Old little man symptoms - advice needed

[cypher]

That's such good news Sazzle, he may be having a quiet life now but he does sound content & comfortable.

[Pebbles82]

So pleased he seems settled and is still doing his hamster things happily. Poor little guy getting hiccups - but he sounds happy enough.

[Sazzle]

Hello again.

It’s been 2 weeks since I thought that my little boy was at the end. He’s still alive, but he’s so slow and wobbly. It’s so sad to see him like this after how he was. He got up today to have a wee in his corner and fell over sideways. He got up though, and is still managing to eat and drink himself.

I’m worried about not having cleaned him much but I think it’s probably better that I haven’t. He seems comfy in his bed. I have changed some of the wood shavings but it seems to distress him so I’ve left alll of his tissue bed.

I didn’t think it would be like this at the end. I thought he’d go more suddenly than this. I am so grateful for all the advice I’ve been given on this site. I will continue to care for him and love him until it’s his time to go. Poor little man.

It’s just so sad though. X

[Pebbles82]

I'm so sorry. He is clearly near his time but carrying on. I shouldn't do any cleaning out - just leave him comfortable. He is still eating and drinking and so he is clearly carrying on for now. Just keep talking to him.

[cypher]

I'm sorry, he's done so well to continue so long, it's lovely that you have had the extra time with him but it is hard to see them like this I know. You are doing everything you can to keep him comfortable, he won't need cleaning so best to just leave things be now.

[Coco61]

He is a good age, Sazzle and you are looking after him in the best way. No need to clean him out, it will stress him and he will feel too frail to put things 'right.' Turning around can cause an elderly hammie to fall on their side, but if he can get up ok, it's sad to see but he is managing. Just keep an eye on his cage layout making little adjustments if needed to help him get to things more easily.

[Sazzle]

Well he’s still going!
I don’t actually know how, as he’s so slow and wobbly and sleeps 95% of the time, but he’s still eating and drinking and arranging his bed.

I really am an official hamster nurse now I think! X

[cypher]

Aww bless him
You are obviously a very good hamster nurse!

[AlbysMum]

Hi Sazzle! It is nearly 7am here and you’ve already made my day with the recent updates of your little guy. You’re doing really well in looking after him and as a small human nurse I can officially say you are definitely making the perfect small hamster nurse. Just keep doing what you’re doing, making sure he’s getting food and fluids every day etc. You are giving him a comfortable and loving time. I found when Tilly was very old she would wobble a lot too. I think this is just due to sleeping a lot, not being very active at all and just losing that balance over time - which I guess is why older humans are more prone to falls and such!

It’s probably a bit sad for you to watch but he is probably quite content to wobble his way over to his food and water. It’s getting quite cold now and older hammies struggle to produce heat as efficiently as they used to. I’m not sure if that’s been mentioned before but just keep an eye on his temperature. I keep Alby’s cage a few feet away from the radiator but we don’t blast the heating, we just keep it at a comfortable level. It was very cold the other night so I heated up a hot water bottle then put it in a knit cover and placed it beside the cage where his nest is. If you want to do this then be careful that it isn’t directly touching the cage, too close, or heating up that part of the cage excessively. If you feel that might work for you you’ll just need to test how that part of the cage feels over time with your hand.

With heat I think it’s never good to have it directly given to hamsters and best if heat enhancers are in the area nearby. Also simple things like plenty of bedding and nest material will help. You may not need to do any of this at all mind, as his temperature could be fine! Don’t worry about cleaning the cage, a spot clean of old food lying around/random poops/cleaning water bottle will do just fine. You’re doing great and I am sure he’s really appreciating the love and care you are giving him. Keep us updated. Sending lots of love x

[Pebbles82]

He's a little trooper. He likes his bed and his routine and that is what makes him happy in his old age - as well as knowing you are there As the others say, don't worry about any cleaning out - it really isn't worth upsetting him.