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Old 02-27-2019, 10:19 AM   #1
BuNNY
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Default Stroke!!

Hi Everyone,

Its been a while since I was last here. It seems our male winter white is suffering a stroke, head is titled, spinning in circles, paralysis of his one arm, so he keeps flipping over when walking.

Is there anything we can actually do about this? Is there anything we can do to help him recover? I doubt a vet can be of any help in this case..

We are obviously very worried about him and have no idea what to do!
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Old 02-27-2019, 10:57 AM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Stroke!!

I think you should take him to the vet as a matter of urgency. There may well be something they can do and it needs diagnosing as they may need to prescribe medication. If you ring they should have an out of hours number so you could go first thing in the morning or even this evening. Meanwhile just try and keep him comfortable and in quiet. Can he climb at all? It might be an idea to remove any ramps or even levels in case he climbs and falls. Do you think he could have had a fall? The main reason to see a vet is to prevent suffering and get a diagnosis. Otherwise he may get worse and suffer.
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Old 02-27-2019, 11:14 AM   #3
BuNNY
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Default Re: Stroke!!

We have removed all ramps and everything now is on one level. He could not climb at all. This certainly doesn't look like he fell, this is definitely neurological based on this behavior we are seeing.

We will have to take him to the vet tomorrow. I was under the impression nothing could be done about this as I have seen on various posts online that there is no treatment for a stroke, and certainly didn't want to stress him more by taking him on a ride to the vet anyway because he seemed very distressed, we only noticed this as we were cleaning out his potty and sand bath. We will take him through tomorrow to get checked out.

Last edited by BuNNY; 02-27-2019 at 11:40 AM.
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Old 02-27-2019, 02:35 PM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Stroke!!

Sorry you sound like you know a fair bit about hamsters anyway It's difficult I know - I had a similar thing the other day - found a lump on our Robo. I thought it's unlikely they would operate on an older robo and wondered if I should just leave him to carry on. But - even though you think the vet can't do anything there may be something they know that we don't, or they may be able to prescribe something that helps. Or advise/diagnose/or just suggest things we hadn't thought of.

So I am taking our robo to the vet, because the vet knows more than I do and to be sure about things and discuss what next. So maybe a similar situation.

I don't mean to preach to the converted - but I would hold off cleaning anything at the moment -that could be partly why he got distressed - I know it was only a potty and the sand bath but maybe just do the potty next time and try not to change too much at once if he's feeling a bit vulnerable and unwell.

When they're poorly I don't think it's essential to have things perfect/clean. Within reason.
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Old 02-27-2019, 10:48 PM   #5
BuNNY
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Default Re: Stroke!!

Sadly we only realized after the clean that something was wrong, otherwise we wouldn't have known. Had a look at him this morning and he seems to be using his arm again, to dig through the bedding, but we couldn't convince him to come out of his house more than just his head and arms. If he is still having trouble walking etc then we will take him to the vet this evening.

He also seemed to have polished off his bit of spinach leaf we left in the cage last night, so he is eating at least.

Thinking back to when we had the "inner ear infection" I am starting to think that perhaps that was the first time he had a stroke and it wasn't an infection after all. its strange because he is only around a year old now.

I just hope he recovers from this.
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Old 02-28-2019, 02:45 AM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Stroke!!

Sounds like he wants to sort his cage out after the spot clean and get things how he wants. It may not be a stroke. Inner ear infections can cause balance problems as well. Although if he is not using a leg ....He sounds to be adapting. If it is infection he may need more antibiotics. I guess you’ll have to go with instincts. And play it by ear. But if he seems to be suffering it does need a vet visit. How old is he?
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Old 02-28-2019, 04:06 AM   #7
BuNNY
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Default Re: Stroke!!

He is just over 1 year old. If i see no improvement by the time I am home from work then its off to the vet. He has already been on a course of antibiotics about 3 or 4 months ago for ear infection, after we noticed his head was tilted.

But this behavior now is very different.

Will keep you updated
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Old 02-28-2019, 04:54 AM   #8
souffle
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Default Re: Stroke!!

I would take him in. An anti-inflammatory like metacam can help reduce any brain inflammation and help with pain relief as well with a stroke. It is possible that the ear infection is back and they can also get infections in the pouches or the roots of the teeth as well as brain tumours which can present with similar symptoms. I hope the vet can help but you will know you have done your best at least anyway once you have had him seen.
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Old 02-28-2019, 09:35 AM   #9
BuNNY
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Default Re: Stroke!!

First of all thanks for the responses! We came back this evening, and he looked a bit better, although still distressed and wobbly/falling over, he seemed a bit better than last night.

We took him to the vet anyway, the vet said although the symptoms were there, there is no ways he would be moving as he is now/bounce back from it so quick(a stroke), with specific mention of the fact that he can move in both directions.

He was certain that this was another case of the ear infection again!

so @Serendipity7000 & @souffle your advice was well received as getting him to the vet was obviously the best bet. We tend to panic when things like this happen. All the symptoms were there for us to assume a stroke, turns out its a more aggressive infection than the last one.

So we are on a round of baytril and cortisone again. its been about 30 minutes since the shots and he is now passed out in his house.

The trip to the vet also stressed him out a lot which cant be good for him, but I guess it is what we must do to get him well again.
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Old 03-02-2019, 03:59 AM   #10
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Stroke!!

It's all normal and understandable. I've just had the same thing with our dwarf and it took me a day or so to accept he needed to see a vet - it's a bit like a shock thing and we don't want to cause them more stress, but sometimes it's necessary and there are things we haven't actually thought of. I hope he does ok now and gets some relief. Our robo is very cross with me at the moment and runs away from me, but I put lots of treats and extras out to make up for it and he'll settle again soon I'm sure.

Your vet sounds quite good.
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