My boy is sick - Page 3

FreddyAndMe · 02-17-2016, 01:35 PM

Maybe leave him a shallow dish/bowl of water next to his nest, then he won't have to bend his neck to get a drink. At least you know that he finds you comforting, maybe take some pics of him cuddling so that when he hopefully gets better and begins with the hard man act and doesn't want you to hold him you can show him what he was like when he was poorly and wanting his mum to make him all embarrassed haha

**Cinnamon Bear** · 02-17-2016, 01:57 PM

Money wise if it would cost you the same at your small animal vet vs the exotic vet, even though it's a longer drive, in my opinion would be well worth the trip. You could make your hammie cozy enough cause the exotic vet is more experienced & your money would be well spent with a specialized vet rather than a vet who didn't even know to look at the hamsters teeth or suggest anti-biotics. I doubt its neurological because the vet didn't even do any x-rays to see if there were any internal tumors causing the problem?

Sometimes vets just say stuff to try to solve the problem when they don't know at all unless testing is done and that gets expensive so I think they just say stuff like that to make you feel better. I could be wrong but still think it's in the best interest of the hamster to go to an exotic vet.

Glad he's feeling a little better today and up to getting his teeth clipped. You as the patient should not have to suggest anti-biotics though.

cypher · 02-17-2016, 10:22 PM

That's a bit strange, the vet saying his teeth are fine if she didn't check them!
Good you've got an appointment anyway, if you're still not happy with anything at the vet just ask lots of questions, I always do!
One of mine had to have his teeth clipped regularly & it really didn't stress him out in the slightest so I hope it goes as smoothly with Nev. Keep us posted.
Having a good drink & some food sounds really promising.

Pebbles82 · 02-17-2016, 11:55 PM

I think you're doing the right thing - taking him to get his teeth clipped will make a big difference to his quality of life and he may rally round and improve x

Thin Lizzy · 02-18-2016, 06:09 AM

Don't take any nonsense off the vet and don't be afraid to ask questions, I find listing need to ask questions in my phone so I don't forget.

Lexieshamster · 02-18-2016, 12:23 PM

Thank you all for your help. I've taken some cuddly pictures FreddyandMe - it's sad but so cute that he's so cuddly. And I've moved his water bottle down as low as possible so he doesn't have to bend his neck. He's moved nests again and the bottle is right outside it.

So I decided to take your advice Cinnamon Bear and took Nevy on the long drive to see a specialist. I'm so glad I did because he was so good. He diagnosed arthritis in the spine causing pain and also numbness in his leg due to bones pressing on the nerve. So it's no wonder he's been so knocked off. He's given me some anti-inflammatory drops for the pain and wants to see how he is in 2 weeks time. So I've dosed him up and hopefully he'll be feeling better soon.

The vet said Nevs teeth are fine so I'll let the other vet off lol. I didn't see her check them but she probably did after all. They look long to me but must just be longer than I'm used to seeing them. He's been grinding them a lot but apparently that's because he's in pain.

kimlck · 02-18-2016, 05:40 PM

Hi, if you are worried about his teeth I would try a nut in a shell, we use peanuts and walnuts in shells.
With my oldies I tend to put the water bottle as low down I can.

Lexieshamster · 02-18-2016, 06:42 PM

Hi Kimick - I normally give him dog biscuits and he also has a chew toy he really likes but he hasn't shown any interest in either for a few weeks now. I think he's too weak to chew something so hard. He likes monkey nuts in their shells though and they are not as hard so I'll try him with some tomorrow - thank you.

cypher · 02-18-2016, 11:22 PM

That's great that you found a vet who really understands small rodents & can give Nev the help he needs.
Fingers crossed the meds will really help him & he'll start to get back to his old self soon.

Lexieshamster · 02-20-2016, 04:33 PM

Thanks Cypher. He's seems to be in less pain now. Not nearly as much teeth clicking and spending most of his time sleeping rather than laying awake in one place looking so unhappy. Not sure if the medicine is knocking him out or if the reduced pain is allowing him to sleep but I'm happy either way that he's not suffering so much.