Sick hamster

[ham_0u]

Pookie sounds like he has selective tastes I think anything chicken flavoured (eg baby foods or the one you use) is usually popular! Salad leaves aren't the most nutritious or best for digestion, and tomato is technically a fruit - but cucumber, broccoli, beans and peas are all fine. Spinach in moderation. Does he like cucumber? they all seem to!

Yes, he has liked cucumber and broccoli a lot. I only gave him some tomatoes to see if he would eat anything, I am a little desperate haha.
He has been eating the chicken baby food, only leaving a bit behind.
I'll go out soon to buy him more veggies to eat.
He also loves yogurt but I don't feed it to him too often because I'm worried he will have diarrhea, but so far his poops always look very normal.

 

[Maz]

@ilguy on here may have some tips - he has an elderly russian dwarf hamster

 

[ilguy]

It sounds like you're already doing most of what I have to keep my old man's weight up. 35 g is almost underweight, understand the concern. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is his kidneys, they could be starting to go at his age. How is his drinking, and if you know his pee spot is there any change? If it's more concentrated and pungent than normal that's a good indicator, also if he's going noticably less .

I would also make sure he has good water, I've lost hamsters in the past to unsafe water in my area and had to get my little guy bottled water for his health.

Otherwise, I do what you're already doing. Supplement his diet as much as possible with what he will eat. He's currently tired of mealworms and on a big pumpkin seed kick. Offering something he hasn't had before might help too (which you've already done a few times).

You're doing a great job based on your posts, I really hope you can find a vet if possible. I don't know if it's a thing but maybe you can find one that does virtual appointments? Would be better than nothing

 

[ham_0u]

It sounds like you're already doing most of what I have to keep my old man's weight up. 35 g is almost underweight, understand the concern. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is his kidneys, they could be starting to go at his age. How is his drinking, and if you know his pee spot is there any change? If it's more concentrated and pungent than normal that's a good indicator, also if he's going noticably less .

I would also make sure he has good water, I've lost hamsters in the past to unsafe water in my area and had to get my little guy bottled water for his health.

Otherwise, I do what you're already doing. Supplement his diet as much as possible with what he will eat. He's currently tired of mealworms and on a big pumpkin seed kick. Offering something he hasn't had before might help too (which you've already done a few times).

You're doing a great job based on your posts, I really hope you can find a vet if possible. I don't know if it's a thing but maybe you can find one that does virtual appointments? Would be better than nothing

He has been peeing as normal from what I can notice and no, I can't smell anything unusual from his pee.
I've always given him bottled water to avoid any risks and change his bottle every week or two, so I doubt it's that.

I've done a few more calls and it seems like a clinic will have an exotic vet coming in next week, so hopefully I can take him there to check.

 

[ham_0u]

I've just gone out and bought a bunch of veggies and a bag of hemp seeds. I gave him some on his usual dish and some of the veggies and he came out to bite some cucumber and gave a couple licks at the seeds, then went back to sleep.

 

[Maz]

It sounds like you're already doing most of what I have to keep my old man's weight up. 35 g is almost underweight, understand the concern. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is his kidneys, they could be starting to go at his age. How is his drinking, and if you know his pee spot is there any change? If it's more concentrated and pungent than normal that's a good indicator, also if he's going noticably less .

I would also make sure he has good water, I've lost hamsters in the past to unsafe water in my area and had to get my little guy bottled water for his health.

Otherwise, I do what you're already doing. Supplement his diet as much as possible with what he will eat. He's currently tired of mealworms and on a big pumpkin seed kick. Offering something he hasn't had before might help too (which you've already done a few times).

You're doing a great job based on your posts, I really hope you can find a vet if possible. I don't know if it's a thing but maybe you can find one that does virtual appointments? Would be better than nothing

His kidneys were mentioned a bit further upthread He is drinking more and I mentioned it's fairly normal for the kidneys to not function as well in older age and for them to drink more.

@ham_0u That is good if you may have found a vet. It is always a difficult thing if they are older and frailer. There isn't a lot vets can do for older hamsters, other than what you're doing now. However, they can prescribe pain medication which many hamsters do need when older (Loxicom/Metacam). They could have arthritis or toothache or pain somewhere else - they're very good at hiding it. So if you do see a vet, I would ask them for some pain relief medication so he stays comfortable.

 

[ham_0u]

His kidneys were mentioned a bit further upthread He is drinking more and I mentioned it's fairly normal for the kidneys to not function as well in older age and for them to drink more.

@ham_0u That is good if you may have found a vet. It is always a difficult thing if they are older and frailer. There isn't a lot vets can do for older hamsters, other than what you're doing now. However, they can prescribe pain medication which many hamsters do need when older (Loxicom/Metacam). They could have arthritis or toothache or pain somewhere else - they're very good at hiding it. So if you do see a vet, I would ask them for some pain relief medication so he stays comfortable.

I've noticed him hunching over more lately but I don't know if it's because he's lost weight. I don't think it's his wheel because it's a nice size and he often used to nap on it.
He still likes wiggling around, whenever I pick him up he still tries to escape and run around my arms.

This is a photo of him when he was healthy, back in march :,) cute chubby boy.
I will take a photo of him as soon as I get him to come out, he's sleeping right now.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Sweet little Pookie Sending you support. Good luck with the vet visit

 

[ham_0u]

This is how he currently looks (his face is a bit wet since I just wiped his eye). He simply spent today sleeping a lot.
It was a little hard to get a good picture since he moved a lot.
Second picture is him last month on the 9th at about 48-50grams, still energetic and generally better.

 

[Maz]

Well he doesn't look excessively thin despite being low weight. Has he been sleeping in his sand bath? Is he normally a bit of a day time hamster then? As it's not abnormal for them to sleep during the day generally I think hot weather really affects them too. It's good he's still enjoying the odd tasty bit of food. They do slow down when they get older as well. He's very sweet

 

[ham_0u]

Yes, he often came out to see me whenever he heard my footsteps or just generally whenever I leave or come home, even during the day.
In that picture I just put him down after cleaning his eye and trying to take a photo and he cleaned himself up a little and laid down for a minute, he seemed more tired than usual and I felt bad for stressing him even further :,(.
I have a fear that he won't make it until next week, he hasn't moved much last night so I doubt he will tonight either.

 

[Maz]

Oh I am sorry. You do sometimes know when something isn't right. If you really think he is that way, then maybe it would be better to hold off on the vet visit. Just keep him comfortable and let him enjoy eating what he enjoys.

Weight loss can mean many things in an older hamster, and if it's not his teeth, there is maybe something going on inside. Maybe some kind of organ failure or some other internal condition. Their lifespan varies a lot, but 18 months is considered average. He knows he is loved.

Just enjoy each day. And sometimes they surprise you and sometimes get active for a while. Also, is it very hot where you are right now?

 

[ham_0u]

I really do hope he will get better but I'm also preparing myself for the worst...
I was thinking about not taking him to the vet too, it's very hot outside and I'm worried taking him there and back would just make it so much worse. He can't stand being outside his cage right now so I can't imagine almost 1+ hour between travel and the actual visit . If I can get someone to give him an online check up I will try.
For now I'll keep an eye on him and let him enjoy some time to rest.

If he stops drinking or eating much do you think I should try syringe feeding him? I don't want him to starve either .
The temperature at home is ok too, we have AC but I'm keeping him far away from it to avoid making him cold.

 

[Maz]

An online check up would be great because then you can get a prescription for metacam. It is a very difficult time, because we don't want them to have prolonged suffering. I think if it gets to the point where he stops eating and drinking, it would be kinder to take him to vet and let them help him on his way. We always hope they will just pass peacefully but sometimes they just hang on and on and if not eating or drinking (or refusing it) then as you say you wouldn't want him to just starve. You could try to see if he will take it from a syringe though.

All you can do is take it one day at a time, and you usually know. But from what you say, he could be near his time. And maybe just wants to be left alone. But see how he goes.

 

[ham_0u]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate all the help :,). I will try my best to monitor his condition and give him the best care as I can.

I'll update in case anything big happens.

 

[Maz]

Is it cool inside?

 

[ham_0u]

Is it cool inside?

It's about 26-27C where he is!

 

[ham_0u]

Planning to bring him to the vet this Tuesday, I'm hoping he will make it through until then.

His eyes are still closed most of the time and I've been cleaning them with a damp cloth. He seemingly has been coming out to eat at night too!
I've also noticed that his cheeks are almost always full so I hope it's just him storing food and not any serious problem.

 

[Maz]

Let us know how you get on 27 degrees is still quite hot so it could be the heat affecting him. Could you maybe put a bag of frozen peas on top of the cage or similar? Also does he have anything ceramic in his cage - eg a cool place to sit? One option can be to use a drinking mug. Leave it in the fridge for a while until it's cold, and then pop it in the cage on its side. A cool hide to sit in. You can rotate two mugs in the fridge so when one stops being cool, you can swap it with the other one.

 

[ham_0u]

Let us know how you get on 27 degrees is still quite hot so it could be the heat affecting him. Could you maybe put a bag of frozen peas on top of the cage or similar? Also does he have anything ceramic in his cage - eg a cool place to sit? One option can be to use a drinking mug. Leave it in the fridge for a while until it's cold, and then pop it in the cage on its side. A cool hide to sit in. You can rotate two mugs in the fridge so when one stops being cool, you can swap it with the other one.

I have his cage on the floor so it's never anywhere too hot. I also have a steel mat and a ceramic hide inside his cage but he's been preferring to stay inside his hide to sleep most of the time.
I used to keep a mini fan and an ice pack around his cage when he was healthy but nowadays I'm worried he would get cold since I'm cleaning his face a lot.