Will this little Guy be alright?

[arfey]

Today I adopted a little guy off gumtree, as i was concerned for him. This is the state of the cage he was living in. In addition to what you can see the water in his bottle was turning dark. He was shy and hid in his house, when I lifted it gently yet more poop started falling out.

I've ordered an Alaska for him that's showing up tomorrow with all the bells and whistles, I thought he would be able to stay another night in the cage, but when it arrived I realised he couldn't.



I've made him some temp digs as shown till tomorrow. He had just a house, a food bowl and a water bottle. The food bowl seemed to only have the little brown cylinders you get in the normal mix. He didn't have a stash at all and as you can appreciate the cage is tiny

There were a few cobwebs and flies on the old cage, I've had to chuck it, and hoover up quickly as I don't want my other animals getting sick.

He is very shy and nippy, understandably but seems in good health, we gave him some carrot and he got through it very fast, my other two have never eaten it as fast. Generally he seems in good health a few tougher spots of fur, as if it needs grooming, no bites on examination.

He is also thin, you can see his bones at times.

Overall is there anything I need to look out for and can I feed him normally, will he need extra or less initially to get him to a healthy amount.

It's been a very emotional day for us but if this little guy is okay in the end it will all be worth it. We don't care if he isn't cuddly or whatever we just want him to be okay, move into his Alaska, have lots of toys and be happier.

[Jen250]

Oh my goodness, the poor thing! Is that a bird cage? I have no advice, just wanted to say it's wonderful what you're doing for him.

[Piebald]

Oh that is shocking neglect. Is he a Syrian? I can't really tell. I'd suggest maybe one of, I think it's racinghamster's, favorite things, an upside down tissue box with no bottom "floor" so it sits on the substrate with a door cut into the short side for a house. I see him not going in the lovely house you provided and I wonder if he might prefer a bit bigger and darker house. ETA or fit a bendy bridge over the entrance to make a tunnel and keep it dark inside. Bless you for taking him in. I hope he gets healthy. Maybe try a small piece of cucumber or apple to keep his hydration up? Anyone else think?
Can't wait to see him in his Alaska. xx That cage looks like a bird cage.

[arfey]

He didn't like the house at first till we put a small piece of cardboard over just under half of the bin, now he's okay. He's wandering around munching everything, poor little guy seems starved. In his Alaska we will probably put the house under the shelf.

He has done about twenty poos though, not exaggerating. I'm wondering because there was so much in his old cage, could he have maybe held it in, as all of them look pretty normal. I did notice his tummy was an odd shape before but is better now he's been to the loo so much.

He does have a tissue box in the other corner just in case, and a gnaw block just for now, as well as ample food and water, water bottle was a bugger to set up but got there. There are a few extra things coming for him tomorrow too.

I will give him some Kiwi as that should help with hydration and I don't have apple/cucumber at the moment and he looks as though he deserves it.

[Piebald]

Sounds good! Be a bit careful with too much fruit as it might give him some runs. Poor guy holding in his poop. xx

[souffle]

well done for rescuing him. You are doing great. I'd advise taking it slow with too much extra stuff but gradually build up over a few weeks. With all starved animals it can make them ill suddenly getting a load of food even though you feel they need it. The hamster mix is fine but gradually introduce veg and a bit of extra protein like chicken / cheese / pasta etc one at a time and monitor how his tummy copes. Glad he is safe now. Carefully introduce the new cage I'd say so as not to stress him. At fist let him play in there for an hour, then back then a couple of hours then leave him overnight. Transfer some of his old bedding and toys when he moves o keep his scent and keep things calm and peaceful x What have you named him?

[arfey]

We were thinking Denzil originally, as the rats are Dizzy and Dylan and the other Syrians are Dora and Daisy, but we're also considering Lucky, as the poor guy seems lucky to be alive.

[Shannonmcn]

No better advice from me than you've gotten already, just glad to read a rescue story! Poor little guy has been through a lot I hope he gets settled and healthy soon!

[racinghamster]

Isn`t it shocking in the 21st century that people can still keep a Syrian hamster in such a prison? You have done him proud arfey and he can only thrive now. Looks like he was eating some kind of pellets? It beggars belief that they survive at all with such little food and enrichment.

Oh yes, thanks Piebald for mentioning the upside down Shoe box as a sleeping house! These are great for Syrians and dwarf hamsters they are light enough for the hamster to move, chew and even sit on top! I use a long tissue box for my Russian dwarf, he loves it!

Can`t wait to hear how he`s doing and WELL DONE for giving him a better life. x

[BluerayDarkes]

Some people just shouldn't be allowed to keep pets.