Old Syrian Hamster is small and weak!?

BubbyandHamper · 02-26-2019, 03:02 PM

HI everyone and sorry for being inactive so long!

As the title suggests, my 3 year old boy Hamper is very small and weak. When I went to his petting zone to check on him today, he was very tiny and fragile. I got him out, and he was looking around weakly, and he fell over and had trouble getting up. I immediately put him back in his cage and refilled his water, but when I prompted him to drink it he didn't give a crap. I attached it to his cage and set him in front of it, he fell over and could not get up. I had to dig a small hole in his bedding and set him in it so he could drink without falling over, and, small funny part that made the situation seem worse than it was, when I asked him to drink he started shaking his head no. But it was only because he was investigating the bottle, thank goodness! He started chugging the water like he hadn't drank in days (which, becuase I'm irresponsible frick who only just realized she can take the bottle off, is probably true)! He seems to be better (and to understand what I mean when I ask him to drink more) now, and is sleeping peacefully in the hole I dug, any advice? I didn't do the pinch trick but I assumed he was dehydrated, stupid me!

Picture of Hamper drinking:

(Please don't talk about the Crittertrail, I know it's bad but my parents refuse to get anything better.)

Pebbles82 · 02-26-2019, 03:58 PM

Hi there. Three is a very great age. It is more likely that he is in his twilight time and getting ready to go. He probably had a drink because you wanted him to. They sometimes hang on a bit for us when they're ready to go. If he wasn't interested in water and was staggering about, he is probably failing. As long as he can reach his food and water that is the main thing. The bottle does look a bit low for him to drink out of. Is it the design of the cage or could it go a rung or two higher? So he doesn't have to bend his neck.

If he has started to stagger then he probably is quite weak and may have some organ failure. Is his nest anywhere near his water bottle? Or is it difficult for him to get to the bottle from his nest. I would just let him do his own thing peacefully and avoid cleaning the cage for now, and keep an eye on him. Give him some nice treats - doesn't matter if they're not too healthy at his age. They often like a bit of baby food or a bit of mashed banana.

You might need to prepare yourself for him leaving though. Hopefully when it's his time, he will just pass peacefully in his cage. They sometimes leave their nest when they're ready to go.

BubbyandHamper · 02-26-2019, 05:25 PM

His nest is in the petting zone atop his pink cage (he has two cages) but the filled water bottle is just outside his tunnel.

I've been out for quite some time, so I better check on him.

Edit: he is still on Earth, sleeping peacefully in his nest.

SyrianHammie · 02-27-2019, 04:52 AM

Three is a great age for your Hammie to reach!
Sorry to hear that you are starting to see the signs of old age but I do think it could be him preparing himself as well. All the signs suggest that he is getting older and his body could be telling him it isn't long. Just make sure he has enough food and water than he can easily get to from a warm, snug bed and make however long he has left comfortable and happy for him <3

BubbyandHamper · 02-27-2019, 07:27 AM

Update:
Hamper passed in his sleep last night.

souffle · 02-27-2019, 08:36 AM

Rest in Peace Hamper - please see memorial board.