Hamster won't eat, is dehydrated and looks weak.

[bribri1298]

Hamster name: Oreo
Age: 2 yrs old
Breed: Winter White Hamster


I went to check on my hamster, Oreo, today once I came back home from my classes and I noticed that he wasn't as hyper as he usually is. His arms were kind of bent like he didn't want to put pressure on them. I pinched his skin and he was dehydrated. So I went to the store and bought a syringe and gave him some water. I tried giving him some cucumbers since cucumbers have a lot of water content, but he didn't want to eat that (which isn't really that odd because he is a picky eater). He's been sleeping a lot, in places that I rarely see him sleep in. I've also been having trouble with his right eye being stuck shut from goo and looking very irritated for months now, which I assumed is from old age, my vet has prescribed him medicine over and over but after a couple of days, it usually shuts again. So usually I get a cotton ball, run it over warm water and open up his eye and that usually helps but today it went to being shut again. I took him out of his cage and put him on my bed and usually he runs around to the point where I have to put him back in, but today when I took him it out, he didn't want to move around a lot and he just fell asleep on my chest. This is odd behavior from him because just a couple days ago, he was so hyper and running on his wheel. Since there are no emergency animal hospitals around me that have knowledge on hamsters, I can't take him to the vet until Saturday, but the way he is acting, I'm afraid he won't make it to Saturday.

[souffle]

He is really a very good age for a hamster and it could well be nearing his time. The sticky eye problem is usually a symptom of something else going on rather than an eye infection. It's often a sign of general unwellness If you feel he is on his way to the bridge try and keep him comfortable and leave some soft food nearbye like babyfood or porridge and chopped cucumber to provide fluids and let him rest as much as he can.
If he seems in any pain then a vet visit is needed and if you have to make the final decision then you will have the vet's diagnosis to help you.
I wouldn't bother pestering to open the eyes as this can stress them.
I hope his path is gentle.

[tgsachris]

When my hamster rose was near death she refused to eat or drink too q.q I found that if I boiled water for a few hours with her favorite veggies in it, let it cool, then gave that to her via a syringe she would drink then. very small amounts but still something, I guess because it smelled nicer? She also kind of liked the mush over her hard food. Can't say for sure that would work but it kind of helped Rose out in her last few months

[bribri1298]

Hello. Thanks for the replies. I ended up taking Oreo to the vet on Thursday morning and dropped him for a check up. My vet called back and told me that Oreo had a respiratory infection, fluid in his abdomen, and a bad eye infection. They gave me some medicine but were pretty unsure if he would make it. The next morning, he had a little bit more energy but still would not eat. Saturday morning, I tried to give him some water and his medicine but he rejected and I knew that his time was coming. I made the difficult decision to put him down on Monday morning. On Sunday night, as I spent my last night with Oreo, I went to go check on him one more time before I went to bed. Sadly, Oreo passed away on Sunday night. This is difficult time for me but thank you guys for the replies back.

[souffle]

I'm sorry you lost him but you did your best and in the end he passed in his own bed surrounded by love.
Run free at the bridge Oreo x

[Josie]

Sorry to hear about Oreo you did your best for him and he lived to a good age, play well at the bridge Oreo hugs to you xxxx

[superhammygirl]

sorry to hear this.
You did your best.
Have a nice time at the Rainbow Bridge Oreo.

[Turrican]

Sorry to hear that you lost Oreo. May he play peacefully at the Rainbow Bridge x

[cypher]

So sorry for your loss.
Run free & play well at the bridge Oreo.