Hamster is all of sudden showing signs of unwellness.

[hayleyandpedro]

So I'm new to this and I just thought I would ask people's advice before I consult a vet. I've had my hamster for just a little over a year and he was always active and always running around in his cage but for the past day or two he has become isolated and won't come out of his house. He's very weak and feels cold to the touch, he's hunched over when he walks and he really unsteady on his feet to the point that he's actually falling over onto his back. He has really matted fur around his bum, and has lost his appetite and isn't drinking unless I hold his water bottle to his mouth.

I don't know whether it could be wet tail, or something else. So I was wondering if anybody had any advice they could offer me?

Thank you in advance.

[RubyDG]

I usually let the more experienced members answer illness related questions but considering the late hour I'm going to answer based on what I have learned through previous members having similar problems and just what I have picked up over time.

Definitely take him to the Vet straight away. All those symptoms are signs that he is really unwell. Unfortunately hamsters can deteriorate very quickly so I would get him an emergency appointment first thing in the morning. In the meantime try and keep him warm. Increase the room temperature and give him loads of extra bedding. I would continue to make sure he is drinking fluids as well. See if you can at least get him to eat some soft foods, something like plain porridge or baby food (make sure to check ingredients are safe). I know it's probably late where you are and you may not be able to go to a shop to get something so you can also try taking pellets from his regular food and mashing it up with some warm water to soften it to try and encourage him to eat. Also make sure you remove any soiled bedding if there is any, as much as you can without stressing him out. Vet can confirm if it's wet tail or not but if he has diarrhea it's important to keep him hydrated and warm.

Keep an eye on him tonight if you can. Hopefully the Vet can sort him out - let us know how your little guy is doing.

[racinghamster]

He doesn`t sound well at all if he`s falling over and feels cold so follow RubyDG`s advice and see if you can get him to a vet. It`s never easy to say what their cause of illness is but symptom-wise, he`s obviously weak and not managing well. Keep his nest area cosy and keep the room heated. Has he deteriorated slowly or was he fine the day before? He may have an acute problem that has came on quickly, or he may have something more sinister going on. Wet tail is usually something younger Syrians get, but adult hamsters can also succumb to it or similar gut problems.

Offer him water and a small piece (fingernail sized) of apple and see if he takes that. Keep him hydrated and if you manage to keep him well enough and see a vet soon, the vet may give him an injection or oral medication, although a hamster that has not picked up within a day or two can deteriorate more, so drug therapy may or may not help, but it will depend on what the vet thinks.

Really hope your wee lad picks up. Let him sleep and keep his food and water low down and easy for him to access. x

[Pebbles82]

Agree - he needs to go to the vet urgently. As for what it might be, I'm not experienced enough either. But falling over could be weakness or he could have had a stroke. Combined with the matted bum area sounds like digestive problems or diarrhoea which could be wet tail and could be weakness, or there could be more than one thing going on. A vet will be able to diagnose and advise on what to do. It sounds like he could be suffering though so definitely take him and see what they say.

Do let us know how you get on.

[hayleyandpedro]

Thank you to everyone for all your advice, I took him to the vet first thing this morning and they told me he had some blockages and because of that he couldn't wee or poo and so the potassium in his body was dangerously high and was causing his heart rate to slow right down, they said if it got any worse his heart would stop altogether. So they advised me to hospitalise him so that they could monitor him closely.

I later got a phone call for an update, they said that they got his temp up and his heart rate too, and so she felt around for the blockages and there was a lot more than what they realised so she tried to unblock them and help him wee but he didn't like that at all, so he keeled onto his back and shuddered and passed away :'( she said they did everything they could, tried to resuscitate him and give him oxygen but he didn't respond I'm going to go pick him up in the morning.

Thank you once again for all your help

[Piebald]

Sorry for your loss. It does sound like everything possible was done. Poor little mite. Glad he is at peace now at the bridge. xx

[Pebbles82]

So sorry hayleyandpedro. He's free now and not suffering. He was lucky to have you to care for him and love him. Big hugs for you xxx

[RubyDG]

I'm so sorry to hear your little guy didn't make it .

[oranges123]

So sorry to hear that - my hamster passed away today to and it was so sudden it shocked me and my whole family. One day she was fine and the next day she wasn't, we have no idea what happened.

[racinghamster]

So sorry to hear this Hayley. It`s probably better he`s not feeling any pain now poor lad. x