Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Hamster Healthcare

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 02-15-2015, 10:59 AM   #1
SquishyHelium
Adult Hamster
 
SquishyHelium's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Kettering, Northants, UK
Posts: 270
Default A sad, and happy, state of affairs

Last week as you do, I was browsing on Gumtree and came across Hamster - free to a good home. To cut a long story very very short I did, naturally, end up re-homing him, without knowing anything about him beforehand.

I picked him up yesterday. He's been transferred to another larger cage as the other was inappropriate in many ways, including the presence of a tiny, 5.5 inch diameter wheel and the absence of anything wooden to chew.

So I am pleased to be able to give him a home where he will have a better life and lots of toys. However, he is not in a good body condition at all. I genuinely don't think the previous owner was aware. My most immediate concerns are his weight and the condition of his spine.

He is apparently 13 - 14 months old. However he is TINY and skin and bone. He's the size of the average 6 week old Syrian. His spine, hips and ribs are extremely prominent and he has absolutely no flesh covering them. He weighs 82 grams - around 100 grams less than any other Syrian hamster that I've previously had. I am weaning him gradually onto some better quality food in the hope he will gain some weight. If anyone has any tips for safe foods that will facilitate weight gain safely, I would be grateful if you could share.

Even as he walks his spine remains arched upward somewhat like a camel's hump. It doesn't seem that he is able to straighten it out. His balance is not wonderful either. Though it doesn't stop him being active - in fact he seems to be hyperactive at the moment. I suspect his spine has been damaged by using a wheel that was much too small for him. However, I am sure there must be other potential causes, so if anyone knows of any other reasons why this may be the case I'd be glad to hear of them - and any potential solutions please.

So overall I am delighted to offer him a new home, where he'll be loved and well cared for, but extremely saddened by his poor condition. It's clear he'll need spoiling and lots of TLC.
__________________
Guardian to: Melvin & Levi (Syrians), Jacob & Timothy (Chinchillas), Steve & Barney (Degus)
Waiting at Rainbow Bridge: Jet, Maple, Titan, Domino, Hamlet and Henry
~~~ALWAYS & FOREVER IN MY HEART~~~
SquishyHelium is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2015, 11:05 AM   #2
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

Aw poor little hammy. So glad you are looking after him. Are his teeth able to eat food by the way? He might actually have been starving if he couldn't eat the food he was given. I would try putting Harry Hamster in a dish for him, but also giving him lots of soft food and build him up - a bit of porridge or baby food I think people usually suggest, plus cheese as treats (it's high calorie and soft and hammies love cheese I reckon). Plus a big of veg each day. There may be some hammie equivalent to complan or highcal - I don't know, but someone else might. Lots of soft deep bedding and a house and a wheel should keep him happy. I'm not an expert so don't know about the humped spine - it could be some disease or it does sound like he has been in one bad position too much, but it sounds like the opposite to what a small wheel would do. Maybe he's just been in a cramped little house too long and never come out, or maybe he is lacking in some essential nutrients and his bones have been affected. It might be an idea to get him checked over by a vet and see if they recommend anything to fatten him up and improve his condition.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2015, 11:11 AM   #3
BrainGirl
Hamsters on the Brain
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 6,458
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

Aww, poor baby So glad you came along to offer him a better life! I second a vet check just to rule out some possible causes for his hunched spine and malnutrition. It's possible that he can't absorb nutrients because of parasites or a blockage or something that better food won't actually be able to fix on its own. The hunched posture could be a sign of pain or just malnutrition and if the former you'll want to get him on some pain meds because the stress of being in pain could thwart his recovery. It does sound like he's excited by the change in his environment though so perhaps TLC is all he needs! Look forward to updates
BrainGirl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2015, 11:33 AM   #4
Willow Wisp
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Willow Wisp's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 1,469
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

Awww poor little man, but it's really wonderful that your able to help and take care of him
I can't add any advice, just thank you for caring
Willow Wisp is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2015, 12:47 PM   #5
Piebald
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Ireland
Posts: 2,765
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

^ I second that
Poor hammy. What color is he?

ETA Hyperactivity and skinny was diagnosed as a thyroid condition in my old cat. I don't know if hammies get this but there is medication for it (for the cat anyway)
Piebald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2015, 01:06 PM   #6
RubyDG
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
RubyDG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1,661
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

I second Serendipity7000's suggestion about taking him to the vet if you're able to - I think in his condition it would be prudent. If your Vet's a good one he/she should be able to suggest a course of action to improve his health. It's great that you've taken him on and were willing to give him a loving home, let us know how he gets on .
__________________
Hamster Mom to Axel McFluffypants who wears his Scottish kilt proudly.
Forever Hamster Mom to a Syrian Fluff Monster called Spike - now laying siege to all the radiators over the Rainbow Bridge
RubyDG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-15-2015, 04:16 PM   #7
Shannonmcn
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
Shannonmcn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Posts: 3,192
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

Poor little lamb I've no better advice but I hope he gets better
Shannonmcn is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2015, 12:38 AM   #8
Thin Lizzy
Hamster Warrior
 
Thin Lizzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland
Posts: 15,575
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

I third Serendipity's suggestion about taking him to the vet. The vet might be able to give you something to help. Also the vet will be able to give you more advice on how to get his weight up.
You have a heart of gold for rescuing this poor hamster, and I know you want to do all you can to help him have a normal life.
Thin Lizzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2015, 12:49 AM   #9
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

Poor little one, so glad you found him & well done for taking him on.
I agree with the others that a vet check would be the best thing & I'm sure they'll be able to advise you on how best to go forward with him.
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 02-16-2015, 03:11 AM   #10
kittokitty
Adult Hamster
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: England
Posts: 368
Default Re: A sad, and happy, state of affairs

Poor thing, I hope he recovers. You could give him a bit of boiled egg.
kittokitty is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
rehome, spine, weight

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:01 AM.