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Old 03-25-2020, 02:11 PM   #1
hsinixx
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Default How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

Hi there,

I have a female syrian hamster, she's now over 2 years old, probably about 2 years 2 months.

She had an ear infection a few months ago which i got antibiotics for and its cleared up. Around that time i noticed that her right leg was a bit loose, like she was having trouble picking up that foot, which has got worse now to the point it hangs down a lot and is dragged behind her.

She has a large tank with a large, wooden wheel(no gaps) its actually a rat wheel so nothing has injured her leg.

Her eyes are crusty everyday but i clean them. She also gets this issue with her backside, she seems like she's struggling to reach there at times.

She's a little wobbly, slower and her belly looks a little swollen but it has done for a number of months now, she is still pooping though, probably not as much as she was.

She doesn't seem to go on her wheel now but she's always been given a run around literally everyday for over 2 years so i still do this and shes getting around ok.

Shes still eating and drinking.

I want to know, at what point do i get her euthanised? I don't know if she's in pain, i feel like i shouldn't because she's still eating and drinking and is able to walk but at the same time, she is in her bed a lot...i've also noticed that her temp is lower when i pick her up from her bed(my room is warm) she feels lukewarm almost and then warms up more when out.

I don't want her suffering but i just don't know when the right time is?

What do i do? Is there a right time? Should i wait until she stops wanting to eat and drink?

I've had hamsters before and gerbils and they usually go downhill really quick, sit outside their bed and that's when i have them put down but i can't tell with her as she's still eating very well and going to the toilet.

I've just seen her struggling to remove treats from her pouch there as well before falling asleep because she's tired.

Any advice would be great, thanks
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Old 03-25-2020, 02:24 PM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

It can be hard to judge if & when it may be necessary to help them on there way, they are good at hiding pain so that can be difficult to guess although is you do think she may be in pain a vet may prescribe metacam to help with that.
Sleeping a lot & being much less active is normal with older hams, if they are eating, drinking & see content with that it may well be fine to let her carry on as she is.
You know her so you will probably know if it is the time if her quality of life becomes too poor & she no longer seems comfortable.
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Old 03-25-2020, 02:42 PM   #3
Vierville
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

It is one of the most difficult decisions a pet owner can ever make, probably the most difficult.

I have recently been through this with my little Monty, a 21 month old Russian Dwarf Hybrid. She was also much more lethargic and had a swollen tummy but was eating and drinking still. She had lost a lot of weight despite eating still.

She didn't seem to be in pain but I decided to get her checked by an exotic animal vet. The most important consideration should be quality of life.

The vet examined her and found that the swollen tummy was due to a huge internal tumor that was pushing on her digestive organs. He advised that it was definitely causing discomfort, if not pain, and that the point where the discomfort would turn to pain could come at any moment.

Since it was an inoperable situation and I really wanted to spare her the suffering of having it get to a point where it became painful, we decided to have her put to sleep.

My suggestion is to try to take your hammy to the vet for a general health check. They will be able to advise if she is likely in any pain or discomfort.

You can then base your further actions on the result of what the vet advises.

Best of luck and may whatever happens be gentle.
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Old 03-26-2020, 03:24 PM   #4
hsinixx
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

Thanks for the replies!

She's been sneezing a fair amount as well and has a wet sound when sleeping, not a click but a popping sound so i took a guess that maybe it's a respiratory infection. I had a video call with the vet and i asked for antibiotics which i picked up today. He told me to try her for a week and if she doesn't respond, i should put her down.

She's had two doses so far. I've put oats in, cucumber, grape, she's had toast, hamster popcorn, her normal food etc and she's definitely eating. I didn't get her out for a run tonight but i did clean her back end.

I will see how she does the next few days, if she's not better by Saturday, i think it would be in her best interest to be put to sleep but i thought i might give it one last shot. Saw a post on here which her symptoms matched with. I mean, it's maybe just old age but the popping sound and sneezing is a bit odd...i don't know if that's normal when they're not well?

Her eyes are still shut with crust but i didn't clean them as she's needing her rest, not me prodding her and getting her face all wet. She's just been up now to pee and has just eaten a fair bit...just added more bedding into her nest so she's warm.

Fingers crossed!
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Old 03-26-2020, 07:23 PM   #5
Vierville
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

It sounds like you're doing everything you can for her. I really hope it works and that she responds well to the treatment.
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Old 03-26-2020, 11:28 PM   #6
cypher
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

I do hope the meds help & she can live comfortably for a while yet but you are doing all you can & giving thought to her quality of life which is the main thing.
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Old 03-29-2020, 02:45 PM   #7
hsinixx
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

Hi, my hamp has rapidly developed a lump on her right hand side. It is massive and its taken only a few days to get that big. She's had a limp for a bit now but nothing was showing. She was responding ok to the antibiotics, seeming more normal but her ears are still back and she's still not been out much.

I'm booking an appointment tomorrow to have her euthanized. I tried but i can't leave her like that, the lump is massive! She's older now and she's had a good life and it's not fair to keep her going any longer. This whole covid19 thing is going on as well so i don't even know if they'll allow me in with her, they've been leaving people standing out in the car park so that makes it even worse...
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Old 03-29-2020, 11:27 PM   #8
cypher
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

I'm sorry to hear that, it is a very difficult time to have to deal with this but you are doing the right thing for her, I know it's going to be hard for you if you can't be with her at the vets & it may be stressful for her but only briefly & it's really the only action you can take now.
I'm glad she's been able to have a good life with you, sorry it had to end this way but at least she will no longer be suffering.
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Old 03-30-2020, 04:40 AM   #9
hsinixx
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

Hi there, that's her away. She had a massive lump according to the vet, full of fluid with a harder lump underneath on her belly. She still has a walnut in her pouch, such a shame. Feel like it was absolutely the best decision considering it was quite likely she was in pain/discomfort. Thank you for the replies!
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Old 03-30-2020, 04:50 AM   #10
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Default Re: How do you know when its time for them to be put down?

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