Old little man symptoms - advice needed - Page 2

Sazzle · 11-12-2017, 02:47 AM

Hello again. I got up this morning and he’s lying shaking (almost convulsing) in the middle of his cage with his eyes closed. I’ve take everything out of his cage and put his bedding around him, but it’s heartbreaking to see. He was okay yesterday! I just wanted a second opinion on whether I should try to take him to the emergency vet to be put to sleep. I hoped he’d go peacefully here but I don’t want him to suffer.

Sazzle · 11-12-2017, 03:00 AM

I got up a this morning and he was lying shaking uncontrollably in the middle of the cage. I’ve taken everything out and put his bedding around him and left some food and water but here can’t even open his eyes now. It’s awful coz he was okay yesterday. I don’t know what’s happened overnight. He’s now on his front heavy breathing. It’s heartbreaking to see him like this. Do you think I should leave him? Or take him to emergency vet to be put to sleep? I feel terrible that I can’t help him.

Sazzle · 11-12-2017, 03:01 AM

Sorry. I thought my first post hadn’t posted so I wrote another. Now they’re both there.
I’m sure you get the gist anyway.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. X

cypher · 11-12-2017, 03:23 AM

I'm so sorry to hear this Sazzle, we all want our hams to pass peacefully & it is very hard when they don't but he probably has very little awareness of what is happening now.
Is he still shaking like that? It may be over fairly quickly but if it does continue for a while then I think taking him into the vet & helping him on his way may be the kindest thing.
Just talk to him & he will take comfort in that.
Hugs to you at this difficult time.

Sazzle · 11-12-2017, 03:48 AM

Thank you so much.

I’ve been sobbing all morning which isn’t helping me think straight. He’s asleep now in his bedding and he’s not shaking now but still breathing hard. I think getting him to the vet will be awfully stressful for him. I’ll let him sleep until this afternoon and then make a decision.

It’s ever so sad. X

cypher · 11-12-2017, 04:00 AM

I'm glad the shaking has stopped, if he's sleeping now then I think you're right to wait.

Sazzle · 11-12-2017, 04:35 AM

I will I think.

I keep reading up on whether to have him put to sleep or not. It’s a horrific decision. I can’t tell if he’s in pain or not but he seems peaceful now he’s sleeping.

SimonandSyril · 11-12-2017, 04:40 AM

So glad to hear your hamster's doing well, good luck for the future!

cypher · 11-12-2017, 04:43 AM

It is a very difficult decision to have to make I know having done it a couple of times, it's never easy but if he's sleeping & appears to be peaceful then it's ok to wait a while, he may just go that way. If he shows any signs of distress then it would be time to help him.

Sazzle · 11-12-2017, 05:46 AM

I rang the emergency vet. She just kept telling me the cost (£130) as if she thought it probably wasn’t worth putting him through the journey to get there.
He’s crawled out of bed and is laying down on the wood shavings now. Still breathing quickly but looks more comfy and peaceful.

Do you think it would be cruel to leave him be for today and to see what happens? I’m sure he’d rather be here when he passes. If he’s still hanging on tomorrow I’ll take him to his own vet and ask them to put him to sleep.

I feel so torn by this. Thank you so much for giving me someone to talk to. The rest of my family seem to think I should leave him in peace, but it’s nice to be able to hear from someone with experience.
X