Concerned

Hmiforget · 04-05-2017, 03:11 PM

I have a Syrian hamster named Misha who is just over 2 years old. The other night I noticed he was not walking right. He was wobbleing, unsteady, and breathing heavily. Normally when I take him out of his cage he is energetic and runs around but this time he just curled up and slept in my hands. He would wake up occasionally and move around a little before collapsing and falling asleep. After about an hour of this he collapsed again and had foam coming out of his nose and had his mouth open gasping for air. Every breath he took I thought was going to be his last. This felt like it went on forever when all of a sudden he snapped out of it. He became more alert and steady. Not completely back to normal but breathing better and wanting to move about. The next day he was acting like nothing happened. He is eating, drinking, and going potty like normal. Any thoughts on what happened, is there anything I should do? He is my first hamster.

JLPrairie · 04-05-2017, 03:26 PM

2 years old is quite old, so prepare for the worst.
I would go to the vets, just in case. Even if everything is all right, and it does sound like Misha managed to pull back, it never hurts to be sure about these events

**Cinnamon Bear** · 04-05-2017, 05:00 PM

Heaven, my Syrian did something similar a few days ago. She made a loud noise & I looked down & she was on her side looking dead.

Then she snapped out of it, as if nothing happened..

Took her to vet, they couldn't say anything but to observe her. Now she's fine but I'm still worried that it could happen again since nobody knows what happened?

She wasn't just laying in a sleeping position, but she really looked dead, or on the verge of death.

Every day I wonder if it will be her last? I don't think about it alot but it was a strange experience.

Drago · 04-05-2017, 05:09 PM

I'm so sorry that you had to go through such an upsetting event

I'd take her to the vet ASAP, it sounds as though it was a seizure which can be extremely painful and upsetting for your little one. At his age and state, things don't look too good, but you'd be surprised what hamsters can bounce back from! Even if he can't pull through, it would only be humane to have him PTS rather than letting him continue to suffer. I hope everything goes okay, keep us posted

Thin Lizzy · 04-05-2017, 08:32 PM

It's never easy seeing our little ones slow down when they get older. Misha's a great age. Make an appointment at the vet, hamsters can surprise us by being off one day and fine the next.

Hmiforget · 04-10-2017, 07:55 PM

Well it has been a week since what appears to have been a stroke and Misha is doing very well. He is back to his old self. He is still super excited about his food (especially his treats!) and I have been checking to make sure he is drinking and eating his food, not just hiding it out of instinct. I know it will be hard when his time comes but it seems like he plans on sticking around for a while longer! Thank you to those who commented!

Drago · 04-10-2017, 08:01 PM

So glad to hear that he's feeling better! Obviously keep an eye on him to ensure everything is okay, and take him to the vet at the slightest sign of an issue. Best wishes

By the way, I apologize for calling him a "her" in my original comment! Where has my mind gone lol...

Thin Lizzy · 04-11-2017, 09:03 PM

That's so wonderful to hear. You acted fast and Misha's a little fighter.

Hamsterita · 04-12-2017, 12:51 AM

I'm glad to hear he is doing ok!

Hmiforget · 04-18-2017, 07:07 AM

It breaks my heart to have to type this but Misha had another episode on Sunday evening. This time he was not able to pull through. I was holding him as he took his last breath and passed on. He is buried in the back garden under a bush that will soon bloom with beautiful flowers.