I think my hamster is dying

[tommywx]

Hello again everyone. I haven't posted here in a long while now. But I need help.

Earlier on, I went to my hamster cage ( HE is a small white hamster, not sure the breed) and my hamster was in the pipe leading out of his little sleeping box. he was just sitting there doing nothing, i flicked the pipe a little bit and called him and he was very unresponsive. 20 minutes later he was back in his tube, and he is acting very strange. He's never ever done this before.

He won't respond to my voice, he won't wake up. He is sleeping in a weird position, just hanging out of his little exit where he comes in and goes. His feet are hanging inside, and when I touch him and call him he does nothing. He always wakes up and starts nosing around the cage when i do, but he is just so unresponsive. He is breathing but quite slowly.

I don't know what to do honestly. He is quite old for a hamster, my sister bought him around 1 and a little over a half years ago. I found some rope in his sleeping area that is from his little jungle jim ladder, I was wondering if he chewed some and swallowed it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I don't really know if there's anything I can do

[Coco61]

I am so sorry to read this. We lost a ham only a few days ago. Sounds a bit similar behaviour. I cant tell you what is wrong only advise that you keep him warm, make sure water and food (softened if need be) are within very easy reach at floor level. If he won't move to them you can offer the bottle to him where he is. On a teaspoon offer soft food like porridge or baby food or selective science biscuits (crushed and mixed with water) if you have them. Keep a close eye on him.

[Vectis Hamstery]

I'm sorry to hear about your hammy. He does sound very ill indeed but peaceful; I've seen this before in hamsters who are nearing the end. I would not recommend giving him fluid by syringe or dropper as if he's semi-conscious he would not be able to swallow it properly and it could cause him distress. You could offer a drop or two of water on a finger near his nose and see if he takes it, but he may well not (hamsters don't feel the need to eat or drink at the end of life). I wouldn't give a water bowl if he's very wobbly on his feet or semi-conscious as there's a risk of him falling in it and being unable to move out.

I would keep him quiet and warm. He may not want to be back in his sleeping box and that's ok. You can sit near his cage and speak softly to him or leave the room he's in and pop in at intervals to check on him. Either is ok.

I hope his passing is peaceful. Thinking of you both.

[tommywx]

Thank you for the help everyone. Honestly I knew this day was coming but didn't expect it any day soon. I'll put some crushed food and water up in his bed to save the trips.

[Coco61]

The advice from Vectis is based on huge experience rather than mine. I can only say that our boy drank a little on the first evening he did not stir but took nothing at all in his last 24 hours. It is a gentle and peaceful way to go in his nest.

[Vectis Hamstery]

Coco61, I think you posted as I was typing. Your thought of offering the water bottle and easy to eat foods if the hammy wants them are good ones. Sometimes I pop a bit of cucumber near where the hamster has chosen to lie for a moisture source or offered moist foods such as you suggest (I've just had some problems using water bowls for very unwell rodents in the past so personally prefer to avoid them).

What is your little one's name, tommywx?

[Coco61]

Yes, cucumber was left for Jarvis too. The advice about a water bowl did not occur to me as we have never used them.