Tino's thread

[Maz]

Thank you. Yes it is in a way but maybe it is just old age (and/or toothache).

 

[ilguy]

That is very good news, it can be hard to tell and I'm glad the vet figured out what they can. Tino needs his extra rest as an old ham! What about making a little puzzle with what's left of that forage box? Hide a few treats in a bunch of bedding and set it outside his hide. I bet he would love it

 

[Maz]

That sounds a great idea - he loves his forage box. Although I put the contents of the last one in his cage as he liked it so much. Actually it was shortly after that he went a bit off.

 

[Maz]

Come to think of it they had a new food mix recently as well (I mixed it half and half with Harry Hamster though). I suppose that could maybe have disagreed with him. But unlikely. Higgins was fine.

 

[ilguy]

That sounds a great idea - he loves his forage box. Although I put the contents of the last one in his cage as he liked it so much. Actually it was shortly after that he went a bit off.

I would love to see it I found that making easier puzzles and keeping them close to nap spots helps a lot. How's his mobility and eyesight been?

 

[Maz]

I'm not sure about his eyesight to be honest. But he moves around the cage, slowly and carefully. He was only out twice last night with a long gap in between, which isn't surprising as his sleep during the day yesterday was disturbed from 9.30 in the morning until later in the afternoon, with the vet visit and travel. He shows slight interest in his sunflower head but not that much - he had taken some seeds from it the night before but normally he'd have demolished that in one night. He sort of wanders over to his platform and food area, goes on top of his house for a drink. Inspected his wheel again last night. He gets in it walks a little bit for a second or two and then gets out again, then goes back to bed. I'll see how he goes over the next couple of nights. He was more active out of the cage last time but then he's more interested in other things. He only sniffed his forage box last time. I think he's quite a tired little boy.

 

[Doodleham]

I'm not sure about his eyesight to be honest. But he moves around the cage, slowly and carefully. He was only out twice last night with a long gap in between, which isn't surprising as his sleep during the day yesterday was disturbed from 9.30 in the morning until later in the afternoon, with the vet visit and travel. He shows slight interest in his sunflower head but not that much - he had taken some seeds from it the night before but normally he'd have demolished that in one night. He sort of wanders over to his platform and food area, goes on top of his house for a drink. Inspected his wheel again last night. He gets in it walks a little bit for a second or two and then gets out again, then goes back to bed. I'll see how he goes over the next couple of nights. He was more active out of the cage last time but then he's more interested in other things. He only sniffed his forage box last time. I think he's quite a tired little boy.

Aww. Poor boy. Hope he is ok.

 

[Maz]

Aww. Poor boy. Hope he is ok.

Thank you. He's on Meloxicam and is showing some interest in coming out now.

 

[Lovelyness]

Sorry Maz, just catching up with Tino’s thread now. Sorry to hear he has been off colour. I always think of him as a youngster, so find it hard to think of him in his old age. You are taking good care of him and are mindful of his needs. Old age does seem to creep up on the so quickly. It’s a tough time watching them age

 

[Maz]

Thank you Lovelyness . He loves his baby food and Metacam and also his soaked science selective. And I’ve started giving him a pinch of hemp seeds and linseeds each night.

He was only out for a couple of short periods last night - not surprising after his disrupted sleep day at the vet’s. He doesn’t seem to know what to do much - he walks around a bit - nibbles things a bit. I suspect partly why he wasn’t coming out (except for food) is because he can’t use his wheel. He climbs in, walks a couple of steps and climbs out - even since the Metacam. I suspect he maybe has hip arthritis - he’s had weak back legs for a while - it must be frustrating if he can’t use his wheel. And maybe seems a bit pointless coming out apart from food
and drink but he does forage a little bit.

This also explains why he is staying near one end of the room when out and just sitting. And why he’s walking slowly and carefully. Although probably easier Walking/running on a flat floor than on a curved wheel …

He seems to be avoiding me tonight! Maybe after the vet visit.

 

[Lovelyness]

Bless him

 

[Yorkie]

So glad.to hear that your little man was okay at the vets. Such good news.

 

[Maz]

Tino seems to be doing well on his Meloxicam. About two hours after he had it, I put his soaked science selective out, and he came out to investigate, so I offered him his taxi and he walked in. Well he has been very active out of the cage. He seems very into climbing things at the moment as well. He was out for about two hours. Started on the sofa for a bit (first video below). Then free roaming for ages. I just left him to it. He went round most of the room at various times and does very well on the floor. In fact the slow slightly dodderiness only seems to be in the cage on the bedding, so I'll firm all the bedding down to make it easier to walk on.

I think he's maybe needing out of cage time and free roaming more than cage time at the moment, with not being able to use his wheel.

So I didn't get to film much free roaming, apart from towards the end when he headed over to that dark corner under the stairs where the filing cabinet is - the corner I blocked off with the Bucatstate hide. Which he decided to climb on top of (and made it) to see if he could get down the gap at the back (presumably to have a go at that bit of wall again). Surprised he managed to climb it!

Had him back on the sofa for a while after that and then a bit more free roaming. He wasn't the slightest bit interested in me, or sitting for a stroke - he was quite active and seemed to be enjoying himself.

On the sofa he is very interested in Higgins cage. The second video is a bit dark - you might need to enlarge it to see him climbing.

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In the corner under the stairs

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[Magpie]

Busy boy! must be such a relief to see him happily enjoying himself this evening. Long may it continue

 

[Maz]

It is - thank you Later I saw on the nightcam he tried to have a go on his wheel. Not running exactly but more than walking - a little bit one way then turned and a little bit the other way but only for about 15 to 20 seconds, then climbed out and went back to his house. It can't be energy levels, having seen him out and about, so it must be just the angle of a wheel on his hips maybe. It's not flat like the floor.

 

[Maz]

He must look at the sofa and think, I spent two days under that sofa as a runaway pup ❤

That sofa isn't there any more It was replaced with two chairs. It's the other sofa he goes under now.

 

[Maz]

Well I'm pooped/tired! Both hamsters wanted out last night for a long time (ie didn't want to go back). Higgins first in the playpen. It was encouraging to see Tino appear sitting at his door glaring at me while Higgins was out

So it was two long sessions. First with Higgins, then with Tino - Tino was running around all over the room as before, but he seems to wear himself out and then disappears for ages and I have to go and find him. He was in the Bucatstate hide in the corner under the stairs. I think he wears himself out and then has to rest. He used to wander back to my feet and his snooze cube but seems to prefer the Bucatstate hide now. I think I might have to start having him in the playpen again instead of trying to find him.

But he seems to be doing well for a little old man, now he has pain relief. He comes out in his cage about shortly after lights out and then again about 5am for a forage and a wash. For some reason, after using the coconut the first time, he ignores it now. He just sits on the substrate having a wash.

As mentioned on another thread, I'm planning to add a kind of digging box that is also a hide, to give him a bit more to do in the cage, now he's not using his wheel. He didn't even attempt to use it last night. If that carries on I might take it out and add a few more things.

 

[Magpie]

love to hear that Tino had such a busy night- he must be feeling much more comfortable now!

These late nights do start to take a toll... I'm going to have to start trying so carve out time for a siesta somewhere in the day!

 

[Maz]

It wasn't even that late last night! They both came out about 8pm to 9pm after feeding - when I had just finished cooking and just having a breather ha ha.

 

[Maz]

Today is Tino’s second gotcha day. He celebrated in the early hours of this morning by having a short trot on his wheel for a few minutes