Oreo might be dying?

Snowz · 05-22-2016, 11:28 PM

Hello everyone,

This is a horrible thing for me to write but I need to know if you guys have any advice and ways I can make her comfortable.

Last night I came downstairs and I thought there was something in the cage that I thought looked like rocks in the corner, I thought maybe my mum put them in there to help her claws? but it wasn't, it was Oreo's leg and body. Of course at this point I started crying, was she dead?

My mum told me she's been like it all day (laying in the corner, with her head pressed upon the side of the cage.) We couldn't see if she was sleeping or breathing and we lifted the top of the cage up to see if she was alive and her eyes were squinting at us and I gave her a little touch with my finger nicely down her fur because I didn't know if that would be that last time. She then got up, and she wasn't walking properly..she was falling on her side quite allot and then she tried sitting in her food bowl? she tried digging in there and trying to sleep? she then tried to climb over some beading to get near her strawberry hut and she fell off in a backwards motion.

She then went to a new corner and started digging the bedding, we lifted one of the 'stairs' that go to the shelves on the cage because it was against her body and we didn't think she was going to be able to use them. She then tried a different corner and then moved to the one she was in before, she dag the bedding again like she was getting ready to go and she closed her eyes and put her head up against the cage, I said about how much I loved her just in case she wasn't alive this morning.

This morning I've woke up and she's still going strong, she was still in the same corner (same position) which makes me think shes been like it all night.
I lightly called her name and she tried to look up and then she started shaking very fast but that then stopped.

Shall I give her food? I don't want to disturb her. My mum just said she's going to try and put a little bit in but shes going to try and be very quite not to disturb her or shake her up.

Any advice on how I can make her comfortable? and have any of you guys experienced this?

Quick responses and feedback would be great as I'm off to school soon.

Snowz · 05-22-2016, 11:32 PM

Okay - my mum tried to give her food and she doesn't want it, and she has gone back in the SAME position again.

If she is still alive when I come home could I hold her wrapped up in a blanket or does she want to be alone, peacefully?

cypher · 05-23-2016, 12:22 AM

Really sorry to hear this sad news.
How old is she now?
It sounds as though she may possibly have had a stroke.
Best thing is to keep her warm, quiet & comfortable, if she does go on like this I would take her to the vet as it's hard to know if she's in pain or not at this stage.

Pebbles82 · 05-23-2016, 01:19 AM

I would think it would be nice for her to have gently cuddles and stroke her in a cosy blanket. I am sure she would get comfort from that.

She could have a fall now if she has had a stroke so you'd be best taking out anything she could climb on. I guess a shelf would be ok left in if she can't climb up to it, because that also gives a bit of shelter/roof cover if she needs it.

When you get home from school, see how she is and also see if you can get a vet appointment maybe. Do you have a pet carrier? I think you might need to see how she is later maybe before deciding.

Snowz · 05-23-2016, 11:26 PM

Hey guys,
Okay so when I came home yesterday my Mum told me Oreo ate food and drank water, she came out her house to me and she seemed so much better! I was able to take her out with a pink blanket.

Later on in the evening Oreo came out of her strawberry hut and she was 'waddling'? she then had the same thing as the night and day before. She fell on her side and struggled to go to one of the corners. Once she got to her corner she laid and her breathing was very fast.

She was like that for a good 5-10 mins. Then she tried to move over to a corner under a dark shelf where her strawberry hut is, she then laid there again, then she tried to climb over her strawberry hut and was slipping? and then when she got over it (slowly) she did it again and again? then she went back in her corner and laid there and I had to go to sleep for school.

Now that I've woken up, shes in her strawberry hut.

This could be strokes or old age? but my mum said if this carries on then she will have to take her to the vets.

Cypher - Well I got her from Pets at Home and they didn't know her exact age, but they said around 8-10 weeks and I've had her for more than a year now. I do think this might be strokes or old age.

Serendipity7000 - Yes I gave her little cuddles in the blanket yesterday when she was fine? but then it happened again last night/evening.

I've taken out one of her ladders to get to two of her shelves because I don't want her climbing at the moment.

cypher · 05-23-2016, 11:29 PM

It does sound like it could well be a stroke Snowz, anything over 18 months is considered a good age by some people, how well they age does vary a lot though.
I would take her to the vet & not wait any longer than you have to as she is obviously struggling & if nothing else they may be able to give her something to make her more comfortable.

Amber_x · 05-23-2016, 11:32 PM

I think it could've been a stroke, you should probably take her to the vets. Has she had any fluids? If not you could try giving her some water on a spoon or in a needle less syringe (if you have one)

Snowz · 05-23-2016, 11:33 PM

Cypher - Yes my mum is going to see how she is but my vets don't help small animals or hamsters so the only thing they would do is put her down.

Snowz · 05-23-2016, 11:34 PM

Amber_x - When she woke up in the evening she drank loads and then went back to sleep, then it happened later on in the evening, and my mum said yesterday she did drink when I was at school.

Pebbles82 · 05-24-2016, 12:38 AM

It does sound like a stroke. You are doing the right thing taking the ladders out. From what I've read round and about she may carry on like that for a while, may stay wobbly or may improve, and may need soft food now and less veggies. (There's another thread here on it).

Hamster stroke