New hamster has had diarrhea in his bed, please help! - Page 2

racinghamster · 05-03-2015, 10:19 AM

Really pleased to hear he`s eating eagerly and that the vet gave you something to try. I`ve never used Metronidazole so fingers crossed it works for him. Keep the dosages regular and watch his toilet behaviour.

Antibiotics can upset the gut anyway as they tend to kill everything off, including the good gut bacteria and I imagine the yoghurt bacteria too! But this might be better given after his treatment has finished to replenish his good bacteria again.

Keep us posted. Oh, I`m in Scotland by the way! x

bgfloyd · 05-03-2015, 02:44 PM

Fingers crossed for a good recovery lkw31!

Put to sleep?? Racinghamster is right don't listen to that. My hamster has had loose stools for two weeks now but is generally fine in herself. It seems as bit rash to be suggesting that on the first appointment without seeing how things go with the metronidazole.

Thin Lizzy · 05-03-2015, 08:34 PM

That vet doesn't know much! Put to sleep! No way. Hamsters can be on antibiotics for a short time or long time. It depends on how the hammy reacts to them. So if he's not fully better on Tuesday, ask for more antibiotics.
My eldest hammy was on antibiotics for 6 weeks, my vet said that because he's older his immune system isn't the same so would need a longer period of time on them.
Good to hear that he ate some rice, this is a good sign.
RH is right about the antibiotics upsetting their gut, I gave mine Probiotic yoghurt after he had been on them for 3 weeks, I then went onto Probiotic powder after, putting a pinch on his food daily and it really helped plus baby food.

cypher · 05-04-2015, 12:05 AM

Good to hear that he's eating something, hopefully the meds will help too & he'll make a good recovery.
I agree about giving probiotics, powder is probably better than yogurt as it will get more of the good bacteria into his gut, antibiotics don't kill of everything (we'd be in big trouble if they did!) so giving probiotics during and after antibiotics will help keep the balance of good bacteria v bad right in his gut.
Good luck with him.

lkw31 · 05-05-2015, 02:17 AM

Thank you all so much for your help and advice, this is such a great forum!

Little Hamster may be on the downward turn now. His appetite is still fine (he gobbled up his antibiotic soaked bread this morning) but doesn't seem to be drinking. I put a marker on his water last night and it hasn't gone down at all. He also stayed in bed most of the night and only used the wheel for a very short time. I got up at 3am and 5am to check up on him! I know not drinking water is a very bad sign, and I can't pick him up to syringe it into his mouth because he will not be handled and I will only stress him out by trying.

I am very sad! My beloved 3 year old hamster was put to sleep 2 weeks ago and now my new hamster looks like he's going to die too. I feel so guilty

racinghamster · 05-05-2015, 03:58 AM

Give it time Ikw31. He`s taking the drug laced bread and eating it so that in itself is a positive sign. If he was too ill, he would not eat. Drinking...well to be honest, hamsters are not big water drinkers at the best of times and will usually only drink a lot if they are diabetic or have kidney issues. You could just watch (and listen) for sounds of him drinking at the bottle but don`t worry. Make sure he can reach the spout easily? Does he have to reach up or climb on anything to reach the spout? If he does, lower the bottle down a bit.

Mash up some nuts and seeds as said earlier and give these from your hand. You will know then if he`s eating okay. The recipe I gave earlier in this thread works well. My dwarf hamsters snatches these from my hand!

Really hope your wee lad pulls though this. Are his poos normal yet or are you still finding mucky poo on his nesting? x

cypher · 05-05-2015, 05:50 AM

I'd agree with RH that if he is eating & taking his meds then it's too early to give up hope, they really don't drink much at all most of the time so he could still be drinking a little, you could try giving him a small piece of cucumber which would help keep him hydrated if he'll take it, even if he still has diarrhoea the moisture content will help him & I don't think it would make it worse.
Fingers crossed he'll pull through & begin to improve, you have nothing to feel guilty about, you're doing your best for him & can't do more.

lkw31 · 05-05-2015, 08:17 AM

He doesn't like cucumber so I tried him on a little piece of lettuce at lunchtime that I rinsed first, so was a bit wet and I hoped would help with the hydration. I held it near his nest and he woke up and grabbed it. So that surely must be good! I have also moved him out of the kitchen as I think it's way too noisy in there and put him somewhere quieter.

racinghamster · 05-05-2015, 08:24 AM

Lettuce is fine in small amounts but only feed it a few times a week. Great that he grabbed it though!

My Russian hamster also likes a wee piece of lettuce.

If he was in the kitchen, then yes, it`s much better to have his cage in a bedroom or living room away from the TV or direct noise. Hopefully with rest and some TLC, he will get through this phase. x

Thin Lizzy · 05-05-2015, 08:33 AM

Sometimes an ill hamster has to get worse before getting better. That happened with my eldest ham Archie and I really thought he wouldn't make it but he did. So please don't give up.