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Old 08-30-2019, 10:15 AM   #1
HartyHetty
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 15
Default Is my Hamster ill? or Hybernating??

My syrian has always been average size and very active, she is in her bowl every night and then continued to run on her spinner well into the early hours, she never normally hid her food, would just leave it in her bowl apart from the odd piece,

about a week ago we noticed her food bowl was empty the day after filling it and she looked a lot fatter.

since then she has moved all her bedding out of her house and into 1 corner, took all her food in there with her and is now only coming out 2/3 times a day for water,

she is still letting me stroke/handle her and doesnt look to be in any pain.

my mam said she had looked it up and it could be she is 'summer hybernating'??

is this a thing?? do i need to be worried i dont want to disturb her if i dont need to, she is still drinking plenty water and if i put fresh food in she is coming out for it (not right away but eventually) but is not doing anything active
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Old 08-30-2019, 11:00 AM   #2
Pebbles82
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Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Is my Hamster ill? or Hybernating??

Hamsters don’t really hibernate, they go into torpor - and that is when they get too cold. Torpor is quite dangerous and they often don’t come out of it again. So your hammy’s behaviour isn’t going to be that as it’s not cold. It sounds like she has moved her nest and hoard. They sometimes do this if their old nest is disturbed (eg during a clean out). Or it may be the heat (very likely). In hot weather they seek to cool off and can abandon the nest. If she is coming out less she is probably just a bit warm and lethargic. The swelling is something else. How old is she? If she’s not very old then she needs to see a vet as it could be an internal infection called Pyometra which needs fairly urgent treatment. It could still be that even if she is old but could be other things if she is getting old. Anyway swelling is usually a sign of something fairly serious that needs treatment (possibly antibiotics).

Could she have swallowed anything? Sometimes people are sold fluffy bedding for nesting and that can cause blockages so if you have any, that would be suspect (and best to bin it and use plain white toilet paper torn into strips).

Although it has been hot weather, her lethargy and behaviour could be due to illness or infection so she does need seeing by a vet. Best to see an exotic vet as they know more about hamster conditions (the cost is no different to any other vet). So google your nearest one. You’ll need a pet carrier with bedding and a little house in to take her in. You can get them quite cheap. A guinea pig sized one is best so there is room for a little house or hide. I also put a bit of food and cucumber in for hydration and hide the odd treat to keep them occupied in there.
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Old 08-31-2019, 04:14 PM   #3
HartyHetty
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 15
Default Re: Is my Hamster ill? or Hybernating??

Thanks i was abit confused over the 'hybernating' so glad to know it is not that

until tonight her belly has still been soft to the touch and i could not feel anything strange, but tonight her belly on one side has hardened and i am really worried now, she is still letting me touch/handle her and did not run or squeal when i had a good feel, but taking her to vets in morning

i have a 'travel cage' clean, empty and kept aside just incase a vet trip is needed.

should i take her bedding from her cage? or use fresh?
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Old 08-31-2019, 11:37 PM   #4
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Is my Hamster ill? or Hybernating??

Use the bedding from her own cage - If you have room put a little toy/chew/boredom breaker thing in there out of her own cage, something that won't hurt her if it rolls around when travelling
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