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Old 01-24-2020, 07:21 AM   #1
actual junk
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Default Elderly Hamster Unwell?

Norbert (Syrian Hamster) is coming up to be 1year and 10months, so he is officially becoming an old man, but I'm a little worried about him. He seems to be struggling more with grooming himself (he's long haired so I've always helped him out a bit but he's needed more help than usual lately). The last couple of days he has started to look a little..damp? under his chin and on his belly, and he's begun making little clicking noises. His water bottle seems to be working fine, and next door are getting some work done to their house so I don't know if it's just the noise stressing him out but his little clicks seem a bit too consistent for that? I am considering taking him to the vet, but I don't want to stress him out unnecessarily, especially as he's getting on a bit.

I also can't tell if he's a bit matted around his genitals? I will try to include pictures to show you what I mean about the odd 'damp' look he's got going.

Basically I'm wondering if anyone has experience with similar symptoms or has any advice on whether a vet trip would be the right move here.

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Old 01-24-2020, 07:46 AM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Elderly Hamster Unwell?

If you are at all concerned and you don't think he is his normal self, I would be inclined to take him to the vets, I was worried about taking my hamsters to the vets as you read all the time how people think it stresses them out, but if you weigh this up against them being possibly ill and something can be done for them, a vets visit is a no brainer. I know every hamster is different but I don't think a vets visit is as stressful as most people think it is for their hamsters.
For me, without seeing the photos, I would be inclined to take your hamster to the vets, it sounds like it has a few things going on that you are worried about.
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Old 01-24-2020, 08:02 AM   #3
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Default Re: Elderly Hamster Unwell?

Yeah I think that's a good shout. He otherwise seems very much himself, still as active and curious as usual, I just wanted to double check these seemed like red flags and that I'm not overreacting. I'm probably not going to be able to see the vet until Monday but I'm conscious that hamsters can go down hill very quickly.

I've managed a few pictures, sorry for the terrible photo quality, its really quite hard to see but the 'damp' look is primarily under his chin in the second photo.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Norbert Health 1.jpg (101.6 KB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg Norbert Health 2.jpg (79.8 KB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg Norbert Health 3.jpg (80.0 KB, 10 views)
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Old 01-24-2020, 11:50 AM   #4
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Default Re: Elderly Hamster Unwell?

Is he eating ok? What you describe could result from problems with his teeth, not uncommon in older hams. You maybe able to check them yourself but a check with the vet for any health issues would probably be best.
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Old 01-25-2020, 09:01 AM   #5
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Default Re: Elderly Hamster Unwell?

Probably best to get him checked by a hamster savy vet. It could be a tooth problem but also sounds like a possible respiratory infection?
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