Big Health Problem

[user38725]

I have a 2 year old male Syrian hamster, and 2 days ago both of his eyes were completely shut, he couldn’t see. So I used warm paper towels and cotton buds to gently clean it and it worked. Then the day after they were totally shut again. I’ve managed to get them half open again but it will probably happen again. On top of that he has not been eating or drinking and he barley pees now and when he does poop it’s really soft and sticky with yellow bits. Is it an infection or is it normal sleep “crust”, is his new behaviour and poop because of his eye? Any advice would be appreciated, otherwise I will probably take him to the vet if it’s not any better.

[user38725]

Also he has barley been coming out of his hut, even at night.

[LunaTheHamster1]

Umm, sorry to hear this, it does sound like a lot is going on for your hamster. The poos does not sound good, what are you feeding him at the moment? any change in food (although you said he wasn't eating)?
have you changed the substrate/bedding you were using at all, just in case it's an allergy setting off his eyes.

The fact that he is not eating or drinking as well does sound like something is wrong, it could be just old age or an infection or something else.
I would probably be taking him to the vet.

[user38725]

Thanks for the reply. His food hasn’t changed at all although I have been giving him some celery to compensate for him not drinking. His bedding (Fitch) is the same and he has never had any problem before. I’ll most likely take him to the vet on Monday if there is no improvement. The only other thing I can think of is that when he first had all these symptoms (like not drinking) I moved his water bottle and food bowl to the lower level and stopped using the top wooden level (it’s the barney hamster cage) so that it would be easier for him to get to. He knows how to use his water bottle and I even put a small stone underneath it and a tiny bit of peanut butter on the tip and but he still didn’t drink it. He also stopped drinking before I moved it so I don’t think they are related. I’ll see what the vet says though.

[Pebbles82]

Hi. So sorry to hear this. He is very old at 2 and the weather has been exceptionally warm. In this kind of weather hamsters can get overheated - I tend to rotate a mug or two that has been in the fridge as an additional cool hide in the cage- somewhere cool to sit. So keep a mug in the fridge. When cold put it on its side in the cage. Then put another mug in the fridge. Later you can swap the mugs round say early evening and before bedtime when he’s awake. Some people also put a bag of frozen peas on top of the cage as a cooler. Ceramic is also cooler generally.

Sticky eyes is very common with older Syrians so I wouldn’t worry too much about that. Yellow pops could be something like liver problems which is also an ageing issue. As they get to this age their organs gradually start to not work as well - liver, heart, kidneys etc. So he may be in his twilight time.

Will he take water from the bottle if you hold it in front of him? I wouldn’t put peanut butter on the end - or anything on the end - it could put him off drinking and it’s too sticky for their pouches. Also not all hamsters like peanut butter! I’d try holding the water bottle in front of him while he’s in his nest and see if he drinks any. If he refuses then he may have decided it his time and is preparing to go.

You could try putting a dish of water (eg a jar lid as a small dish - it’s shallow and not too large) in front of his house entrance- and also move his food bowl there. Put a piece of cucumber there too - it he smell may tempt him and it will help with fluids.

Personally I wouldn’t take him to the vet - unless you think he is in pain and suffering as it is just added stress at this time. But monitor him for a day or so and see if he drinks. If not it might be better to just leave him comfortable and let nature take its course.

However they can sometimes take a long time at this stage and then it’s a case of how long to leave them and when to take them to the vets to be helped on their way. If he doesn’t drink or eat for a few days and is still here then he probably is suffering. But it’s a call that can be difficult and you will know I think.

He may be drinking at night though- when you don’t see. And just staying in his house due to the heat.

So leave his water bottle at the lower level - something cooling in the cage - he may come out and sit in it or not but it will help cool things - and the dish of water and his food next to his house entrance. As well as his regular food and a bit of cucumber, put some soft food out as well. They often struggle to eat hard mix when older - arthritic jaw or tooth problems - but still put it out. Baby food is good (4 months age without onion or spices). Also a bit of porridge or scrambled egg on a teaspoon. He may eat it off the teaspoon if you hold it in front of him. Or I just leave the teaspoon outside the house entrance. Difficult fitting all these items outside the house entrance so just to one side maybe or just in front so he can still get out.

If he refuses food and water then it may be his time so be prepared for that. But it may just be the heat. They can get very lethargic in the heat.

[user38725]

Ok thanks. I’ll take your advice and see what happens - the weather has been pretty hot. As sad as it is your probably right about it being his time. I’ll just stay hopeful and see what happens in the next few days. Thanks again.

[user38725]

UPDATE: I’ve left a mug that’s been left in the fridge and his food bowl with carrot and some shallow water in it outside his hut. I’ve moved everything he needs (like his sand bath) close to his hut and his food as well as some small pieces of bread (I’ll put scrambled eggs there tomorrow morning) on some wood outside his hut. His eyes were shut again so I, again, used some warm water on a paper towel to remove any “crust”. I don’t mind doing that every night so long as he is able to see during the night when he is out (I’ve noticed he’s really unsteady on his feet whenever his eyes are closed). I’ll continue to give him everything he needs to make everything easy and peaceful for him.
I’ve been using this website since before I got my hamster and everyone has always been really helpful. Because of this site I managed to not get a cage that would have been too small for him and found Fitch bedding which was much better than his old wooden bedding, along with helping with a bunch of health problems, so thank you. I probably won’t get another hamster anytime soon(as great as they are), and I probably won’t use this site again so I just wanted to say

[Pebbles82]

Do let us know how he goes xxx. Our first Syrian was in a bad way for a long time and just kept hanging on. In the end we made the decision to help him on his way to prevent further suffering. But you will know if it comes to that. I hope he stays comfortable and if it is his time, that it is gentle and peaceful.

[user38725]

Update: As he is able to pee in his sand bath, get water and food, and make his way back, I’ve stopped trying to clean his eye (they close again every night) as it would just cause him extra stress and he seems quite reluctant to come out of his hut. He doesn’t appear to be in much pain, he’s just a bit slow and sleeps a lot - nice and peaceful for him

[Pebbles82]

That’s good to hear. Just keep an eye on him. They are stoic little things and keep going with routine until the end almost.