Old little man symptoms - advice needed - Page 4

Sazzle · 11-13-2017, 03:20 PM

Thank you all again.
I don’t know what I’d have done without the support of you all on this site. He’s asleep again now so I’ve put him some overnight treats and laid down a new hanging stick in case he fancies that.

And yes, I’ll definitely have to take one day at a time. I will keep you posted. Xx

Pebbles82 · 11-14-2017, 03:39 AM

Yes I had this with Charlie. I sat up all night with him once, curled up inside my bodywarmer, looking half dead. Then he sat up and ate and perked up for a few days. So hard. Our thoughts are with you and your little guy. He is enoying his food and water for now and it sounds like he isn't ready to go just yet.

**AlbysMum** · 11-14-2017, 04:10 AM

Hey Sazzle,

I'm so sorry to hear about your little one. It's such a shame our fuzzy babies aren't here for long, but they touch our lives so preciously. I have so many special memories of my past hamsters. It sounds like you are doing all the right things.

My syrian Tilly went to Hammy Heaven in August this year after 2 years and 5 months of life. She became poorly in May and we thought we'd lose her then, but then she seemed to get better after some TLC. Then in August she went downhill again. For about two weeks she was sleeping all day and all night, and when awake she walked with a bit of a shake and we had to really encourage her to take food and water. We debated on taking her to a vet but she did not seem in pain and was comfortable in her home with us, I didn't want to take her somewhere cold and scary for her to be put to sleep there.

Like you, I kept checking every day until we found she had gone peacefully in her sleep in her nest, surrounded by smells she knew. During those two weeks we fed her baby food mixed with warm water, warmed up porridge, cucumber, and scrambled egg. We made sure the baby food had ingredients that she was allowed to have, and that the food wasn't piping hot - just warm enough. I know this wasn't her usual diet but she didn't seem fussed about her usual Hamster food and the warm food kept her temperature from going down. We also used a syringe with water to keep an eye on her fluid intake. I'm not sure if you have already, but perhaps add these few tips to the care you're already giving your little one. It did actually help us as well with processing the fact she was going to go soon as we held her to feed her, those moments are still so precious in our memories.

I hope you are doing okay. Know that your hamster has had the best life you could have provided, loves you and trusts you. You can feel positive about that, and on his way out know you kept him as comfortable as possible. Keep us updated. Sending love and support xx

Sazzle · 11-14-2017, 02:42 PM

Thank you all again for your kind and thoughtful replies. It’s been such a comfort to be able to read all you stories and advice.

The current situation is that he’s snug in bed. He’s just popped his head out but still looks sleepy, although he has eaten a couple of bits of cucumber, and taken some of his normal food. He’s also drinking a decent amount too judging by the water levels.

I can’t quite believe it to be honest, after how he was on Sunday. He’s still got a very sparse cage though - which looks huge without all this things in and the shelves & ramp. Do you think I should just leave it like that without them? All just on ground level with a great big bed and food/water nearby?

I’ve also bought some baby food which has peas, potato, chicken, carrot & sweetcorn. Do you think would be okay? Sorry for all the questions? I just want to make the time he has left as nice as possible for him.

Many thanks again to you all. There are some very lucky hamsters to be cared for by such thoughtful people as you all are. X

Pebbles82 · 11-14-2017, 04:30 PM

The baby food sounds fine. Maybe he reacted to some of the things being taken out of the cage and has recovered again

You could add some floor toys and chews maybe - a tunnel or cardboard box hide or something, to keep it interesting and just in case he wants to investigate.

Pebbles82 · 11-14-2017, 04:34 PM

This is what I did with Charlie's cage after taking levels out. Moved some of the toys to floor level and the tubes etc. The little pink egg cup has his baby food in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIxHqvr9wTY

I took the couple of steps/ledges out shortly after that was made, so he couldn't climb onto the house roof and get stuck.

cypher · 11-14-2017, 10:16 PM

Just check to be sure the baby food doesn't have any onion in it, if not it will be fine. I usually find the 4 months baby food is less likely to have any unsafe ingredients like onion added.

Putting some more stuff back in the cage but all on ground level & laid out so he can move around easily if he wants to might be a good idea if there seems to be too much open space now.

Sazzle · 11-15-2017, 02:26 PM

Thank you for all your help and advice.

The baby food ingredients were fine, but he’s not that into it though. He’s gone back to his normal dry food and I can hear him munching in his bed. He’s drank plenty of water again today and I’ve just watched him pouching his bedding to move some of it closer to where he’s been sleeping.

I can’t actually believe that he’s pulled through after Sunday. I will continue to be mindful of the fact that he still may not have long, but it really wasn’t his time to go bless him.

And serendipity - that video was lovely. I will put some things back in for him on ground level.

Just another question - I didn’t clean him out last weekend because of how poorly he was, I didn’t want to distress him. I’m conscious of the fact that he needs cleaning though. Does anyone have any advice about how to do it, as I normally put him in his ball but I don’t think it’s going to be an option now as I don’t think he’d be very comfortable being put in it.

Should I try to do half at a time with him still in there?

Thank you again for everything! X

Coco61 · 11-15-2017, 02:39 PM

Does he really need cleaning Sazzle? Apart from spot cleaning his pee place or his hamster toilet area, what else is actually dirty? Only other thing could be checking there is no mouldy food in his hoard. If you do remove some, then be sure to replace what you can and add to it. Other than that, it stresses any hamster to be cleaned out too much as it removes their scent which they rely on. I would leave everything alone and only clean his pee area.

Pebbles82 · 11-15-2017, 02:40 PM

I would avoid cleaning really. A lot of people think you need to clean them out every week, but it isn't necessary if you have enough substrate in there - or if they use a potty litter tray - you can just spot clean - ie take out a handful of soiled substrate (eg wet or pee'd on) and replace it with another handful.

If they use a litter tray it keeps clean for quite a long time and I only do a clean every 2 to 3 months

If you have 4 to 5" of substrate it helps reduce the amount of cleanouts and also they like burying their hoards in it. Even then I replace half the substrate (the clean half) and mix it in so it still smells familiar.

Also best to leave his nest - unless it's pee'd in it doesn't need taking out. Same with the hoards. Dried food hoarded can last a long time. If the hoard gets too big or is wet or pee'd on and you need to remove some of it, then replace it with new food in the same place.

I'm sure you've got your own routine that he is used to, they're just tips people find helpful to avoid cleaning them out too much, especially as it can be stressful when they're a bit older.

Maybe leave him a few days to settle now and then just spot clean a bit. I always scatter some food and hide the odd treat after a clean, to distract them