Mr Maggie's Diary

[Magpie]

Thanks Maz.

I’ll put a bit more baby food out later on tonight so it’s fresher. Maybe I soaked the pellets too soon as he won’t be up until late?

I’ve taken some of the pellets away and just left 6 (unless this is still too much?) they are formed but the consistency of mushy weetabix if pressed between fingers.

So he should be ok with just some soaked science selective and a teaspoon of baby food per evening?

They gave me no pain relief for him- he’s never been given any before either? I can phone in the morning and see if they will give him some?

I’ve ordered those jars of Hiip- it’s the same as the one I found in Asda but better value for the 6 pack and should cover most of the 2 Weeks that way.

Maybe the lotus root isnt a good idea for now then? Should I take his sprays out too? Leave the pagima grass but take away the sorghum/broom corn?

His enclosure is in the sitting room where it’s always cozy and I’ve had the heating on extra so it’s lovely and warm in here for him.

 

[Maz]

Main thing is to remove anything sharp he could catch his wound on. Yes, if it was me I would phone the vet and ask for some pain relief for him.

 

[Magpie]

There shouldn’t be anything sharp in there for him to catch on.

I am paranoid about there maybe still being hidden sharp bits from the shavings but the only way to know it’s all gone would be to do a full removal of all the bedding and starting again which I know he wouldn’t really enjoy. Certainly not a job for now.

 

[Rescued One]

I'm no expert on that unfortunately, it would maybe be something to discuss with the vet. If it was just baby food they could lack nutrients if it's for a week say, softened pellets might be ok if it's a tiny amount. Tino still pouches those! But he only has 3 pellets.

I would consider OxBow Omnivore Critical Critical Care https://oxbowanimalhealth.com/product/critical-care-omnivore/ mixed with a glass jar fruit and veggie baby food until the pouch issue is totally resolved. You might put a few Mazuri rat pellets in the enclosure for dental maintenance (they're huge and very few hammies will pouch a whole one, but will nibble the hard nuggets

 

[Magpie]

I would consider OxBow Omnivore Critical Critical Care https://oxbowanimalhealth.com/product/critical-care-omnivore/ mixed with a glass jar fruit and veggie baby food until the pouch issue is totally resolved. You might put a few Mazuri rat pellets in the enclosure for dental maintenance (they're huge and very few hammies will pouch a whole one, but will nibble the hard nuggets

Thank you- I will have a look at that and see if I can get some.

Do you know How much I would need to feed him daily? Would you mix it with water plus the baby purée?

He has a whimzee which he chews on- will that be enough? He normally has sticks which he loves to chi re on but I’ve taken them out for now.

 

[Magpie]

I’ve just come back downstairs from having a shower and he’s been up and all 6 soaked science selective pellets have gone from his dish!

Obviously I didn’t see him so can’t say if he ate them all or took some away for later.

Should I put any more soaked pellets in for later tonight or just some baby purée?

 

[Maz]

I have seen the critical care mentioned, but it's not usually recommended for post surgery in the Uk - maybe for a sick hamster with some other condition though.

 

[Maz]

I’ve just come back downstairs from having a shower and he’s been up and all 6 soaked science selective pellets have gone from his dish!

Obviously I didn’t see him so can’t say if he ate them all or took some away for later.

Should I put any more soaked pellets in for later tonight or just some baby purée?

I'd put some baby food out now - maybe a teaspoon. Then at bedtime, maybe some porridge on a teaspoon.

 

[Magpie]

I'd put some baby food out now - maybe a teaspoon. Then at bedtime, maybe some porridge on a teaspoon.

Thanks Maz. Will do that- so just a teaspoon portion of porridge?

I don’t have a microwave so is soaking the oats in hot water enough or will I need to cook in a pan and cool?

Do you mean for me to offer him it on a teaspoon or leave that amount in there?

Sorry- 20 questions!

Should I then keep this as a sort of routine? (5/6 soaked SS pellets, then baby food and porridge)

I’m not sure he takes any food during the day- but should there always be a couple of soaked pellets available for him through the day as well as at night when I know he definitely visits his dish?

 

[Maz]

I think those sound ok for now. Tricky if you don't have a microwave - I used to make it in a mug in the microwave. It would be difficult to make up a small portion in a cup. Maybe get some instant porridge or readybrek that can just be made with boiled water?

 

[Rescued One]

I’ve just come back downstairs from having a shower and he’s been up and all 6 soaked science selective pellets have gone from his dish!

Obviously I didn’t see him so can’t say if he ate them all or took some away for later.

Should I put any more soaked pellets in for later tonight or just some baby purée?

It's not either or; soak the pellets in a 50/50 water/puree mix

 

[Rescued One]

Thank you- I will have a look at that and see if I can get some.

Do you know How much I would need to feed him daily? Would you mix it with water plus the baby purée?

He has a whimzee which he chews on- will that be enough? He normally has sticks which he loves to chi re on but I’ve taken them out for now.

The whimzee should be fine for now.

 

[Rescued One]

I have seen the critical care mentioned, but it's not usually recommended for post surgery in the Uk - maybe for a sick hamster with some other condition though.

I agree I wouldn't use it all the time, but if the objective is soft food diet while healing, it is nutritionally complete and mixes well with baby food. Seems Mr. M has solved the debate for us by accepting the soaked Science Diet pellets

 

[Maz]

The whimzee should be fine for now.

Actually he might try and pouch the whimzee

 

[Magpie]

Actually he might try and pouch the whimzee

It’s a croc one… so quite big?

 

[Maz]

Well hopefully he wouldn't try and pouch that! But personally I'd leave it out for now.

 

[Magpie]

Will do- how long for would you say?

How long before not chewing/gnawing might create a dental issue?

 

[Maz]

He'll be fine for a couple of weeks

 

[Maz]

Keeping him to soft foods for a couple of weeks seems the way to go.

 

[Magpie]

I do have a lotus root or a slice of loofah that I could put in if those were a safe alternative for the whimzee just now?

Or just leave them out too?

The loofah is actually perhaps a bit scratchy so think that’s a no go just now.