is it kinder to put him down?

[Moonstream]

my little syrian with wet tail wont eat anything. I tried making him eggs, tried some rasins, he has a bowl full of nice yummy foods. he wants none of it. he shows slight interest in water, but isnt drinking much.

he's been on 2 doses of baytril a day since sunday, now.

I can't decide what to do with him... he looks absolutely miserable. he isnt very alert or aware of his surroundings. he moves only to gather more bedding/paper tissue around him. he spends his time crammed in a corner of his cage, sniffling/sneezing, with his fur all fluffed up and his body shaking/coughing. he's shaky on his feet, and feels to have lost a lot of weight. the only time he shows any real movement is right after his medicine (I have to take him out and wrap him up in a blanket to squirt the syringe into his mouth). he toddles around a bit after that, sits in his food bowl for a bit looking all squinty-eyed, and then goes to a corner and digs a bit, before going back to his nest. he does seem to be grooming himself a little bit, but his fur is not a neat as it should be (I'm thinking he may feel cold- despite my room being warm- and is grooming himself to warm up, maybe).

I just don't know what to do about him. he just looks so miserable, and the medicine doesnt seem to be helping him much. he's gotten much, much weaker since I got him, that's for sure. his appetite, as I said, also appears to have disappeared completely.

he does seem to be doing a decent amount of grooming, though.

I don't want to end his little life without reason, but I just dont know what else I can do. he is drinking, like I said, he just isnt eating (ANYTHING) and I've tried offering him tasty foods. left them in the cage at night for him to eat as well.

do you think its kinder to put him down? at this point, I'm thinking that is the kindest course of action for the little thing... I feel like a terrible person for even thinking it, though. I feel like I'm killing him!

should I just keep up on medicine and cross my fingers?

I'm bringing him back to the vet tomorrow night.

[lisab]

Unfortunatly no one can say what is right.

Only you can make that choice.

[TraceyH]

What a truly awful illness that wet tail sounds. I'm truly thankful to all the gods out there that I've never had to see any of my hamsters suffer with this terrible disease. I do hope yours somehow makes a miraculous recovery.

[souffle]

Only you can see him and sense what he is going through Moonstream. Remember it is a great gift to give rest when you know in your heart that your little one has had enough and if your decision is made from love it is never wrong.
Ask him what he wants to do and also tell him that if he wants to move forward to the next path then he must do that and that he is loved. They often give you a sign when they are ready. You catch a look in the eye or a change in expression and you know.
I think because you are asking you have already detected something from him now. If he is not eating this is very serious as his bowel will not be able to work properly.
I hope you find an answer and I hope whatever path he and you choose will be a gentle one x

[purple_x]

Could you try syringe feeding him some baby food just so he's eating something.
He may be too weak to eat right now. I know when I'm ill the last thing I want to do is eat, I just want to sleep. Must be the same for animals.

[StarlightSerenity]

Sorry the poor lad is going through this

Part of his weakness will be down to not eating, being weak will then make him less likely to eat as well - it's a vicious (sp?) circle.

I'd say try what purple_x suggested - syringe feeding him baby food. Water too. Giving him a nutritional boost will help.

How long has he been on the meds? They need a week or so to kick in I think.

[ShannenClare]

i also agree above. Do what you feel will make you happy but also try syringe feeding. I tried it today with water/baby food and his mood picked up better since he refused too do it himself. You should give it a shot before making a final decision with the little guy

good luck and hope your little guy gets better

[Hope]

Its a heart wrenching decision, but I do belive in talking it trough with them. Tell him how you feel, ask him what he wants. You will be surprised, as more often than not they will give you a little sign, maybe not straight away, but he will let you know.

What ever decision you make will be the right one, sending you both hugs x

[Moonstream]

I took him in to the vet planning to put him down; they gave me some food to mix with powder and syringe feed him with, gave him some IV fluids, and I've gotten some pedisure to syringe him with to keep him hydrated.

he's certainly perked up some. he ran on his wheel a little bit when I brought him home, so that's a good sign.

I'm planning to feed him this stuff from the syringe once in the morning, along with his medicine, and then every few hours once I get home from school for a total of 6 feedings from the syringe a day. I'll probably give him the pedisure/water about as often.

hopefully with all this he'll pull through. he does seem to be a fighter, I'll give him that.

[Hope]

Sounds like he is wanting to keep fighting at the moment, he is a tough little cookie! Give him a few days and see how he responds to the new meds and food that the vet has given. It is certainly a good sigh that he has made improvments already