Hammy

[Zara]

He's on 0.1mg. I think it can be increased to 0.2 a day from what the vet said? Perhaps he suggested the 0.1 as he couldn't find anything obvious that was wrong. As long as I know he's comfy and not in pain then I'll happily keep doing what I am now and treasuring all our time spent tog.

 

[Maz]

It might depend on his weight as well. But if it is a low dose it might not be having any effect. I think a phone call should be enough to try the regular dose. Presumably the vet weighed him last time you were there?

 

[elusive]

I’m so sorry Zara, it is hard when they start to decline like this & you feel as though you are beginning to lose them.

I think just having a chat with the vet rather taking Hams in is a good idea, it may be that just a higher dose is needed & could make a difference for him.

Good to hear he’s enjoying his hemp seeds, does he ever have porridge? I find they tend to enjoy that when they’re older.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I am so sorry to hear this. I am sending you a hug.

 

[Frida]

So sorry to hear Hams isn't any better. Sending big hugs to you and Hams.

 

[Zara]

I’m so sorry Zara, it is hard when they start to decline like this & you feel as though you are beginning to lose them.

I think just having a chat with the vet rather taking Hams in is a good idea, it may be that just a higher dose is needed & could make a difference for him.

Good to hear he’s enjoying his hemp seeds, does he ever have porridge? I find they tend to enjoy that when they’re older.

I was thinking of trying him with some porridge. Do you make it up with just a little warm water? I gave him some science selective yesterday that I'd soaked so it's all mushy and he ate all of that overnight. So I was pleased with that as the science selective is one of the more nutritious I think.

Hams only drinks from bottles so I've now got a third one which I've made a make shift holder for to have at his ground level. Will see what he makes of that tonight.

He's just wandered out very slowly for a green pea and a piece of baby corn and gone straight back to his nest. I can hear him nibbling

 

[Zara]

It might depend on his weight as well. But if it is a low dose it might not be having any effect. I think a phone call should be enough to try the regular dose. Presumably the vet weighed him last time you were there?

Yes, he weighed in at 130g so had lost a bit of weight. I spoke with the nurse today who has been helping us and I've a telephone appt early tomorrow morn wt the vet to discuss the medicine dosage.

 

[Maz]

It's normal for them to lose a bit of weight when they get older. And he's still a good weight. I hope the appointment tomorrow is helpful.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I hope the phone appointment goes well. It is wonderful to hear how he enjoyed his treats.

 

[elusive]

I hope the appointment goes well too .

I just make a small amount of porridge with plain water in the microwave, you can also use baby porridge but most enjoy normal porridge.

 

[Maz]

I get lazy with porridge and use the Ella's kitchen baby porridge It has raspberry and strawberry crispy bits in and our hamsters have always gone bananas for it. It makes up more like reddybrek so you just put some in a mug and add some warm kettle water and stir and wait for it to thicken, but I tend to do it fairly runny so it doesn't go too thick. He might like it as a treat when he's elderly

Originally I got it because for some reason the smell of porridge cooking makes me feel a bit sick! But it doesn't have that effect on me making it up this way, and I also find it a bit easier.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ellas-Kitchen-Strawberry-Raspberry-Porridge/dp/B01MXY4EJ2/ref=sr_1_1_f3_0o_morri?crid=3O8LDAIRKEWTK&keywords=ella%27s+kitchen+porridge&qid=1697185548&sprefix=ella%27s+kitchen+porridge%2Caps%2C137&sr=8-1

 

[elusive]

I did use baby porridge for Zak & he really liked it, it was a 5 grain orgainic one I had (no fruit or anything) but the price has gone really high now, and a buckwheat one as well.
I always make it normal thickness, it should be fairly thick once it’s cooled but not solid, if it is a little thick when it cools you can mix in a tiny bit more water.

 

[Maz]

The Ella's kitchen one is organic as well Always reassuring. The buckwheat one sounds interesting - does it have oats in as well as buckwheat?

 

[Zara]

Only just seen these. He wasn’t so keen on porridge but liked the science selective mushed up and warm.

I’m sorry to say though that it’s been a bit of a rubbish week, I spoke to the vet and we decided to stop the medicine as I just couldn’t see any improvement, in fact he appeared to be getting worse. Ham has stopped coming out for a stroll in the evenings and there is very little activity overnight as fresh food and treats left on the upper cage levels are untouched.

Sadly, he has mostly been laying in his nest sleeping, some times I’ve been able to reach him and have been stroking him whilst he’s resting. The last two nights I’ve been disturbing him in there and offering him his water bottle and tiny pieces of cucumber and he’s accepted drank and eaten both.

Today my OH called me at work to let me know Ham was out of his nest and had wee’ed back in his sand tray, before taking a couple of seeds back to his bed. I’ve come home and checked in on him and he’s now sitting back in what I would class as a more normal position, he’s taken a green pea and eaten that and he looks more himself. I‘m really hoping that he may pop his head out to say hi tonight and perhaps it was the medicine making him feel off? I’ve got everything crossed.

 

[elusive]

I’m really sorry Zara, it must be so hard for you to see Hams like this, I know just how harrowing it can be when they are ill, aging or both & you feel quite helpless to do much for them.
I’m sure he really appreciated your help with the drinks & cucumber & felt comforted by you stroking him.

It may be that the meds didn’t suit him, sometimes it’s difficult to know what to do for the best but I do hope he is showing signs of picking up a bit now he’s been off them for a while.

 

[Zara]

Thank you Elusive. I’ve really not known what to do and although it feels like a sad post to write, as so many of you have been through this (some several times) it kinda gives me comfort that I’m trying to do the right things for him. He’s definitely not eating what he was, but moving around today, using his toilet etc feels like a positive.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I am also very sad to read this. You are doing such a wonderful job of caring for Hams.

It is positive he has been more active today.

 

[Maz]

I'm sorry to hear he is failing but glad you've seen a bit of improvement. It's such a difficult time with ups and downs. And no certainty about anything. I would keep an eye out for signs he might be in pain or suffering. Eg if his ears are down all the time or he looks hunched. Even with metacam it can sometimes not be enough if they are in pain.

But you can only take one day at a time and go with your instincts, and he would probably give you a sign if he needed help.

Sometimes this can go on for quite a long time and it's hard to know what to do, but just take one day at a time.

 

[Maz]

Just one other thing to add. And this might sound strange. But if he's having a bad patch, sometimes you just need to say to them - it's ok to go if you want to. There is a bond there and they do kind of hang on for you sometimes. In my opinion. Now I know that sounds strange as it's words - but they can pick up things from your tone perhaps.

 

[Zara]

Thank you Maz, your kind words mean a great deal. I‘m going to check on him in a minute and I’m hoping he may pop out to see me. If not my OH has suggested we do try and lift him out of his house tomorrow eve to check on him and have some strokes/cuddles and make a decision from there if he seems very weak, as it’s hard to tell just looking in on him in his bed