Sick or trying to hibernate?

TsukiCatHammy · 11-01-2018, 05:22 AM

Hi everyone, so Hoji had been acting really off yesterday. He didn't get up for a drink in the morning like usual and then didn't get up all day at all I don't think. I took him out later at night and he just ran under the bookshelf and sat there, I placed him on my knee and he still sat there letting me stroke him. He normally can't stay still for the life of him. This had alarm bells ringing as I noticed he walked slow in his cage too. I've noticed that all the food I've given him has ended up in his nest after been put in a food ball but this has been going on for a while or potentially always I can't remember. As far as I know no wheel action or anything. He woke up when I checked on him but it's hard to tell if he's tired or I'll. apart from that he's stayed asleep almost all day

Does this sound like he's trying to go into hibernation or is ill? It's been really cold here in the U.K. Even with expected snow, o try keeping the heating on as much as possible but it is still cold. Could anyone advice?

cypher · 11-01-2018, 05:44 AM

They don't try to go into hibernation, if they get too cold then their bodies begin to shut down & they go into a state known as torpor, that's a serious problem & if they don't get warmed up quickly they can die.
What is the temperature in the room where his cage is? If you're not sure get a thermometer & check, it should be around 18-20C both day & night.
If the room is warm enough it does sound as though he may be ill & you would need to get your vet to check him to be sure what the problem may be, if the room is just a bit too cold then that could cause him to just stay in bed more & not want to come out.
If the heating is a problem then you can try using a heatpad like a snugglesafe under but not touching the cage, it needs to be a few inches below the base, I always put a fleece blanket under my hams cages in winter to retain heat too.
A small oil filled radiator can be cheap to run but effective in keeping the temperature up too.

TsukiCatHammy · 11-01-2018, 06:18 AM

Hi Cypher, I didn't know that thanks. Honestly I couldn't say the exact temperature and haven't got a thermometer but I know the radiators trigger at about 15.degrees Celsius tha last few days but the room where he is USB always the last one to turn on so I assume it's warmer here. I'm staying in to watch him today and if no improvement it's gonna be a vet trip tomorrow. Ta

cypher · 11-01-2018, 11:01 AM

If the heating is set at 15C then he may just be a bit cold but not cold enough to cause a real problem, it is worth getting a cheap thermometer just to keep a check on things.
It's a good idea to give a bit extra substrate if you can & a nice big pile of shredded toilet tissue to make a bigger warmer nest if needed.
Hope he's ok & not ill.

Pebbles82 · 11-01-2018, 12:20 PM

I would definitely get some warmth in his room and see if he comes round and perks up. Do you have a plug in electric heater! If so leave that on this evening and you could just turn the radiator off. Temperature needs to be at least 20 degrees which is the usual setting for a central heating thermostat - and they’re not very reliable if the thermostat isn’t in the coldest place in the house. If he comes round tonight then it’s probably a temperature thing. Not safe to leave an electric heater on overnight unless it’s an oil filled radiator and is on a plug in timer. So you could unplug the heater st bedtime and turn the ch radiator back on ready for the morning. I think it would becwortj investing in a small oil filled radiator and a plug in timer. I use those in winter so it comes on for a couple of hours in the middle of the night. Especially when frosts start.

It is cold at the moment and could well be that. As Cypher said make sure he has loads of nesting material - they usually build enormous nests when it’s cold.