Please Help

[chloe9687]

Hi,

I am really stressing out. My hamster Denton has not been acting himself for a few days, lack of energy and slight diarrhoea. I thought maybe it was too much fresh food and told myself I’d monitor him and take him to the vets if he got even the slightest bit worse. This morning I woke up and noticed he ate and drank a little and felt reassured. I noticed his left eye was stuck shut so tried to clean it gently with warm water which he wasn’t too keen on and then let him rest.

It was an hour ago this all started though. I went to check on him and noticed his eye has got a lot worse, he’s wobbling when trying to walk and is pooping himself. I don’t know how this all happened so drastically and I feel horrible for not taking him to the vets when I first thought he was acting off. My vets charge over £200 for a consultation at this time and I have no way of paying/getting there. I left money aside to take care of him but not that much. I’m a student as well so that’s a lot of money.

I don’t want to make excuses. I can definitely take him in the morning and get the bus there but I don’t want to leave him to suffer all night, I can’t sleep. This is my first hamster and how quick he’s deteriorated honestly has me shocked. He’s only around 7/8 months old! I tried to make him comfortable whilst I figure this out, put his water and food near him and gave him some new bedding. I really wish I left more money aside for him though. I could try loan some from friends if I can get ahold of any... I’m a mess right now.

[flowerfairy]

You are doing all the right things for him.

Vet trip sounds like a good plan. Some vets will let you pay a bit at a time. You can ask when you book the appointment.

Best of luck. Hope it all turns out well.

[souffle]

He doesn't sound well at all. Sometimes even young hamsters can be born with something wrong inside or develop tumours which do cause them to die very young. Did he come from a pet store?
I would wait till morning but keep him warm but not hot and place food and water nearbye. I would give a little easy to eat food like some soaked cornflakes or some babyfood or ready brek. There may well be nothing you or anyone else can do to save him sadly if there is an internal problem. In the morning take the vets advice on what would be in his best interests. Hamsters with a bowel problem or an organ failure may not be able to make it through. Most vets can only offer antibiotics which if you feel he might be helped with them you could try however they often relapse with damaged bowels. I hope he manages overnight and he can be seen in the morning. Don't beat yourself up about it as you have tried your best and they are fragile little animals and can take a turn for the worst very quickly. x

[chloe9687]

Originally Posted by souffle

He doesn't sound well at all. Sometimes even young hamsters can be born with something wrong inside or develop tumours which do cause them to die very young. Did he come from a pet store?
I would wait till morning but keep him warm but not hot and place food and water nearbye. I would give a little easy to eat food like some soaked cornflakes or some babyfood or ready brek. There may well be nothing you or anyone else can do to save him sadly if there is an internal problem. In the morning take the vets advice on what would be in his best interests. Hamsters with a bowel problem or an organ failure may not be able to make it through. Most vets can only offer antibiotics which if you feel he might be helped with them you could try however they often relapse with damaged bowels. I hope he manages overnight and he can be seen in the morning. Don't beat yourself up about it as you have tried your best and they are fragile little animals and can take a turn for the worst very quickly. x

Thanks for the quick reply! Yes he did come from a pet shop and he had an eye condition when I bought him so I guess it all makes sense now. I just wish I took him in earlier before it got to this point but he honestly looked okay this morning. I took a look at him now and his eye is white and he’s wobbling. I feel horrible. The vets morning hours start at 8 but part of me hopes he goes in his sleep so he doesn’t have to go through the ordeal of being moved again...

Thanks for all the tips. I feel so helpless waiting till morning. I promised I’d look after him and, even if he has got some kind of illness through being from a pet shop, I feel responsible for not noticing he was suffering until now.