Hates us?

[Nyxietrixx]

The first vet was lovely and with the same place. The second vet was just mean and had no handling experience with hamsters.

My heart is breaking at the thought of Elsa leaving me. This week alone I've lost a cousin, my fiance has admitted to cheating on me and tomorrow I start back into my final year at university, something that has been giving me nightmares and panics attacks for months. Losing Elsa, no matter how little time I've had her, will just hurt so much.

EDIT: I just gave her a tiny bit of a blueberry and put a drop of water on it. She ate the thing right away. Hopefully my fiance is bringing home yogurt and olive oil.

[cypher]

I know it's hard not to think about losing her but just try to give the meds a chance to work for now, one step at a time, if you haven't seen any improvement after 4 or 5 days you may well need another course, it often takes more than one. If you do need to go back ask for an appointment with the vet you saw first time around.

It's great that she took the blueberry & water, have you tried offering water from a syringe to see if she'll take that?

[Nyxietrixx]

She fights the syringe anytime we try it - even with antibiotics. I'm also scared of giving to much and it going into her lungs. I'm going to just stick to the fruit / water method. I moved all her food down to the lower level where she lives so she doens't have to go far. The water bottle is also there with a bit of cardboard under it to prevent dripping onto the wood - shavings. She is curled into a wee ball now - it's 2pm so I'm not surprised. She will hopefully be up tonight.

I completely changed her food dish and water so everything is fresh. I gave her more tissue bedding. I'm just hoping she won't die while in my care. I can't help thinking it's something I've done and I know if I lose her I will be reluctant to get one again for a while. I do agree with you in regards to another course of Bytril, I was only given enough for a week - twice a day, 0.2ml - so she isn't getting that much.

Do you think it's worth my while trying the Thyme treatment? if so how would I administer the tea to the hamster? Just the same why I administered the antibiotic?

[cypher]

The dose might seem tiny but they really don't need much so that should be fine, it's just that it can take time, not a higher dose which may be dangerous for them but a longer course, I think most vets would just prescribe it for a week then see how it goes.
I know what you mean about the syringe, it can be difficult, if she's happier eating some soft fruit then she at least get some fluids that way, how about things like cucumber? Mine seem to enjoy a little steamed courgette when unwell & that has lots of liquid in it.
Using the thyme is down to personal preference, I don't normally use herbs with hams as they can be so sensitive but that's up to you really.
Try not to beat yourself up & look for ways to blame yourself, these things can just happen no matter how well we care for our little ones.

[Nyxietrixx]

I might get Ryan to pick up cucumber as well because she did love it when we first gave it to her. She loves fruit and veg!

I might not try the thyme in that case, but I'll pick it up anyway just in case I get that desperate!

Thank you so much for putting up with these rants of mine. You are putting me at a great ease just talking with you.

[cypher]

You're welcome, I can imagine how you feel, it's a difficult time.
Hope she enjoys the cucumber as it should really help with hydration, no harm in having the thyme handy either just in case you decide you need it.

[Nyxietrixx]

Hi my fiance came home and gave her a wee bit of broccoli and she loved it! I then came home and gave her a wee bit of cucumber dipped in Tesco natural / plain yogurt. When i say dipped i mean it was just a tiny tiny bit to help her wee tummy. She didn't like the taste at first but then took it from me and began licking it.

She pooped a little - it was slimy but I am assuming it is the mixture of antibiotics and fruits we are giving her as her skirt is not went nor is her wee bum. She is still sneezing and jumping and the eye is still crusty but she is certainly moving her bowels and is peeing - I always run my hand in the corner where she pees and it's sticky, indicating recent urination.

Honestly broke down in tears in work when one of my regulars asked me about her - felt so embarrassed! Cypher you are amazing - you have helped so much and have made me feel a bit less like a chaotic hamster mummy.

PS: Couldn't find Thyme leaves in Tesco so might try elsewhere during the week after Uni some day. I would like to have it for my kitchen anyway as it has a nice smell and is useful for other things besides hamster chest issues.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

Awh nyxietrixx I'm so sorry to hear that Elsa is poorly. What about trying beaphar vitamin drops? They might help to build her up, her immune system, it comes in a bottle and you add so many drops to the water bottle. Can get in p@h. I haven't read all of your posts so I'm sorry if I sound stupid here but has she been diagnosed with anything by the vet? What about taking her to the p@h vets where you got her from? From what I hear they are good. If her eyes are still sore you could try cold tea on a cotton ball to bathe, if she'll let you. I really feel for you, you sound as if you have been through an awful time praying things will get better for you and you'll be given the strength to get through.

[Nyxietrixx]

Hi. I took her to the P@H vets and feel iffy about them. They wouldn't handle her and when they did they were rough. I have her on Baytril now. We are giving her various fruits and vegetables, cucumber being one. We are trying to keep her hydrated and nourished. We have also started to give her plain natural Tesco yogurt to help with her gut health while on the antibiotics prescribed.

She's doing a bit of roaming now - and has been dandering around the cage since. I think her being more inactive is a sign of the antibiotics along with the illness. I might try the vitamin drops if she makes it by this week - I'll get it when in P@H.

[Thin Lizzy]

Nyxietrixx; you're really having a difficult time.
Like Cypher I give Probiotic powder whenever antibiotics are involved. Sorry, you're having problems with the vet. I too found that, you get a really great vet who knows how to handle and check hamsters and then the next one is rough and uncaring.
That's great that Elsa loved the brocolli and cucumber, they seem to go down well with hams.
You're doing everything you can for Elsa and deep down she knows you are. These antibiotics can sometimes take a while to show if it's working so don't be disheartened if the course is extended.
Got my fingers crossed for Elsa xx