Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Behaviour

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-14-2013, 08:16 PM   #1
nickbirk
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2
Unhappy I think something is wrong

We have a hamster - under 6mth old - Very friendly loving not a shy hamster - she figured out how to escape her cage one night - she literally unlatched the door - she was missing for 2 night and 1 full day, when I eventually found her in the basement I coaxed her into her ball and then her cage. She was very unsteady walking into the ball, shaking - shaking when she got into her cage, seemed to have issues walking. She slept a lot and ate nothing yesterday - today she's eating abit not shaking but not friendly and seems to be extremely scared. She's not the same hamster at all. I don't know if she could just be emotionally traumatized? I tried feeding her a carrot like always my daughter tried feeding her fresh food like she always did but won't come near us. Its like fear has taken over. And shes not active anymore either.
Is this something she will get over? Or could she be scared for life from this?
nickbirk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2013, 12:12 AM   #2
Tutu
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Tutu's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Uk, the land of hammies
Posts: 1,057
Default Re: I think something is wrong

Poor little hammy hope she will feel better soon. I guess she must be traumatised I'd say you should leave her be for the day to settle back and feel secure. Also might help feeding her baby food. There are treads about which baby food is to feed here on this forum if you search.
Good luck
Tutu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2013, 12:45 AM   #3
souffle
Moderator
 
souffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire, UK but my heart lies in Scotland!
Posts: 28,184
Default Re: I think something is wrong

She could have been very frightened however there are some other things you need to consider. There is a chance she has eaten something that has affected her such as mouse poison? Was there any of that in the basement? Eating cardboard etc because there was nothing else would have made her malnourished and she may not have had enough water and become dehydrated. It can take a while for them to get back to normal and there can be long term effects I'm afraid. If you suspect mouse poison then see a vet right away.
She may have had a fall or hurt herself on something and have some sort of internal injury.
Contact with wild animals like mice or birds or their dropping can lead to them catching serious infections.
Overall in view of her behaviour I really would suggest you see the vet and have a full examination. If she is OK then it can take some time for them to recover from a fright and she will need very calm and gentle treatment during this time. I hope she is better soon x
souffle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-15-2013, 04:46 AM   #4
Munchalot
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Munchalot's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 2,197
Default Re: I think something is wrong

The poor thing. I hope she feels better soon.
As Souffle said, she may well have eaten something she shouldn't, so I would take her to the vets to be on the safe side.

In the meantime, I would put her cage in a dim, quiet room to allow her calm down, because it's very likely that she has had a fright - she sounds quite traumatized. Make sure nobody disturbs the room, other that yourself when checking on her. Make sure she has plenty of water, and if she is dehydrated try offering her some moist, energising food, such as a dog biscuit soaked in warm water. Some hams will readily eat a high quality dog biscuit, and it's always worked for me when I've had a ham needing a boost.
On the floor, and certainly in the basement, she may have caught a chill. Try and warm her up a bit by filling a hot water bottle/old water bottle with warm water and put it on the outside of her cage near her nest. Hams overheat quickly though, so make sure it is not too hot. If necessary, wrap the bottle in a towel or blanket so the side of the cage does not heat up too much and hurt her. I would also keep the lights off, because bright lights and activity often stresses them.

I really hope her condition improves. Good luck. :3
__________________
Munchalot is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-16-2013, 11:29 AM   #5
nickbirk
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2
Default Re: I think something is wrong

Thank you everyone. No defininetly no rat or mouse poison. I did notice she ate part of a paper craft plate - not sure what else she would have gotten into.

She is starting to eat again - ears a perking back up, she still nervous but slowly getting comfortable again.

Love and appreciate the advice! We love our little nugget!
nickbirk is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:08 PM.