Even I'm stumped at this illness

squeakylittlepaws · 03-04-2017, 08:17 PM

My elderly syrian Hamela became exceptionally poorly about a week ago.

She's 2.5yrs old, she has a nice shiny coat, signs of muscle loss in back legs (but age related appropriate) sleeps alot but loves a little romp around, very friendly still active etc.

In the days before what happened and even that evening all was fine. She'd been out and was fine. About 3-4 hrs later, I was going to bed when I noticed she was slumped over. She seemed to get very very seriously ill, very quickly.

Her sides around her tummy were really sucked in, she was almost sort of panting. She suddenly seemed stick thin from the way her stomach was being pulled in.

In my hands she was floppy and cold, but seemed to appreciate the love. It's weird to describe but instead of being like 'leave me alone', she seemed comforted by my presence and my husbands.

She was mid way between being alert and out of it. She would have a moment of trying to get up before collapsing and laying down. I needed to reorganise her cage given she was so ill (move water bottle that sort of thing). I put her on the sofa her usual place for play. She walked a few steps near her favourite spot and then she laid flat out, so that her belly was entirely on the ground - not curled up but straight flat out.

I thought her time was up. My thought was heart problem/attack because of the lethargy/panting.

Back in the cage she was the same, choosing to find a corner to lay flat out - rather than going into her house. Very strange almost like she wanted her stomach against something cool. She was very wobbly every time she tried to walk.

She was bruxing which I felt indicated pain so I gave her some metacam because that's all I had, but mostly thought her time is up she is passing away and there's nothing we can do. I didn't think she'd be alive in the morning. But she was.

The next day she was very lethargic and wobbly again. But drinking water. One eye was sealed almost and slightly crusty.

She was ill for about 2 days. 3rd day showing signs of improvement and continued to go from strength to strength from there.

Anyway skip forward to now and she's completely fine. Eating, drinking, walking about, eyes are fine, side sucking not happening, no staggering about. She's just her usual self.

Vet has no idea what was wrong with her.

My only thought was - did she eat something bad? Obviously hamsters can't be sick and she didn't have a foul bottom. But given her recovery and duration of time being ill - 2 days and then improving from there, I can't help feeling it was gut related issue that once worked it self out of her system she got better.

This is a real stumper for me!

Anyone had anything like this? xx

Pebbles82 · 03-05-2017, 02:35 AM

It does sound like she was passing and then made a recovery. She is a very elderly little lady and no doubt somethings are wearing out and amiss. I suppose it could be that some blockage cleared or an abscess burst and cleared and she recovered from it - or something like that. Maybe the metacam helped if something was inflamed. Anyway I am glad she has recovered - she sounds like she wants to soldier on.

Your description of her being limp sounds similar to when Charlie was passing - night after night I thought he would go - and then he came round again. They are little fighters.

squeakylittlepaws · 03-05-2017, 05:25 PM

Yeah, to be honest I don't think she has much longer left.

Could of been a burst cyst - that's a good call. Xx

chesca_27 · 03-05-2017, 05:28 PM

I'm as baffled as you are to be honest! I hope she's ok now. I think the Metacam would have helped it anyway. Did you ask the vet about the Metacam? For now, I would leave her cage very simple with easy access to food and water and space for a big, cosy nest.

Thin Lizzy · 03-06-2017, 08:30 AM

That's so strange. It definitely sounds like she was passing but decided to fight it. Bless her!
I agree with Chesca, keep her cage simple and treasure every moment you have with her.

Hekomi · 03-06-2017, 08:32 AM

I wonder if maybe she had some sort of seizure? That would explain a possible recovery. That must have been very scary. Hugs to you.

souffle · 03-06-2017, 08:48 AM

It sounds like she may have had a stroke. They can make a really good recovery if they get through the first 24hrs after the stroke. The blood clot in the brain will have caused the symptoms and as it moved or resolved the damage in a certain area of the brain she must have started to recover. They can be prone to another stroke after having one though. She is a wonderful age and I hope she does well during her twilight times.