old age or dying?

[holaskye]

my hamster is 2 and a half years old, she's a Syrian girl and has always been super healthy with good diets and a big cage that has always been full with toys, baths and places to burrow etc, past 2-4 months she's been showing signs of old age but around 3 days ago I cleaned her cage and saw her wobbling alot more harshly than usual.. since then I've been keeping a close eye to see how I can make aging more peaceful for her. it seems like she cant drink water unless I hold her and put water on my hand, she doesnt eat much anymore and doesnt burrow either. her ears havent gone up in a few weeks and she cant keep her head up independently.. it feels like she needs my attention 24/7 and she is unsafe without someone there because she's falling over constantly, always cold to the touch and cant do daily hygiene tasks.

when I search it up its talking about respiratory issues, she does show some symptoms and I've asked my mother to call the vet yesterday.
im only 16 so I cant do alot to help her without my mother's help, but getting to know the problem is always going to help.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Yes, a visit to the vet is required, but she does seem to be quite unwell. It's really great that you are taking such good care of her. The vet might give her an antibiotic which could help her as an infection may be the cause of her being weak. It's worth trying the medication from the vet, so a vet visit is a good thing.

 

[Maz]

Hello there I'm so sorry to hear your hammy is having issues. To answer the question it sounds like a bit of both - old age and nearing her time. She is a really grand age at two and a half. That's about the equivalent of 100 years old in human years

As they get older, various organs don't work as properly and while they keep soldiering on, as hamsters do, it sounds like she might be suffering if her ears are down all the time, and she's not able to drink independently.

Have you tried a water dish nearer to her nest, rather than a bottle? It would need to be very small and very shallow so she can't fall in it or get too wet. Something like a little Ikea Glasig tea light holder is ideal. But usually it's best not to put it directly on the bedding or it can get bits in and get contaminated, or tip over more easily.

It would be best not to do any more cleaning as that can stress them. When they're like this is best to just fudge that a bit and keep them comfortable and free from stress.

So the usual thing when they get older and not managing, is remove any levels so she can't fall, and move food and water closer to where she is sleeping. Older hamsters usually need some pain relief (vets prescribe Metacam), and that can give them a bit of a new lease for a while, but it depends what is going on with her.