William

[William]

Hello and welcome to the forum! What a brilliant age for a hammy to get to. I am so glad to hear that most of Williams problems are age related and may be easily managed with metacam. For his sticky eyes have you thought about an eye lubricant? My RB Lilith was an older hamster when I adopted her and had sticky eyes while in their care (something I knew before adopting her). It really did help keep her eye more comfortable so may be worth mentioning to your vet. As many animals age, including people, they can develop dry eyes as the tear ducts don't work as well as they once did. Eye lubricants and tear stimulants can be used to manage this. Lubricants typically need to be used about 4 times a day, which for a nocturnal animal like a hamster, is pretty difficult. I managed 3 times daily with my Lilith.

Thank you so much I will look into that.

 

[Robert]

Hi, William. What size is your cage ?

 

[Maz]

I think it was mentioned that William lives in a detolf Which is approximately 163cm by 43cm.

 

[Robert]

163 cm... Hmmm. Did the owner build that himself? Very impressive size.

 

[Maz]

It's an Ikea detolf glass cabinet There are quite a few Ikea hacks - you just buy the glass cabinet and tip it on it's back and leave the door off. So it makes a glass tank. However there is diy involved as it needs two lids making out of wood and mesh. People usually make two so it's easier to remove than one very big one. There are companies actually making detolf lids and raised detolf lids these days. But some of those are more expensive than a new expensive cage!

A detolf used to be a cheap way of having a large glass tank - if you didn't mind the bit of diy in making the lid. For years they were only about $40. The price has crept up and up though. I think they're about $70 now.

 

[Zara]

Hi and welcome to the forum Elizabeth, your hamster William is gorgeous, what a fantastic photo in your avatar! Great to hear the vet was able to advise and they think just age related. Hope the metcam eases his symptoms.

 

[William]

Hi, William. What size is your cage ?

Its an ikea detox and we made a top for it out of wood and the sides of his old cage. The size is 163cm by 43cm.

 

[William]

163 cm... Hmmm. Did the owner build that himself? Very impressive size.

I just bought it from Ikea after seeing a u tube video by Victoria Raechel. Luckily I have a handy Dad and son who helped build the lid.

 

[William]

Hi and welcome to the forum Elizabeth, your hamster William is gorgeous, what a fantastic photo in your avatar! Great to hear the vet was able to advise and they think just age related. Hope the metcam eases his symptoms.

Hi Zara, He does seem much better and less stiff when he wakes up.

 

[William]

I just bought it from Ikea after seeing a u tube video by Victoria Raechel. Luckily I have a handy Dad and son who helped build the lid.

We did make two lids as one lid would be too long and awkward.

 

[Maz]

I had to laugh at the typo Ikea Detox But we know what you mean. I think a few people could do with an Ikea "detox"!