Snowy

[Banned Member 1]

Snowy was so good about taking her metacam. She also tolerated the ear drops pretty well. I have made her a temporary layout that's mostly level and should make it a bit easier to find her twice a day for medication. She still has her MCH under the bedding which is her favourite place to sleep now I think. I removed all her food hoard and switched to bowl feeding. This will make it easier to monitor her food intake.

 

[Banned Member 1]

Hospital layout for a poorly girl

 

[Maz]

That's good she's taking the Metacam. Personally I wouldn't remove all hoard as it could start other stress behaviours. I don't think we can every monitor their food intake really. They tend to hoard most of what they take from the food bowl and eat from their hoards as and when. Might be an idea to put a handful of new food back where her hoard was, to avoid other stress behaviours. I'm not sure how dwarfs react, but Syrians can get very protective and territorial, get stressy and start peeing on their food if their hoard is gone.

 

[RainbowBrite]

It is such a relief for you that she will take her medication. That is one less stress for you both.

 

[Banned Member 1]

That's good she's taking the Metacam. Personally I wouldn't remove all hoard as it could start other stress behaviours. I don't think we can every monitor their food intake really. They tend to hoard most of what they take from the food bowl and eat from their hoards as and when. Might be an idea to put a handful of new food back where her hoard was, to avoid other stress behaviours. I'm not sure how dwarfs react, but Syrians can get very protective and territorial, get stressy and start peeing on their food if their hoard is gone.

Unfortunately I've already got rid of it and completely changed up the area where her hoard was stored. It isn't something I'd do normally

 

[RainbowBrite]

It cannot be helped. Snowy may not even mind. Hamsters are all different so please do not feel bad. You were only trying to help Snowy.

 

[Maz]

Unfortunately I've already got rid of it and completely changed up the area where her hoard was stored. It isn't something I'd do normally

Don't worry. You can still add a handful of food near where she's nesting - I tend to do it just next to the nest or partly under it. Always gives them a nice surprise!

 

[Banned Member 1]

I have just put some pellets around the enclosure in addition to her spoon of Bunny Nature in her bowl. She actually really likes Science Selective and it'll let her have a little bit of food spare.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I am sure she will be happy with that.

 

[Banned Member 1]

I contacted her previous owner today to get a more accurate idea of her age and apparently she is much younger than I thought. She was bought as a kids christmas present december 2021 so is probably only about 14 months old...

 

[RainbowBrite]

I contacted her previous owner today to get a more accurate idea of her age and apparently she is much younger than I thought. She was bought as a kids christmas present december 2021 so is probably only about 14 months old...

Aww. Its nice you have an idea of her age. It is so lucky you found her.

 

[Banned Member 1]

They had another hamster in a separate cage so I suspect they got a pair and they fell out and had to be separated. I really hope she pulls through, given she's not that old really, but rodent mill hybrids often don't get long

 

[RainbowBrite]

They had another hamster in a separate cage so I suspect they got a pair and they fell out and had to be separated. I really hope she pulls through, given she's not that old really, but rodent mill hybrids often don't get long

There is every chance Snowy will make a full recovery.

I bet you are right about the falling out. Did they keep the other hamster?

 

[Banned Member 1]

There is every chance Snowy will make a full recovery.

I bet you are right about the falling out. Did they keep the other hamster?

afaik yes, and they were encouraged to get a more suitable enclosure and setup

 

[RainbowBrite]

afaik yes, and they were encouraged to get a more suitable enclosure and setup

Good for you encouraging them to get a more suitable set up.

 

[Maz]

I'm sure she'll be fine after she's had chance to settle and has a new routine and has her meds.

 

[Zara]

So sorry to hear Snowy is unwell, I hope the metcam and ear drops help and she starts to seem more herself. It’s good that she’s been ok about taking it. Wishing her well.

 

[Banned Member 1]

Just a quick update: Snowy is still very wobbly. She's being very good about being woken up and given medication as much as she obviously dislikes the whole process. She is still trying to explore her enclosure and is taking the nuggets that I leave around. Mentally she seems 'all there', obviously still wanting to do her usual hamster things even though it's a struggle.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aww, maybe it is still early for Snowy to recover from the ear infection. I think it is very positive she is eating and still trying to explore. How many days medication is left?

 

[Banned Member 1]

Her last day is saturday. I'm wondering about asking the vet if we can try an oral antibiotic if the ear drops and metacam don't help, oral antibiotics seem to be the usual treatment for an ear infection...