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Old 06-22-2021, 01:50 AM   #1
hamsterwhisperer1996
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Join Date: Jul 2020
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Default Making life easier for Sylvie in her old age?

Wasn't 100% sure where to post this but healthcare seemed like the best fit. The photo which shows the issue I'm describing are attached to my post.

We took Sylvie (2 year old Syrian) to the vet last week due to a distinctive head tilt. We've been medicating her for an ear infection, but we highly suspect it's something more severe - obviously we intend to keep medicating her until the course of meds is over just to be safe.

For now, her quality of life is good - she still loves exploring, running on her wheel and scoffing treats, but her mobility has been affected quite dramatically. Her depth perception is way off and she tumbles/trips easily.

We've already made some amendments to her enclosure to make life easier for her in her twilight 'years', but the issue is thus: her multi-chamber hide sits on top of her bedding, which then slopes down to her wheel/sand bath. She's tumbled down this slope a couple of times, and even though her bedding is soft we still don't want her to be distressed by her falling all the time/not be able to right herself again.

We can't build up the bedding to even out the slope, because her enclosure isn't very tall and the wheel wouldn't fit, but we don't want to take bedding out from under her hide either as then she won't be able to burrow. Has anyone got any advice? Sorry for the long and complicated post and thanks in advance.
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File Type: jpg 20210621_22215621.jpg (549.1 KB, 17 views)
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Old 06-22-2021, 03:37 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Making life easier for Sylvie in her old age?

I'd create a level, narrow path leading from the back wall along the front of the house and down the front glass side by fencing the burrowing wheel/sandbath area off with wide bendy bridges on their side. Would need to be the ones without the gaps not the wooden sticks type.

I can post a photo of the ones i mean.
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Old 06-22-2021, 06:57 AM   #3
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Making life easier for Sylvie in her old age?

I have a rat that got an ear infection a few months ago. I acted quick and had him on steroids and antibiotics, but as is often the case, he has been left with a tilt. I added more shelves in my cage for him and now he bombs around!

As hamsters get older, they do often need cages adapted anyway. Havign a more open space can be easier to get around, especially with a tilt. As Ria suggested, perhaps an extra wide platform around the house so she has a more firm underfoot rather than bedding around her hide
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Old 06-22-2021, 11:24 AM   #4
hamsterwhisperer1996
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Default Re: Making life easier for Sylvie in her old age?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
I'd create a level, narrow path leading from the back wall along the front of the house and down the front glass side by fencing the burrowing wheel/sandbath area off with wide bendy bridges on their side. Would need to be the ones without the gaps not the wooden sticks type.

I can post a photo of the ones i mean.
Thank you - this is really helpful! A photo would be super useful if you wouldn't mind.
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Old 06-22-2021, 01:53 PM   #5
Ria P
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Default Re: Making life easier for Sylvie in her old age?

Quote:
Originally Posted by hamsterwhisperer1996 View Post
Thank you - this is really helpful! A photo would be super useful if you wouldn't mind.
Those and they come in different sizes. I bought them in The Range shop. Here is how i used them in a foster cage to fence off the burrowing area.
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File Type: jpg 20210508_185033-1.jpg (3.32 MB, 6 views)
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