Off to the vets tomorrow :( Poorly dwarf **Sad Update**

Widowmaker · 06-15-2007, 03:25 AM

I'm concerned about one of my dwarf Russian girls

Over the past few days she's lost a lot of weight and seemed to be struggling to eat. I brought her out and sat with her for ages last night stroking her and encouraging her to take nibbles of things but she seemed disinterested in it all. She did manage to eat a little bit of apple which I crushed up for her and that was about it.

She's running about the cage still and washes herself, plays with bedding and generally does hamster type things, but compared to her sister (they came as a pair) she's lost so much weight in a short space of time that she's now half her size

This morning she had trouble opening one of her eyes properly though my boyfriend's called me to say both eyes are now fully open and she's trotting about in the cage.

I'm not taking any chances with her though so she's off to the vet first thing tomorrow morning.

Does anyone have any ideas for anything I can do between now and tomorrow for her? In herself she seems OK, she comes to the door to climb out when she hears me and she's drinking and playing OK but she's not wanting to eat

They're 18 months old which I realise is a good age for a dwarf hamster. Could it just be old age?

She doesn't seem to be in pain and doesn't squeak or pull away when handled and I can't feel any lumps of anything but she looks, for want of a better word, tatty. Her coat doesn't seem to be in as good a condition as it was a couple of days ago. No urine/faeces or anything stuck to her underside but in general she looks a bit dishevelled and run down.

They've been with me for 16 months and I want the best for my girls.

Sarah xx

souffle · 06-15-2007, 06:58 AM

Poor little lass. I imagine she is eating enough to keep her going but she sounds a bit run down. Have you tried a little baby food or porridge to tempt her. It could be a tooth problem with her being reluctant to eat. Does she wee a lot. Possible something hormonal or an infection somewhere. It is difficult to pinpoint for you with her having no specific symptom. I hope she gets the all clear at the vets. It may just be old age creeping up on her now.

Let us know how she goes on tommorrow.

Widowmaker · 06-15-2007, 07:04 AM

Thank you for the reply

What sort of baby food? Just the pre-mixed stuff you get in little tins? I have no experience of human babies so I have no idea on this front

I have plain porridge oats in at home so I could make a tiny amount up and let her try some when it's cooled down?

Yeah, she doesn't have any specific symptoms so I really am at a total loss with her. Her sister is doing fine; strong and healthy so whatever's wrong with her it certainly isn't infectious

suga · 06-15-2007, 07:24 AM

I make porridge for my breakfast in the morning and just give a small baby spoonful to the hammies. As you say just let it cool down and she will probably take it from you very quickly. I make mine with milk and water.

Baby food wise - I also am human baby free :-) but do buy the small jars from the supermarket. At the moment we have open a chicken and veg one (veg is carrot, potato and sweede). As long as the choice you make has no onion, garlic or spice in it it should be okay. I keep it in the fridge once open and tend to put a small baby spoon full in a pot and place the pot in warm water to take the chill off the food and then give a small spoonful to the hamsters. Again - gets eaten on the spot and disappears very quickly :-)

souffle · 06-15-2007, 09:05 AM

Exactly what suga said widowmaker. We use ready brek. One teaspoon readybrek, half a teaspoon of wheatgerm (from the organic section in Sainsbury's!) mix with boilingwater to a paste then thin with a little milk. Cool and munch.
Ours like the little jars or tins Chicken and pasta is popular and also chicken and veg.
If she has a sore tooth she may lap it up more easily and get some nutrition.

Widowmaker · 06-15-2007, 10:09 AM

Thank you so much

xx

I have a little jar of baby food now and will try and encourage her to get some into herself later when she comes out. She's sleeping next to her sister at the moment and she's definitely breathing so that's a relief!!

suga · 06-15-2007, 11:35 AM

Hopefully she will pick up. Crossing fingers and toes for you guys.

Holly · 06-15-2007, 11:44 AM

Sorry to hear she's ill, hope she's feeling better as soon as possible.

Widowmaker · 06-15-2007, 01:02 PM

Wow, she pratically pounced on the spoon when it was offered. She really licked up the baby food so she's at least getting some nutrition today.

I only gave her a little as if she hasn't been eating a lot, I don't want to upset her little tummy by giving her a lot to digest in one go. Her sister barged on in and demanded some as well

She really perked up after that and looked a little happier. I'll just have to see what the vet says tomorrow. If it's a problem with her teeth or pouches I take it she'll be on mushy food for a while longer?

Thank you all for your good wishes

xxx

souffle · 06-15-2007, 02:39 PM

Could be a tooth or pouch abcess or uneven teeth. Antibiotics will see her right if it is.
With a poorly animal we tend to feed whatever they will take. All ours especially the oldies get some babyfood and porridge every few days. It gives them a wee boost.
The vet may be able to give you some Avipro probiotic which is good to help them back to health.
Hope all goes well tommorrow.