My hamster suddenly got really fat and ''lazy''

[Kjetil]

Hello there! As stated in the title, my hamster, which is a Syrian golden hamster, suddenly got really fat and ''lazy'', he is a few months older than 2yrs old, so he has started his final stages of life, if that helps with answering this question. It is also worth mentioning that this is the first hamster i've ever had.

Anyways, about two weeks ago, i noticed that my hamster got really fat. Just overall fat. I've heard that it can be a tumour, but i don't want to settle with that conclusion just yet. He also got kind of ''lazy'', by that i mean, he isn't as active anymore (which is understandable for his age), but he also walks in a kind of wierd way, almost like he is having trouble walking, or that he is half asleep, his eyes doesn't open wide most of the time either, he just basicly looks really tired all the time. I don't know if this is normal for a hamster his age.

But he does walk around when he wants to get water and such, and he doesn't mind me touching him or anything like that, and besides his sudden fat- and tiredness, he looks healthy, no fur loss, and it looks clean. No clear sign of sickness, except from what i just stated.

I gave him way to much sweets a few weeks ago, so that could be why he suddenly got so fat, but if he is ill, the last thing i want to do is ignore it, so if anyone has a clue about what this might be, please help me out!

[souffle]

It does sound that this is a case of illness. The 'fat' sounds more like bloating and this means fluid is gathering in his tummy and causing him to look swollen. Older hamsters often get this in their twilight times as their heart and kidneys don't work so well and the fluid builds up.
He is quite an elderly hamster and he is likely to be aging now and suffering age related problems. The lethargy is more likelt due to him not feeling so good and a bit breathless and just off colour with the fluid in him.
If he stops eating or develops any worse symptoms it is best to see a vet though with and kidney failure due to age there is not a huge amount that can be done. If he has an infection that could be treated though so always worth having him checked over. I hope he stays comfortable for a while yet.

[Niblenible]

Well done you for seeking advice! I hope he has just put on weight...but prehaps your concern means a vet visit would be a good idea.

Fingers crossed for him x

[Thin Lizzy]

A vet visit would be a good idea, if it's an infection, it can be treated with antibiotics.
Personally, I would want to have him checked, it would out my mind at rest.
Stop overfeeding him sweets. What sweets were you giving him?

[Kjetil]

Thanks for the replies people! i have stopped giving him to much sweets, so don't worry about that
Although i do think it might be something more serious, it looks like he has been getting worse, there is somewhat like a dark and ''soaked'' patch under his chin and down towards his stomach, and now i can see a tiny line of skin on one of his sides. It also looks like some of his fur has bleached a bit, but that might be cause of lightning in the room and such. Either way, i'm gonna have him check up tomorrow, thanks again for answers, appreciate it!

[bbbarker]

Let us know how the little guy gets on at the vets, I hope its nothing serious

[Thin Lizzy]

Hope it goes OK at the vet.