Hammy

[Zara]

Thanks all, he seems brighter tonight already. Strange as when we had those super high 40 temps last year he did not seem so bad, I think it's the humidity this time.

Took the opportunity while he was out tonight to top up the substrate on his nest side ready for him to flop into.

Also took his high bridge walkway away and replaced it with another purple tube. Same as what he has on the right hand side. He's been walking backwards and forwards through the sputnik, think it's got his approval.

Also removed a bendy bridge hide that he rarely used in the base of his cage. It just opens up some space for him to wander about in.

He's gathered food and gone back to bed now.

 

[Zara]

I had a similar fright with Eddie who slept in exactly the same way as Hams!

Now that the weather is improving i expect that Hams will get more active again.
Had to laugh at him plopping onto the substrate as a shortcut.

I guess as we don’t get to see how they actually sleep in their nests, maybe they do sleep on their backs sometimes. Nice to know they feel relaxed and comfy to do this in an open area or they were just too hot to care

 

[Maz]

He'll love those changes. It sounds like he approves already

 

[Zara]

Hi all, I'm really struggling to figure out if Hams is feeling poorly or just a bit of old age. Is it fair to think that if his ears are low to his head and not rising he is likely not feeling himself

He is still eating, drinking, weeing, pooing all as normal. He still mushes about in his sandbath too. He's only coming out once every 3 days I'd say and it's for a very short time before he asks to go back.

I'm going to call the Exotic Vet tomorrow see what they think. Wondering now if there was more to the tail prob then just a benign lump. He was such a good boy with it all but seems to have just not been himself since

Would he be squeaking or making some noise if he was in pain or just trooping on? He still loves having long strokes when he's out. But when he's had enough, he just kinda looks over at me and then returns to his bed.

 

[Maz]

I'm really sorry to hear that. If his ears are down all the time, then yes it can be a sign they are in pain. Now there are times when it's normal for their ears to be down - like when they've just woken up and they can be down for 10 or 15 minutes before they go up again. But if they are down all the time then yes it's a sign of pain or discomfort.

They are a prey species so they are very good at hiding pain and wouldn't normally squeak or show it. They hide it so they don't look like prey - ie weak or vulnerable.

I'm guessing you decided against that op for the lump on the tail and maybe that was for the best.

Have you tried him out of the cage for a while to see how he is? ie if he perks up or gets active at all?

 

[Zara]

Hi Maz, his ears raise very slightly when out of his cage for a bit but he's just slowed down so rapidly over the last few weeks and he'll come out some nights pick up some treats and then just seems to think nah, I wanna go back home. It's just so different as he was always so active when out.

I had the lump on his tail removed, but he's just not been the same since. We went back for a check up and the vet was pleased wt the healing but he'd lost some weight in-between which he said to keep an eye on as he couldn't feel any other lumps or bumps in him.

The vet trips have proved difficult as getting him out his bed these days in the early afternoon is almost impossible but I need to take him again. The ears are telling me he's not happy.

 

[Maz]

Oh I didn't realise you'd gone ahead with the op. How long has it been now? If he's lost some weight you could give him some high calorie treats like pecan nuts and shelled hemp seeds. I get the shelled hemp seeds when they're a bit off colour as they're easier to eat - they're kind of fluffy and they just lick them up. The standard hemp seeds are small and hard. They are supposed to contain all the vitamins and minerals needed and be high calorie strangely. Amazon sell them or you can get the Linwoods ones from Holland and Barrett.

Is he eating ok?

 

[Maz]

Did the vet prescribe metacam after his op by the way? (Pain relief). He could maybe do with some at his age - he could have all kinds of aches and pains.

 

[Member ID2]

Hams does sound like he could be in discomfort. I'd take him back to the vet for some pain relief to see if that makes any difference. Metacam/Loxicom worked wonders for some of my hamsters when they were old or ill, for a while anyway.

 

[elusive]

I’m really sorry to hear Hams isn’t himself.
Being less active, not coming out so much & just spending more time in the house can all be signs of old age but if his ears are down then it does sound as though he is in some discomfort or pain, they are very good at hiding signs of being unwell or in pain but if the ears are down then there is usually something bothering them.
It may be due to age or related to his tail issue but it does sound as though metacam would help, I would take him back to the vet & discuss it with them.

 

[Zara]

Oh I didn't realise you'd gone ahead with the op. How long has it been now? If he's lost some weight you could give him some high calorie treats like pecan nuts and shelled hemp seeds. I get the shelled hemp seeds when they're a bit off colour as they're easier to eat - they're kind of fluffy and they just lick them up. The standard hemp seeds are small and hard. They are supposed to contain all the vitamins and minerals needed and be high calorie strangely. Amazon sell them or you can get the Linwoods ones from Holland and Barrett.

Is he eating ok?

Hi Maz, the time has just flown by and my mums had an op too so it’s all been a bit manic. (Mums all good, recovering well). The lump on Hams tail started to grow and I was so torn re the op but could tell it was bothering him as he couldn’t really lift his tail up. I had to drive him an hour away to the exotic vet but they are all part of the same vet group as the vet I can walk too. After the op, they gave him metcam which he had for a week. I didn’t have to drive him back for a check up as the vet near me did this and took photos for the exotic vet who’s further away. I’ve called them today to say I need to get him looked at as somethings just not right and they said they’ll speak with the vet and come back latest tomorrow morning going to do his food in a min and will give him another check over.

I give him linseeds which he loves but will get some hemp seeds too. He’s eating ok, still enjoying his veggies each night

 

[Zara]

Thanks Beryl, Elusive, I’ve made the call today to the vet and will definitely be looking to take him back. It could just be a bit of old age, seems like it’s come on really quickly? He’ll still come out for a tiny piece of apple at any time of the day and every couple of days is sitting in his usual spot waiting to come out, it’s just the ears being down, somethings up. Will keep you all informed. Thank you for your kind words and support.

 

[Maz]

I'm sorry - it sounds like you have had a lot on. I hope your Mum is doing ok. It sounds like he needed the surgery. A week of metacam after surgery sounds normal. It maybe he is just getting older and recovery takes longer and he might well benefit from some more metacam. Hope the vet is helpful

 

[elusive]

The signs of old age can come on quite suddenly, they can be up & down as they get older too, perking up then seeming older again.
I hope the vet can help & those ears will be up again soon.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I wish sweet Hams the best of luck at the vets.

 

[Zara]

Thanks all, when I went to feed him tonight he came out to my rustling around and ate up his linseeds, pouched the veggies and then wandered around following my hand as I gave the floor of the cage a little tidy because he's turfed a load of old food bits, poop and old bedding out the door. I gave him some nice strokes and then he headed back to bed, ears still low. I've moved his little forage tray to the back of the cage now so he can have some open floor space near the front and not have to be climbing over things all the time.

 

[Maz]

That's nice he was out and had some strokes

 

[Frida]

Sorry to hear that Hams isn't himself. I hope the vet can help. Sending you and Hams hugs from Albert and me

 

[ilguy]

Hope he's able to make a full recovery, poor hammy. Thanks for taking such good care of him

 

[Zara]

Thanks for all the kind words everyone. Really appreciate them. I’m so confused as to how to help him feel better.

Not so impressed with our vet, seems like I’ve had to chase them daily re Ham, but finally got an appt Monday morning. Could be because the exotic vet is there Monday, so at least no extra journey time.

Ham was out tonight, ears slightly lifted but not normal. Still enjoying his fresh food and a pinch of linseeds each eve. Apprehensive once again about getting him to the vets, but looking forward to having his tail looked at and see what the vet thinks about why is his suddenly moving about so sluggish and slow.