Syrian wobbly and heavy breathing

goldenkimono · 02-14-2019, 08:16 AM

So Rookie seemed to be perking up: Baytril got her to stop wheezing and she started to eat and drink again on her own. There's no more clicking when she breathes, but now she's breathing quite heavily and she's rather wobbly too.

Seems to have difficulty opening her eyes too.

She's not even two years old yet, so does anyone have any idea what this could be? The vet told us to leave her eyes be as she was extremely distressed before, but we tried to clean them just now as she's much calmer. They still won't really open, but I don't know if we should just try again and I don't know if her eye issues add to her being wobbly. Also, although she is drinking again, for a few days we had to force her to drink and she's still not drinking nearly as much as usual. Could dehydration be a problem?

Thank you for any advice!

Pebbles82 · 02-14-2019, 08:27 AM

Hello. When you say she's not even two yet, do you mean she's nearly two? If so that is really quite old for a hamster. They are considered old from 18 months onwards.

It does sound like she is in her twilight time and failing. They can have all kinds of organ failure as they begin to suffer from old age - often kidneys and liver and possibly heart as well.

Is she still eating on her own? If she has stopped drinking and eating it really is a sign that she is suffering and you may need to think about helping her on her way. I wouldn't force her to drink. You could put some water on a teaspoon or in a syringe or dropper bottle and see if she voluntarily takes it from there, but don't force her.

Although sounds like she has started drinking on her own again. To be honest I would just do whatever you can to keep her comfortable and feel loved.

Don't clean her cage out or do anything with her nest. If she uses a litter tray you could empty that or spot clean her pee area once a week maybe but try not to disturb her too much.

Try feeding her tasty things on a teaspoon - a bit of baby food or porridge - anything she will enjoy basically.

I'm sorry to say but it does sound like she is near her time. Further vet visits would just be stressful so it's more a case of keeping her comfortable, letting her eat whatever she enjoys (even cake!).

If she struggles to reach her food and water bottle, move them close to her nest.

goldenkimono · 02-14-2019, 08:33 AM

She's about 1.5 years old, I believe (though I'll need to check when exactly we got her, because she may be a bit older than that). She does eat on her own, but seeks out the smallest bits, and the forcing to drink: yeah, it was more a matter of helping her drink, not trying to force water into her, of course! That would've been even more distressing for her.

I will move her food and water nearer and will follow your advice on the food in general. She's such a good little hamster, most gentle creature I've ever encountered, and she definitely deserves to be comfortable, so I'll do my best with that.

cypher · 02-14-2019, 08:50 AM

Sorry to hear she's still not well, is she still on the baytril or has she finished that now?
It's hard to say what may be going on, whether she still has an infection somewhere or not, i would talk to the vet again & see what they say.

goldenkimono · 02-14-2019, 08:55 AM

She is still on Baytril, the course we got lasts till Saturday. So perhaps I am just too impatient (plus, my dad is currently dying, which means I'm assuming the worst for everything anyway). I'll still make sure she can reach her food and water more easily, but will try to contact the vet soon.

cypher · 02-14-2019, 08:59 AM

I'm really sorry to hear that, it must be a very hard time for you & it's only natural that you'll be worrying more right now, it might help to speak to the vet either to just put your mind at rest or to let you know if there's anything more you can do, uncertainty is always the hardest thing I think.

goldenkimono · 02-14-2019, 09:23 AM

True, it's not knowing if she's just reacting to the antibiotics or if this is indeed the end (she came out again to drink). I'll start by ringing the vet, can't hurt. And thank you for your replies!

Pebbles82 · 02-14-2019, 01:14 PM

Sorry to hear it is such a hard time. Yes maybe there will be improvement when the Baytril is finished xxx