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Old 12-03-2015, 03:05 AM   #1
Angie B
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Question Arthritis?

Hi, our Syrian, Skittle, is about 18 months old and has an appointment with the vet tomorrow evening.

However, I was just wondering, has anyone ever heard of/dealt with arthritis in hamsters? He just seems a bit stiff in his back end/legs. He was in his ball last night but didn't seem to be enjoying it or moving around in it as normal so I took him out after only 5 minutes but then on the floor he was fine, and even put a bit of a spurt on running here and there, but mostly just walked, which is normal. His walk is more exaggerated than normal, his bum waggles a bit more if you understand. He can still get up (and down) his vertical tunnel okay, does that quite quickly actually because I watched him, but he has a shelf in his lower cage which he kind of falls off rather than climbs off, and is a bit stiff/struggles to get onto - although it has stairs he has never used them as they're open stairs and I don't think he likes them.

I think it's arthritis but as I say I'm popping him to the vet tomorrow anyway, but was just wondering if you lovely people had any ideas? He's eating and drinking, weeing and pooping fine, he's not squealing or anything, has no lumps or bumps that I can find in his back end (the vet will no doubt do a better examination than me).

Thanks
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Old 12-03-2015, 04:53 AM   #2
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Default Re: Arthritis?

Hi Angie, it`s good that your seeing your vet as they should be able to tell you whether there is anything physically wrong, although given his age, he may well be more stiff. I would personally not use the ball now and allow him to ply on a flat floor and adjust his cage to suit his current situation. He will obviously do what he has always done and that is try and climb or descend, but he could be more prone to falling or being less able to mange these tasks now, so whatever the vet suggests, I would still look at his habitat and make it a little easier for him to navigate. A vertical tube should be placed at an angle for example or removed altogether.

I wouldn`t put him on any drugs unless it`s for a good reason. If he`s eating well you don`t really want his gut flora upset if possible, although you ask the vet about this and whether he needs drug intervention or whether adjusting his environment would ease his mobility best. x
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Old 12-03-2015, 06:07 AM   #3
Angie B
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Default Re: Arthritis?

Thank you for replying, Racinghamster. I had considered altering him to just the one cage, which will be a shame as it's quite small really, as we can't put the vertical tube at an angle I don't think, it just wouldn't be possible - but I'll ask my husband as he's good with ideas like that.

Medicines/drugs I was thinking along the lines of perhaps pain relief, that was all, if that was necessary, but of course it's how to administer it anyway!

I will ask the vet about altering his living arrangements, see what she says.

Thanks again!
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Old 12-03-2015, 06:39 AM   #4
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Default Re: Arthritis?

No problem Angie. Pain relief can be a good thing but you said it yourself, it`s administering it especially if it doesn`t taste nice and wondering if it would have any desired effect on such a small animal with a high metabolism. If the vet agrees that it`s more stiffness due to bone density loss or old age, then perhaps you could ask the vet about supplements you could add like fish oils or vitamins that help the joints? S/he may suggest a few things rather then matacam. x
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Old 12-03-2015, 08:30 AM   #5
Angie B
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Default Re: Arthritis?

Oddly enough my husband suggested fish oils, Racinghamster!

I'll let you know what the vet says, again; thanks for your input, much appreciated
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Old 12-03-2015, 08:39 AM   #6
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Default Re: Arthritis?

If fish oil doesn't go down too well you could try flax oil or something similar, I use this & all my hams really like it, you only need a tiny drop.

I think with older hams much of the time it's a case of observing them & making any changes needed as you go along rather than making any big changes if he's mostly doing ok.
I'd ask the vet if you can mix pain meds with baby food just in case you do need them at some point, most hams will take meds in baby food without any problem.
I hope it's nothing too serious & he can continue to enjoy life for a long time yet, maybe just at a slightly slower pace!
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Old 12-04-2015, 12:53 PM   #7
Angie B
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Default Re: Arthritis?

Hi, well the vet thinks it's either arthritis or a neurological problem. Skittle's been prescribed an anti-inflammatory (Metacam for cats) at a very small dose for 4-5 days (we're to stop giving it on day 5 whether it works or not) but hopefully will see an improvement in a couple of days if it is arthritis.

If after day 5 there's no improvement then we're to go back to the vet for an x-ray to see if there's any compression in his back/spine area. If that's proved positive then I have no idea what will happen to be honest. As the vet said, they are so tiny and have such a short lifespan (it may be just kinder to let him live it out I suppose providing he's happy and healthy in all other aspects until he is in evident pain maybe is what she was getting at?).

But fingers crossed the Metacam will work.

In time we may have to alter his cage set up as Cypher has indirectly suggested but I did mention that to the vet but she said that while he's coping with his tunnels just leave him for now basically quality of life; he's enjoying himself so leave him be. No more hamster balls though I think, which is fine by us as he can't escape into the walls or anything - we're lucky that the lounge/dining room is hamster proof!

He didn't bite the vet either, which was nice!

Thanks for the suggestion on the oil as well Cypher and yes, she said if he won't take the Metacam from the bottle I can put it on food.
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Old 12-04-2015, 11:31 PM   #8
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Default Re: Arthritis?

Really hope the meds help & it isn't anything too serious, fingers crossed Skittle will be able to carry on living happily & comfortably with a little help from you.
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Old 12-05-2015, 03:09 PM   #9
Angie B
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Default Re: Arthritis?

Skittle's had his second dose of Metacam today, given on a raisin. He's not too sure of the taste, bless him, but his love of raisins overrides his dislike of the taste so he's had 2 lots. He still was very stiff tonight but he'd only just woken up and in fact he hadn't had a proper wash as his eyes were still half shut with sleep, and once back in his cage he went straight back to bed (he had woken of his own accord when we dosed him up). He's been up again since and seemed to loosen up a bit, but I think it's still too early as it's only day 2. Fingers crossed that by Tuesday there's a marked improvement.

Thank you all for your good wishes
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Old 12-06-2015, 12:08 AM   #10
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Default Re: Arthritis?

It is early days but it sounds promising!
Nice one with the raisin lol! It helps so much if there's something they just can't resist you can hide the meds on!
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