Unwell Syrian Hammy

[bantha]

We have a 2 year and 3 month old long-haired Syrian Hamster that has been very inactive the past week.

He hasn't been coming out and using his exercise wheels and disc.

He's been sleeping past his normal wake time of 9:30pm. I've stayed up until 3am and he's still asleep. And this evening he left his food in his bowl. He also isn't sleeping in his nest. Instead, he's sleeping out in the open and breathing heavily.

I finally took him out around 11pm and he allowed me to hold him without moving away. Usually when he just wakes up, he doesn't want to be held. I gave him some grated cheese, and a piece of celery and carrot. He ate the cheese and pouched the vegetables.

His eyes look clear. His fur is a bit unkept, but I just woke him. His teeth seem normal. His tail is dry.

Does anyone have any ideas?

[cypher]

It sounds as though it may just be old age.
The heavy breathing is a bit of a concern, it may be that he's reaching his time to go to the bridge now but if he continues to seem healthy other than the breathing & lack of activity then it may be worth a vet check just in case he has a respiratory problem.
Even if his teeth are ok he may not want his normal food so much so you could try offering some soft foods in addition, soaked mix, porridge, scrambled egg & safe baby foods are all good to try.
At this age they often become much less active & just want to sleep most of the time, make sure food & water are within easy reach of where he's sleeping.
Keep him warm too, lots of shredded toilet tissue to nest in, even if he seems to prefer sleeping in the open give lots.

[Pebbles82]

Two years and three months is a great age for a Syrian hamster. It does sound like he is failing. Cypher's advice is good. Keep talking to him. If he is sleeping out in the open I think he may be ready to go. They often leave the nest when they're ready to go. It's a hard time but if he is ignoring food and has left his nest he may be ready to leave. If he carries on like this too long he may need to be helped on his way.

[Thin Lizzy]

I agree with Cypher & Serendipity, 2 years & 3 months is a great age and him slowing down is expected, make sure he's got extra bedding for comfort and talk away to him, he may not be visible to you but he'll hear you.