Is it time?

[Pebbles82]

I am so sorry - it is clear you are going through so much pain. As you say a rollercoaster of emotions. It sounds to me as if you sense she is nearing her end, or at least is unwell and withdrawing. Such a hard time. I have often heard people on here say that a hamster seemed to be hanging on for their loved human, and needed 'permission' to stop trying to hang on. This is the same with humans sometimes. You and Jocardi will probably know when it is her time. Just keep talking to her - hugs.

[katjacks]

I think different people will have different opinions on this one, I wish I had got Max put to sleep at the beginning of the week rather than waiting till he got that bad he could not move and could not eat or drink, I hated the fact that he was in pain all the time but been a prey animal he tried not to show it and tried to carry on as normal,he was even eating a drinking fine up until the very last minute and at this point he could not walk, you need to weigh it all up in your head and make the decision yourself, you know her better than anyone and will know how bad she is and what is the best for her even if you do not think you do, I am so sorry she is getting like this I totally get how awful it is for both of you but I am sure you will make the right choice which ever decision you actually make.

[racinghamster]

From what you describe lady jocardi, she does seem still aware of her ability to eat and collect nesting and periodically get out and about when she`s not sleeping. The vet you saw has suggested to you that she has neurological issues, but given hamsters are small and can have many problems when they reach a certain age, a lot of which can be their body adjusting to those changes, it`s fair to say as long as the hamster is bright eyed and otherwise fairly doing okay, I don`t think she`s at deaths door just yet! I may be being too optimistic here, but I can only go on your words and the images shown. Human instinct is likely to play mind games when our hamster`s are not `right` and we automatically think that`s it. But give her the benefit of the doubt each day and even though she may seem down one day and up the next, if she started to send out real signals of nearing her end, those signals would be collapse, not wanting to move, lying flat and not breathing well, body cold and usually when this happens, they pass within an hour to two hours, but you would know by her actions and be able to consult your vet within a timeframe as they usually just ask you to go straight in without an appointment. However, they can sometimes g downhill overnight and pass before you can act so if you thought the previous day this was the case, then you could see your vet that very day rather than playing the waiting game.

But she looks still to have the will to live and as long as she`s not `in pain` and managing her daily tasks, enjoy her cuddles. x

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Like the others I can't say what choice to do, but I can tell you I have a Black Tort Dominant Spot girl here who is nearing 2 years old, and last week I had Pm'd Erin to say I would be laying to rest another oldster by tomorrow as she was very wobbly, unsteady on her feet, and had quit eating her favorite treats, and was very cold to the touch even though her bin was at 75 degrees F, and was nearest the gas heater to keep her warmest of all the bins in the house. When I picked her up she remained in a slumber and could barely open her eyes. The very next morning when I figured I would find her in her forever sleep in her lovely made nest I was greeted by her silly screeching yodel(She's yellow and has always gibber gabbered in complaint of just about everything)
Today she was battling her water bottle, and was running(well walking at her pace) on her Aunty Erin giving flying saucer While screaming at her bottle. Seems the bottle was being rude by being empty
I guess what I am trying to say is if she is still eating and drinking and still enjoying her life style I do say she is not ready to go to the bridge yet, but your heart knows the time is drawing nearer and you are in your own way preparing for it as best you can.

[candice clews]

Is she stumbly when walking? Aww bless so sorry your having to go through this, i went through it yesterday and it is horrible xx

[lady jocardi]

Hi Candice.... so sorry about Fudge. ��
She's not unsteady, she's not really even slow...but is slower than she was a few weeks ago. It's the heavy breathing that indicates a problem when you see her...Other than that she looks to be glowing. She was up and about most of the morning today so I reckon she will not be up tonight until much later....but...then she won't have her medicine on time bless her.
This time last night...I was 90%sure I'd be taking her to the vets today for the lsat time.....but when she did surface....no way dud she seem like she was ready to go! But I don't want to leave it too late. X

[candice clews]

Aww thank you! X hope she stays strong for as long as she can. Doesn't seem as if shes in too much pain if she is eating, drinking and wanting to come out of her cage my fudge had crackly breathing yesterday, just before he passed. Bless her x got to be really difficult for you! X you choose when the time is right . Sending lots of hammy hugs and thoughts your way!! Xx

[lady jocardi]

Jocci was active in the night but didn't want handling. She's got no intention of leaving her nest right now....tho has just eaten some egg...but didn't open her eyes. Not looking good this morning xxx

[cypher]

It does sound as though she's maybe just doing the things she needs to be comfortable now, lots of bedding & some food then back to bed to rest.
It's hard to know if the reluctance to be handled is just because she's feeling generally unwell or if she's in pain but you're doing all you can & keeping a close eye on her so I'm sure you'll know if there's anything more to worry about.

[racinghamster]

I agree. Due to her age now it`s better not to dwell too much on `is it her time`, but rather, take things a day at a time. I can say that an animal that stops eating due to breathing problems would probably have a severe respiratory issue going on, but an animal that still enjoys eating/drinking and fair mobility isn`t dying! She may be reacting to whatever her body is going through, but if it`s not totally limiting her ability to move and eat, I would say judge her on that. Try not to handle her either unless she wants to be. Let her stay in her cage and interact with her there or just little short cuddle times. x