Raffy (Syrian Hamster)

[Maz]

So back to Raffy. He is definitely slowing down and looking older. He had a bit of an off night last week some time where he seemed a bit skitty and not quite himself. He's on Metacam. About three nights ago was really quite active and perky and cheeky and started using his wheel under the coffee table. It's noticeable that when he's been out, he is not using the wheels any more usually. A couple of times he'd sit on the saucer but not run on it. But he still wanders round the room as before and goes to all his favourite places.

I missed letting him out on Friday as had an early night. On Saturday night he was waiting at the door to come out and free roaming a bit. Sunday was a bit hectic and I didn't go to let him out till about midnight. He wasn't out in his cage and didn't come when I called. Which I tried a few times. I lifted the house roof and he still didn't come out. So I was getting a bit worried then and took his house and quite a bit of bedding out to try and find him. It turns out he was just asleep and popped his head up. Clearly decided I must have gone to bed and wasn't going to let him out. So he then came out for a bit then and ate a bit of porridge. He had one eye stuck closed so I bathed that which he absolutely hated. He doesn't sit still at the best of times so I had to wrap him in a blanket to do it - he got a paw free and batted my hand out of the way. I gave up eventually, but the eye was open tonight so it must have worked.

Tonight he came out for a drink about 9pm and went back to bed. But wasn't out and about to let out later or for food. So he definitely seems to be slowing down and needing to sleep more. I'm going to start putting the veg out much earlier in the evening if he's going to be waking up early and going back to bed.

So it's one day at a time at the moment. He might have a sudden burst of energy again and then have a couple of tired nights again. Normally he is out and sitting under his shelf washing and then comes to the door when I go to let him out.

He is two and a half so he's a very old little man. He still has his active personality but perhaps age is catching up with him. I really missed him not being out and about in his cage tonight, sitting under his shelf having a wash.

I called him a few times and he didn't come out so I went to bed. I just watched the nightcam on my phone in bed though and he was out and whizzing round his cage and eating everything! Maybe he's just avoiding me tonight because I bathed his eye last night

Anyway, he's given me the odd anxious moment recently, but I think he's ok. See if he wants to come out tomorrow.

 

[elusive]

Raffy is such a great age & still doing so well for his age, it’s always a bit of a worrying time & a time of mixed emotions when they really begin to show signs of age but he still sounds like a happy ham enjoying life, if at a slightly slower pace.
It does sound as though the metacam gave him a bit of a boost & adapting your routine to suit taking it one day at a time is the best way to go.

 

[Helens hamster]

Oh bless him Maz! He looks soo gorgeous! Well, he’s still standing on his own two feet and knows what he wants eh? I’m glad that he is ok and still managing to get around. As you say it is one step at a time. Enjoy every moment! It’s precious

 

[Socks' Mum]

Raffy knows you love him. He must have had his doubts about people at the beginning, but you two are tight friends. We know exactly what to expect from love, but our hearts gets broken anyway, into so many pieces. I hope you have plenty of time together still. Enjoy, we will understand if you need time. Go easy on yourself.

 

[Maz]

Aw thank you all. Yes Helen he knows what he wants .

Hopefully I’ll see him tonight . If not himself, then on the nightcam

 

[Maz]

I had a good look at last night's nightcam and he seems fine. Either he's going deaf or he's avoiding me Almost as soon as I had gone upstairs, he was out in his cage and roaming around and eating his food. I had seen this on the nightcam upstairs (and had forgotten to turn the light off downstairs), so went downstairs again to see if he wanted to come out and no sign of him again. He was up again about 4am doing various bits of wandering around, digging, visiting his treat pot, and a couple of 10 second bursts on his wheel. So he's clearly slowing down but still active.

 

[Jain]

I had a good look at last night's nightcam and he seems fine. Either he's going deaf or he's avoiding me Almost as soon as I had gone upstairs, he was out in his cage and roaming around and eating his food. I had seen this on the nightcam upstairs (and had forgotten to turn the light off downstairs), so went downstairs again to see if he wanted to come out and no sign of him again. He was up again about 4am doing various bits of wandering around, digging, visiting his treat pot, and a couple of 10 second bursts on his wheel. So he's clearly slowing down but still active.

Bless him he is doing things his way in his time to his routine when he wants such a character Raffy

 

[Maz]

Thanks Jain.

 

[Maz]

I do think Raffy might have gone deaf. He didn’t come out at feeding time tonight either, or when I called him later. I was up late though as finishing setting up Tino’s new cage to move him in and was making quite a bit of noise doing that. So maybe that woke Raffy up, but around midnight he came to the door wanting to come out - still with a very full pouch on one side!

Tonight he seems perfectly back to normal while out - nippy, moving well - using the wheel and saucer - free roaming without any signs of weakness.

I’m guessing the Metacam is helping - or he just has good days and not so good days.

 

[Helens hamster]

Glad he’s ok

 

[Socks' Mum]

Great news, glad he's doing well!

 

[Maz]

Raffy up and about again tonight. Having his wash under his shelf. But I’m sure he’s gone deaf. He doesn’t respond to my voice or his name being called at all now. Which makes it tricky getting him back when he’s out free roaming.

He has always perked up and looked up when you call his name. Big change.

But he seems perfectly active and healthy and using his wheel again.

I nearly forgot - last night he was on his house roof looking daggers at Tino’s new cage. Maybe because I was talking to Tino as he explored.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Oh Raffy, don't be jealous of Tino, Mom loves you both!

 

[Maz]

Here's Raffy last night He seems back to normal - roaming and running on his wheel and saucer under the coffee table and seems quite active. His back legs aren't quite right but he's still running!

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[ponyo]

RAFFY!
how lovely and adorable he is
what is the diameter of the flying saucer? It looks so big

 

[Maz]

It's a 30cm one Just for out of cage time. He is looking adorable on that video isn't he? A week ago he wasn't quite so active and now he is again.

 

[Helens hamster]

Here's Raffy last night He seems back to normal - roaming and running on his wheel and saucer under the coffee table and seems quite active. His back legs aren't quite right but he's still running!

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Oh he’s soo gorgeous. He looks tiny in that flying saucer

 

[Maz]

He has always been quite small

 

[Steve]

It's great to see little Raffy on his saucer, what a lovely video. Looking good little man

 

[ilguy]

Here's Raffy last night He seems back to normal - roaming and running on his wheel and saucer under the coffee table and seems quite active. His back legs aren't quite right but he's still running!

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Aw, so great to see him giving the saucer a good go. They do look odd, but who cares? Raffy is still a lovely old man