Mr Maggie's Diary
- Thread starter Magpie
- Start date
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- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
That’s the thing though- I don’t think he was really using this dodgy one this last week.
Obviously I don’t see him all that much but the couple of times I’ve seen him in the morning he had filled his ok pouch but had very little if anything in the dodgy one. (Which is good in one way but not very reassuring in another as it’s not like he over stuffed it and caused stress… that I can tell)
Waiting game.
Obviously I don’t see him all that much but the couple of times I’ve seen him in the morning he had filled his ok pouch but had very little if anything in the dodgy one. (Which is good in one way but not very reassuring in another as it’s not like he over stuffed it and caused stress… that I can tell)
Waiting game.
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- 115
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- 257
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- 598
He is so cute! How old is he?
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
Thank you. I do think he’s very cute. I especially love the wee black spot he has on his white tummy. If he would just stop turning himself inside out that would be great.
Im not sure how old he is in all honesty!
Up until today we thought he was a she so…
We got him on 15th December so we’ve had him for 2 months. I’m guessing he would probably be 6-8 wks old when sold so would make him around 4 months old now at a guess.
They sold him to us as a
Female and don’t think they actually specified an age. But perhaps I just missed it- they weren’t exactly very convincing about anything they told us though!
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
Well Mr Maggie has just got up for the night. Eaten his fresh veg and picked out the freeze dried chicken from his bowl and gone back into his MCH for a bit.
He seems a bit miffed that his beloved sand has been replaced by boring old paper bedding.
Wound actually looks drier and neater than this stage last time. Vet said he took away a little skin to make better clean edges for closing. So hope it makes a difference
He seems a bit miffed that his beloved sand has been replaced by boring old paper bedding.
Wound actually looks drier and neater than this stage last time. Vet said he took away a little skin to make better clean edges for closing. So hope it makes a difference
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
I stayed up for a bit after he had made his brief appearance last night and promptly fell asleep on the couch! When I woke up again he was busy on his wheel. He hopped out when he saw me and took a couple of seeds to munch.
My husband was up before me this morning and saw Mr Maggie having a drink and collecting his last bits and bobs before heading down into his burrow. He was only stuffing the one undamaged cheek. Probably still pretty tender after yesterday but hopefully he will just be careful with it from now on... and not over fill the other one and create a whole new problem! (I am a catastrophiser... not sure if you could tell! )
I noticed this morning that he has continued to use the corner of his sandbath (filled with paper for the time being) for a pee. Glad I thought to do it that way this time rather than remove the box as I did last week.
Have ordered a bag of Mixerama Syrian Seed Mix to try. He does seem very picky! He loves the freeze dired chicken in the Hammykins and picks that out straight away to eat every time. I wonder if I can get a small pack from somewhere to add in as a treat once the bag is finished...
My husband was up before me this morning and saw Mr Maggie having a drink and collecting his last bits and bobs before heading down into his burrow. He was only stuffing the one undamaged cheek. Probably still pretty tender after yesterday but hopefully he will just be careful with it from now on... and not over fill the other one and create a whole new problem! (I am a catastrophiser... not sure if you could tell! )
I noticed this morning that he has continued to use the corner of his sandbath (filled with paper for the time being) for a pee. Glad I thought to do it that way this time rather than remove the box as I did last week.
Have ordered a bag of Mixerama Syrian Seed Mix to try. He does seem very picky! He loves the freeze dired chicken in the Hammykins and picks that out straight away to eat every time. I wonder if I can get a small pack from somewhere to add in as a treat once the bag is finished...
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I think that's a perfectly reasonable thing to worry about 
That he might overstuff his good pouch. However I don't think he will - they instinctively know how much they can get in a pouch -and they can get a lot! But I am not surprised it has made you worry as the prolapsed pouch is unusual and has been a worry. I think once that is healed and better, everything will settle down. We are all like anxious new Mums with a first hamster!
It can be quite hard to get hold of freeze dried chicken pieces that are suitable. There have been a few threads on this and it seems to be raw freeze dried chicken mostly, which probably isn't a good idea. I did come across one that was cooked freeze dried chicken but it was only available in a large amount and very expensive.. And considering the shelf life isn't that long - and it's ridiculously expensive that way.
I wouldn't worry though - they just love whatever particular special thing is offered at the time Usually it's a beeline for the fresh veg daily first. They love any fresh food usually or anything meaty. They love egg as well!
That he might overstuff his good pouch. However I don't think he will - they instinctively know how much they can get in a pouch -and they can get a lot! But I am not surprised it has made you worry as the prolapsed pouch is unusual and has been a worry. I think once that is healed and better, everything will settle down. We are all like anxious new Mums with a first hamster!It can be quite hard to get hold of freeze dried chicken pieces that are suitable. There have been a few threads on this and it seems to be raw freeze dried chicken mostly, which probably isn't a good idea. I did come across one that was cooked freeze dried chicken but it was only available in a large amount and very expensive.. And considering the shelf life isn't that long - and it's ridiculously expensive that way.
I wouldn't worry though - they just love whatever particular special thing is offered at the time
Usually it's a beeline for the fresh veg daily first. They love any fresh food usually or anything meaty. They love egg as well!
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
Thanks Maz- that's helpful to know about the chicken. I did give him a little bit of boiled egg a couple of weeks ago. I just need to remember to save him a corner whenever I boil eggs now. I think its safe to say he loves the meaty bits he can find best!
Unfortunately even when there was egg or corned beef sitting waiting for him of an evening (which both smell very strongly) it never encouraged him out of his lair at a more 'sociable' time!
I'm definitely a worrier but just have to try and stay positive and hope that the repair holds this time. Its such a strange thing- one I hope never happens again to me or anyone else!
Unfortunately even when there was egg or corned beef sitting waiting for him of an evening (which both smell very strongly) it never encouraged him out of his lair at a more 'sociable' time!
I'm definitely a worrier but just have to try and stay positive and hope that the repair holds this time. Its such a strange thing- one I hope never happens again to me or anyone else!
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
He certainly seems happy enough I think.The good thing is, he seems happy
Nothing so far brings him above the surface before 1am! Broccoli,
Baby corn, red pepper, celery, carrot, blueberry- no result!
I’ve managed to get a good look at his wound tonight and there are definitely more stitches in than last time. Hopefully that will help.
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
Mr Maggie has been seen a little more than usual the last couple of days! 
He’s still been up and about before heading down his tunnel to bed after 8am so the kids have actually been able to see him for once!
Last 2 afternoons/early evenings he has popped his head out of his tunnel as I’ve been sorting things or changing food/water etc. He didn’t come out but just him poking his head out to see what’s happening is progress (I think!)
So far his wound still looks good
He has been better at using his toilet spots in the MCH and corner of his sand box (this is just filled with paper at the moment until wound has healed so I can actually see the colour on the white paper!) The pink pee was bothering me again so I did another 2 days of removing the dried beetroot and red vegetables to be absolutely sure it’s food related. Confident now beyond any doubt that the beetroot and red vegetables are definitely the cause! Normal pee has resumed (again!).
If anything it’s maybe a blessing as as much as I love the look and smell of the Hammykins it is expensive and he leaves a lot of it behind! Waiting on the new pack of Mixerama arriving and hope we have more luck with this!
He’s still been up and about before heading down his tunnel to bed after 8am so the kids have actually been able to see him for once!
Last 2 afternoons/early evenings he has popped his head out of his tunnel as I’ve been sorting things or changing food/water etc. He didn’t come out but just him poking his head out to see what’s happening is progress (I think!)
So far his wound still looks good
He has been better at using his toilet spots in the MCH and corner of his sand box (this is just filled with paper at the moment until wound has healed so I can actually see the colour on the white paper!) The pink pee was bothering me again so I did another 2 days of removing the dried beetroot and red vegetables to be absolutely sure it’s food related. Confident now beyond any doubt that the beetroot and red vegetables are definitely the cause! Normal pee has resumed (again!).
If anything it’s maybe a blessing as as much as I love the look and smell of the Hammykins it is expensive and he leaves a lot of it behind! Waiting on the new pack of Mixerama arriving and hope we have more luck with this!
- Messages
- 22,969
- Reaction score
- 27,342
- Points
- 1,373
His little face He seems like a happy, laid back little boy really considering he's had all these vet visits and isn't completely freaked
I think whichever mix, they do tend to not take all of it and that's fairly normal. The only time Higgins ever pouched ALL of his food was after he got very anxious after his first spot clean, and then it wasn't that nice to see - he became a bit obsessive, pouching everything in sight in case it disappeared, but he settled down again. They mainly eat from their hoards so as the hoard gets bigger, they just take some of the food to add to it. That doesn't mean putting less out though, because they still need to forage daily and can get anxious if there's not enough. I just keep adding the new daily and if it starts to pile up I throw what's remaining after a couple of days when putting the new out. Which is partly why I only partly scatter feed! Because the cage ended up with food everywhere!
He seems like a happy, laid back little boy really considering he's had all these vet visits and isn't completely freaked I think whichever mix, they do tend to not take all of it and that's fairly normal. The only time Higgins ever pouched ALL of his food was after he got very anxious after his first spot clean, and then it wasn't that nice to see - he became a bit obsessive, pouching everything in sight in case it disappeared, but he settled down again. They mainly eat from their hoards so as the hoard gets bigger, they just take some of the food to add to it. That doesn't mean putting less out though, because they still need to forage daily and can get anxious if there's not enough. I just keep adding the new daily and if it starts to pile up I throw what's remaining after a couple of days when putting the new out. Which is partly why I only partly scatter feed! Because the cage ended up with food everywhere!
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
He came flying out of his cactus to see me when I opened the door and came over to get his treats. But he was a little but jumpy after that… I think maybe because my husband was still up! Mr Maggie is pretty edgy if anyone else is there other than just me.
I think all things considered as you say though he’s actually remarkably chilled out. He’s had a bit of a rough start. I do find he has a particularly flighty night every few days- no idea why
Oh poor Higgins! I do hear mr Maggie eating underground actually now you say that and that makes sense that once they have built up a stash they don’t need to take as much to top it up daily. I feel Like he always leaves the same things behind in his bowl though and I end up throwing it away after a couple of days.
The mixerama arrived this afternoon so I’ve shoved it in the freezer for now. I think I’ll persevere with the Hammykins since I have it and then swap over gradually once it’s getting to be nearly finished. No point in wasting what’s paid for and open. I think he quite liked looking for food when scattered but while
He’s recovering I decided just to put his food in a bowl to try and keep him resting a little more. Not sure if that even makes a difference but it means I can see what he’s eating/taking which is helpful.
Noticing he is not very interested in his millet sprays but loves the sorghum and broom corn.
Mr Maggie is pretty edgy if anyone else is there other than just me. I think all things considered as you say though he’s actually remarkably chilled out. He’s had a bit of a rough start. I do find he has a particularly flighty night every few days- no idea why
Oh poor Higgins! I do hear mr Maggie eating underground actually now you say that and that makes sense that once they have built up a stash they don’t need to take as much to top it up daily. I feel Like he always leaves the same things behind in his bowl though and I end up throwing it away after a couple of days.
The mixerama arrived this afternoon so I’ve shoved it in the freezer for now. I think I’ll persevere with the Hammykins since I have it and then swap over gradually once it’s getting to be nearly finished. No point in wasting what’s paid for and open. I think he quite liked looking for food when scattered but while
He’s recovering I decided just to put his food in a bowl to try and keep him resting a little more. Not sure if that even makes a difference
but it means I can see what he’s eating/taking which is helpful. Noticing he is not very interested in his millet sprays but loves the sorghum and broom corn.
- Messages
- 115
- Reaction score
- 257
- Points
- 598
He is so photogenic! What a cutie!
- Messages
- 125
- Reaction score
- 184
- Points
- 78
Mr Maggie made an appearance at 9pm tonight and caught me off guard while
Catching up on the GB men’s curling!
Think he was just on a shopping trip though. I stupidly gave him his wee bit of cucumber rather than leaving it for later and I think he ate half of it and pouched the other.
He then just collected up a load of food in his good pouch and went straight back down his tunnel.
I am concerned that I think I saw a slight bulge in his wound/stitches. It’s not red like previous prolapses but I definitely have a sinking feeling. Think it’s happening again.
This is day 5 post-second op. Waiting up to see if I can get a better look when he’s properly up for the night around about 1am. It was looking perfect yesterday and I was starting to relax a little…
experience has taught me as soon as I feel a little uneasy then there’s usually something to it.
Working at 8am… tomorrow will be caffeinated!
Please be ok Mr Maggie!
Photo just because he’s beautiful… (taken before I noticed any change in his stitches tonight. )
Catching up on the GB men’s curling!
Think he was just on a shopping trip though. I stupidly gave him his wee bit of cucumber rather than leaving it for later and I think he ate half of it and pouched the other.
He then just collected up a load of food in his good pouch and went straight back down his tunnel.
I am concerned that I think I saw a slight bulge in his wound/stitches. It’s not red like previous prolapses but I definitely have a sinking feeling. Think it’s happening again.
This is day 5 post-second op. Waiting up to see if I can get a better look when he’s properly up for the night around about 1am. It was looking perfect yesterday and I was starting to relax a little…
experience has taught me as soon as I feel a little uneasy then there’s usually something to it.Working at 8am… tomorrow will be caffeinated!
Please be ok Mr Maggie!
Photo just because he’s beautiful… (taken before I noticed any change in his stitches tonight. )
- Messages
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- Reaction score
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- Points
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Oh no - worrying for you. Maybe he had pouched some food in it. I was thinking maybe it would be better to hand feed him until his pouch has healed. Although that might not help as they can still pouch food when you hand feed them. I did that once with one Syrian who used to bite. So I stopped putting his food in his cage for a while and fed him out of the cage, hand feeding with a glove on until he got used to hands and touch and stopped biting. Which did work. However, it may not be any different if he still pouches the food!