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Old 02-11-2021, 09:31 AM   #1
megelizah
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Unhappy Old Hamster Help

Hi all,

My 2.5 year old Syrian hamster Stuart has started to eat less in the last few months and lose a bit of weight. Yesterday I went to check on him and he was walking unbalanced and almost like he was drunk if that makes sense!? He’s drinking quite a lot but still not eating much and his fur looks disheveled and ears aren’t pinned up.

Is there anything I can do for him? I’ve tried to make him as comfortable as possible and am regularly changing his bedding. Could this be diabetes?
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Old 02-11-2021, 09:37 AM   #2
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Old Hamster Help

Hello

I'm sorry to hear Stuart seems to be in his twilight years, it is a great age to have got to!

We have been discussing similar recently you may wish to browse

When is the End? The Hardest Decision


Diabetes isn't that common in syrians compared to dwarf species. It sounds like he is preparing for the bridge. I wouldn't clean him out too much, let him have his familar smells around him
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Old 02-11-2021, 10:00 AM   #3
megelizah
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Default Re: Old Hamster Help

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice View Post
Hello

I'm sorry to hear Stuart seems to be in his twilight years, it is a great age to have got to!

We have been discussing similar recently you may wish to browse

Diabetes isn't that common in syrians compared to dwarf species. It sounds like he is preparing for the bridge. I wouldn't clean him out too much, let him have his familar smells around him
Thank you for the reply!

I’ll make sure to not clean his bedding too much. What are the signs I should be looking for that it’s time to take him to a vet/ be euthanised, as I don’t want him to be suffering without me knowing At the moment he just seems sleepy and doing his own thing! Don’t want to take him to a vet and go through that trauma if I don’t need to.
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Old 02-11-2021, 11:15 AM   #4
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Old Hamster Help

It's hard to explain and in my opinion, the feeling only comes with experience. You just "know" but sometimes they hold on too long and you can tell they are suffering.

Usual signs are very dirty fur, not toileting well or eating or drinking much.

Old age isn't an illness so if he seems fine, just a doddery old man perhaps just offer him some wet and soft foods alongside his dry mix, make the cage easy to get around and a few water sources and enjoy your time together
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