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Old 02-27-2021, 03:06 AM   #1
Sal86
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Default Advice needed on elderly hamster body shape please

Hi everyone, I’d like some advice on my Syrian hamster (Cheddar) please. We inherited him from my niece after she lost interest and he came from Pets At Home in March or April 2019, so I imagine he’s around 2 years old now. We’ve had him since August 2019.

We’ve always had a little Hive camera next to his cage to see what he gets up to at night and over the last few weeks there’s been less & less recordings and he doesn’t seem to be going on his wheel anymore. As well as being less active he seemed to be struggling a bit getting up & down the tubes and platforms in his cage (the Savic Hamster Heaven) so we took all of those out and now he’s all on one level, which hopefully will be easier for him.

But the main thing I’d really like some opinions on is his body shape, as I’ve had hamsters in the past that have gotten a bit thin in their old age but it’s mostly around his neck that he looks quite thin and his sides still look quite round. His ears are usually folded flat all the time now as well and his eyes get stuck down sometimes but I’ve read that sometimes this happens if fluid from the eyes drips out and dries.

I can’t tell if his sides have always been like this and now I’m just noticing more because his neck is thinner or if there might be a problem I need to get checked out. I have no problem paying for vet fees but as he’s getting old and doesn’t like being handled I also don’t want to put him through the stress of travel and being pulled about if it’s not needed.

He seems to be eating & drinking fine, he often wakes up during the day for a little nibble on something from his hoard and of an evening I give him a small piece of broccoli or skinless grape, small pieces of nuts, a few sunflower seeds and a couple of other treats. He has the Pets At Home hamster mix and bunny Hamster Dream food.

I have included some photos which are stills from a video I took of him last night and would be so grateful for any advice you have. Thanks!
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Old 02-27-2021, 11:13 AM   #2
souffle
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Default Re: Advice needed on elderly hamster body shape please

Hi there - I'm afraid he doesn't look well at all as the ears back and eyes half shut and sticky are a sign however his abdomen is very swollen there. This could be a tumour or it could be from fluid gathered in the abdomen from another cause such as kidney or heart failure. At this stage there is unlikely to be anything a vet could do for him sadly. If you feel he is still able to do hamstery things then you can let him be but he needs very close monitoring as he may be in pain and may go downhill very suddenly. He is quite an elderly hamster and these things are more common in older hammies.
It's never easy but I always think it's better a day early than a day late when he may be in pain. I hope he gives you a little more time with him in comfort x
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Old 02-27-2021, 11:51 AM   #3
Ria P
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Default Re: Advice needed on elderly hamster body shape please

I would phone a vet and arrange to email these photos to them. A consultation can be done over the phone.

I think that your hamster could be in discomfort or pain. His neck looks thinner because his abdomen is enlarged.

My Syrian hamster was on a daily dose of Metacam during the last few weeks of his life to ease any discomfort he may have had. He died peacefully at home while i was seriously considering euthanasia.
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Old 02-27-2021, 02:59 PM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Advice needed on elderly hamster body shape please

Our previous Syrian was like this near the end and as Souffle says the swelling will be fluid whether it is heart, kidney disease, or a tumour. If his ears are flat all the time I think it sounds like he is in pain. Personally I would only take him to the vet to be put to sleep - if you feel it is the right time for that, rather than upheave him there for any other reason.

It is very very difficult when you think they are suffering and in pain but still eating and drinking. Our last syrian was still getting up for food and drink daily but it got to the point where I just knew he was suffering (he also had ears down all the time) and I was concerned he may burst and have an awful end. So I did take him to the vets to be pts at that point. The vet said it was the right decision as he was full of fluid and could have burst.

Only you know when it feels right and sometimes they give you a sign. A look maybe.
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Old 03-02-2021, 10:34 AM   #5
Sal86
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Default Re: Advice needed on elderly hamster body shape please

Thank you everyone for your responses.

I decided to take Cheddar to an exotics vet and was able to get an appointment for him earlier today.

The vet I saw said she could feel a mass and said an X-ray would determine what organs were affected (i.e. liver, spleen, kidneys, intestines), after which surgery may be an option. She said it was pushing on his diaphragm and would have been making it difficult for him to breathe . At first she said the prognosis was poor but then after they put him under anaesthetic for the X-ray she was able to have a better feel of him and concluded that the problem was cysts on his organs, which they were able to drain while he was under (apparently they removed about 35ml of fluid).

After that she said the prognosis was much better and it would just be a case of keeping a close eye on him, monitoring his quality of life and taking him back to have the cysts drained again when necessary, as she said they will fill up again. She said they don’t know what causes this in older hams but it sounds like it’s manageable.

So hopefully he will be much more comfortable now and we will still have some time left with him yet
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Old 03-02-2021, 11:23 AM   #6
souffle
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Default Re: Advice needed on elderly hamster body shape please

Good to hear he has had treatment and hopefully is more comfortable now. Lets hope his twilight times are long and he is able to act ore normally now.
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Old 03-02-2021, 04:10 PM   #7
Josie
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Default Re: Advice needed on elderly hamster body shape please

Good to hear that Cheddar is doing better and that he is more comfortable
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