Nuggie ❤️

[Nuggie1809]

Hi all! Here's my little Nuggie
She is a 2 year old (we think) Syrian hamster. We rescued her just over a year ago and she has brought me so much joy in that year! She's now starting to slow down and having problems with her teeth. She has lost a bit of weight and isn't getting around as well. I've read the article about caring for elderly hamsters on here and it was so super useful! But any other advice people have especially on setups for elderly hamsters or anything to do with their care would be greatly appreciated! She's my first hamster and my first pet ever so I just want to make sure she's as comfortable as possible and feels loved.
She's currently in the Bucatstate 3.0 (the 120cm one) with very deep bedding (over halfway up - used to use a mix of paper and aspen but have gone to just paper now - bucatstate), the night angel 12inch wheel, a very large deep sand bath, lots of sprays and lots of bridges and hides (filled in with moss to protect toes).
Thanks a lot in advance

 

[Maz]

Hello She is very sweet! Do you know what particular tooth problems she is having? Missing or broken teeth at the front? Front teeth a bit too long? Or front teeth crossing over each other?

If there's nothing visibly obvious then it could be just toothache and difficulty eating hard food - so soft food and supplements needed (as well as the usual hamster mix). It is fairly normal for them to start losing a bit of weight in old age and they can start feeling bonier, but giving softened science selective pellets and "extras" like hemp seeds and linseeds and a bit of porridge, can help them keep up the calories and nutrition if not eating properly and stop losing too much weight.

However it would be good if you can check her teeth (not always easy) as if the front teeth have got too long they can't open their mouths enough to be able to eat properly. You could have a look when she yawns but that could mean waiting a while to catch that! Another test would be to give her something large, like a whole peanut in its shell or some other fairly large nut - and see if she can pick it up in her teeth. Or even a whimzee chew. If she can pick something like that up in her teeth then the front teeth won't have overgrown.

At this age they almost always could do with some pain relief as well - and that can really help. She might have a bit of arthritis in her legs as well. Vets usually prescribe metacam (loxicom) but that would need a vet visit to get it prescribed. They can sometimes have a new lease of life once they're on pain relief

You can give that in a bit of baby food each day as well and that's something else they enjoy.

In terms of her enclosure it sounds like the time to have everything shallow (ramps etc) and low to the substrate. Do you have a photo of her set up and we can make some suggestions?

But I think the first thing I would do is take her to a vet to ask for some pain relief and a checkover. If you can find an exotic vet that's ideal but general vets will prescribe Metacam also.

 

[Vanessa1]

Welcome to the forum Nuggie is beautiful, she has a lovely cute face . There are a few members on here with older hamsters and I'm sure they will be able to give you some advice. Looking forward to hearing more about Nuggie teddy and Ness

 

[Socks' Mum]

Hello little Nuggie, beautiful girl. You are a lucky, well cared for hammy

 

[Maz]

I just saw from your reply to the welcome message, that she has had regular vet checks recently. Did any of them prescribe metacam? I do think it could improve her quality of life.