Need Help For Senior Hammy

Tubbytiger · 10-03-2020, 08:45 AM

Hello,

I have a female Syrian hamster named Willow who is 2 years old now. Recently she has started to sleep more, but she is not sleeping in her nest anymore. She is still eating and drinking but very fragile, slow, and wobbly when she walks (all signs of aging). I am concerned though because her breathing does seem a little laboured and her pee has a very foul smell, not like it used to at all. I don't know if I should take her to the vet because is she just passing? Or should I get her looked at incase of something else?

LunaTheHamster1 · 10-03-2020, 08:50 AM

If it has been going on for a while or a few days you may want to get her checked out. It could be just her end is near or she could have something medically wrong with her that could be helped with antibiotics.
Strong smelling pee can be a sign of infection for example.
Again, if she is having difficulty breathing it could be her end is near or something else, either way she may need medical attention so she isn't suffering.
If she was my hamster I would be taking her to the vets.

Pebbles82 · 10-03-2020, 10:07 AM

It's very difficult. If she didn't have the foul smelling pee then yes you would normally just keep her comfortable. But even at two they can come round if treated for an infection and it does sound like she needs antibiotics. It could be the infection that is making her wobbly. So yes she does need a vet visit, even though it is such an upheaval for them when they're old. But it may help her. And she may have another few months to a year of hamstering after it's treated.

They usually prescribe Baytril as an antibiotic which tastes absolutely foul and syringe feeding can be stressful so it could help to be prepared. Some people use runny honey to suck up into the syringe with the baytril and the hamster then is happy to lick the syringe. When I had to give it the hamster just hated the syringe full stop, but it's not a taste that can be disguised in food. Possible in a bit of runny honey on a small dish (I used a baby food lid as a dish). What I used was a tip from here which was country hunter beef dog food. It disguised the taste and was very popular! All got eaten up. Because it's important they have the full dose each time. It was just a pee sized amount with the medicine dropped on top and mixed in a bit.

Ria P · 10-03-2020, 12:52 PM

Yes, i would also advise you to take her to a vet in case she has an infection which could be treatable. She could also be in pain or discomfort and medication would help with that.

I've recently taken my older hamster to the vet and he wasn't stressed by it. The outcome was that the vet was able to help him.

I put him in a large transport box with his spare house, plenty of substrate and some food scuttered about to give him something to do.

I took a small blanket as well and was glad i did because we had to wait outside the vets so i was able to cover his transport box with the blanket to keep him warm.

As for the antibiotic. I drew the Baytril up first followed by a tiny amount of Ribena. Same effect as honey and it worked.

Tubbytiger · 10-03-2020, 02:30 PM

Thank you all so much! I did take her to the vet and they are going to treat for a UTI and are going to treat with antibiotics and pain killers. If after a couple days, I am to bring her back for further investigation. They are also giving her some fluids to boost her immune system.

I honestly really appreciate the quick responses back because I was very VERY worried for my lil hammy. Thankfully this is treatable and thank you so so much everyone.

Tubbytiger · 10-03-2020, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It's very difficult. If she didn't have the foul smelling pee then yes you would normally just keep her comfortable. But even at two they can come round if treated for an infection and it does sound like she needs antibiotics. It could be the infection that is making her wobbly. So yes she does need a vet visit, even though it is such an upheaval for them when they're old. But it may help her. And she may have another few months to a year of hamstering after it's treated.

They usually prescribe Baytril as an antibiotic which tastes absolutely foul and syringe feeding can be stressful so it could help to be prepared. Some people use runny honey to suck up into the syringe with the baytril and the hamster then is happy to lick the syringe. When I had to give it the hamster just hated the syringe full stop, but it's not a taste that can be disguised in food. Possible in a bit of runny honey on a small dish (I used a baby food lid as a dish). What I used was a tip from here which was country hunter beef dog food. It disguised the taste and was very popular! All got eaten up. Because it's important they have the full dose each time. It was just a pee sized amount with the medicine dropped on top and mixed in a bit.

Hey, I do have a follow up question. The vet did prescribe Baytril as an antibiotic, does she need a probiotic? What is a probiotic for hamsters or where can you get some?

cypher · 10-04-2020, 01:53 AM

It would be a good idea to give a probiotic, in Canada you can get bene bac powder so try that, do make sure to give it at least a few hours apart from the antibiotic & you can continue it for a while after the meds have finished for the most benefit.

Tubbytiger · 10-05-2020, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

It would be a good idea to give a probiotic, in Canada you can get bene bac powder so try that, do make sure to give it at least a few hours apart from the antibiotic & you can continue it for a while after the meds have finished for the most benefit.

That is great! I picked up so bene bac powder today so I will give that to her as well. Thank you so so much. I really appreciate it and the incredible knowledge and helpfulness in this hamster community. It has been a blessing.

Tubbytiger · 10-07-2020, 01:00 PM

When I was giving Willow her antibiotics this morning, I found dark blood around her genitals and near her tail. I've immediately taken her back to the vet and we are waiting for results currently. Is it possible this could still be some type of infection or has it now developed into something worse?

Ria P · 10-07-2020, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tubbytiger

When I was giving Willow her antibiotics this morning, I found dark blood around her genitals and near her tail. I've immediately taken her back to the vet and we are waiting for results currently. Is it possible this could still be some type of infection or has it now developed into something worse?

I don't think its possible to speculate on the cause of the blood. Only the vet will be able to tell. What kind of test did he do?