When to see the vet...

[Dalis_mum]

Eddie and I have had a lot happen in the past few weeks and his condition is showing the effects and just wondering if I should see a vet or give a few days/a week to settle.

Firstly, he is 2 so some of the drop in condition may be age related. Unfortunately I was unable to obtain his usual nuggets at the start of November and was forced to switch more quickly that I was happy about to Harry Hamster musli, the best I could find. We then had to move house in a 3 day turn around so I couldn't adequately prepare him with his carrier in his cage for a week before hand, I tried to mitigate this by slightly reducing cleaning for the week after the move to keep his smell. The new house has been far from great so there's been lots of workmen. And whilst he's in a quiet spare room he will probably have been somewhat disturbed by the comings and goings.

I've done everything I can and I have now been able to source his previous food and slowly going to get him back on to it. He seems ok in himself but he has lost weight in his face and his fur is thinning.

Any advice appreciated. I just don't want to add more stress by going to the vet if it will pick up now things are getting back to a new normal.

[Vectis Hamstery]

What a lot you've both had to cope with! I like your idea of reducing cleaning so he can settle with familiar scent in his cage even if outside his home is different.

Have you checked his teeth? You say he's well in himself so, presuming the teeth are OK as well, I'd see how he picks up on his usual food. With all the disruption, I'd err on the side of avoiding supplementation he isn't used to, like porridge etc.

If he's used to a pelleted food, then he may have had an element of selective feeding with the muesli food, especially if he was getting new muesli daily. I've seen hamsters drop condition by being given additional muesli foods on a daily basis rather than more less often. That's not a worry anymore though as you have him back on his pelleted nuggets

[Flossypet]

Do you have anything substantial to tell the vet if you would go? If your hamster is looking unwell, they will often just give you advice and tell you to come back (and pay them again) if anything changes. If there is nothing that the vet would be able to do then there is no point in going.

[Dalis_mum]

Thanks for your advice Vectis. I really respect your opinion and input.

I gave him a thorough check last night. His teeth are fine and there's no lumps, bumps or broken skin.

The issue around selective feedings is why I've used nuggets for all my small fur babies. Here's hoping that a return to his normal food and things settling down will improve things.

Flossy, thanks for your advice but I don't share your skepticism around veterinary care. As a biomedical scientist I have worked in and with vets and I wholey understand the charges and what is available and should I see no improvement I will seek their help. Eddie is my responsibility and his healthcare bills will be part of that should it come to it.

[Dalis_mum]

Eddie seems much perkier this evening. I cleaned and rearranged his cage, got rid of hoarded Harry Hamster(I swapped it for nuggets) switch round some toys and gave him his Xmas present early. Hoping the change gives him some stimulation. He seems more agile and chipper. Just hope his fur comes back.

Thanks again for your advice Vectis. X