Charlie's thread - Page 182

Pebbles82 · 01-16-2017, 07:05 AM

Thank you BorisPasha. He is taking some of it again now but not clearing the jar lid of it like he was before - maybe this bag isn't as good as the last one! I think he is hoarding it because his fur smells very Science Selectivy!

Pebbles82 · 01-16-2017, 04:56 PM

I feel a bit sad seeing Charlie so clearly ageing and doddery now. He staggers about when he walks and can't scratch his ear without falling over, poor boy. I tried to scratch it for him but he shrugged me off

When he runs he can get about better, but walking is difficult. He is losing a lot of hair as well and has a few bald patches now. All seems to have come on in a few weeks really. I think he still has the urge and interest to do hamstery things, but gets out of puff quickly and sits and pants, or just gets too tired and stops and rests.

I put up the castle playpen for him tonight and he had a little explore in there and tried to climb into his upturned green plastic pod house but couldn't quite manage it so I lifted him in there.

cypher · 01-16-2017, 11:30 PM

Charlie's such a determined little man, he may not have the stamina he used to have but he does seem to enjoy life in his own way but I know how sad it is to see them age.

EnerHam · 01-17-2017, 01:57 AM

It's always sad when age takes a toll on them, poor Charlie. It's good he's still trying, he must have a real fighting spirit! I'm sure having such an attentive owner helps.

Hamsterita · 01-17-2017, 04:33 AM

You're very brave, I don't know If I could manage to see Blacky like that, but charlie looks like he's still enjoying his life, so you're doing what's best for him putting your feelings aside. I admire you!!

Pebbles82 · 01-17-2017, 05:00 AM

Thank you all. I think it's hard accepting you are powerless to some degree, but also worrying about doing the right things for them. He always seemed to understand what I say when I talk to him, but now I think he is really quite deaf so can't even hear what I'm saying! I think he does have a fighting spirit - he really wants to do things and can't quite manage it. Maybe I'm worrying too much that it must be upsetting for him or frustrating for him, and he may be is just not thinking like that and accepting it. Attention when he's out is definitely necessary because sometimes he needs a bit of a helping hand to get into something. He's a bit more cautious about things that might tip over on him (like the pod house) which is good but seems to have no caution whatsoever about trying to jump off something! So lots of cushions around when he's out!

He is eating and I was up late last night and heard this loud cracking sound for a few minutes - had a peek and he was demolishing his little wafer cup - managed to get a hole in it anyway. His teeth are a bit long. It's a case of ups and downs at the moment I think.

cypher · 01-17-2017, 05:38 AM

Maybe we do worry too much but it's hard not to at the best of times & even more so as they age, I was the same with mine, always wondering if I was doing the right thing or trying to guess if they needed something different but I think you're doing everything you can for him & I'm sure he appreciates you talking to him still, even if he is a little deaf I have no doubt he still knows somehow.

Pebbles82 · 01-17-2017, 10:14 AM

I've been trying to decide a few things that last few days, and observing Charlie when he's out. I didn't want to cause him a lot of stress by taking him to the vets if he is really fading and thought a local vet may be happy to give me metacam without seeing him as they'd seen him before. I think he maybe does have some pain - from his face and the fact his ears are down a lot. But he is also quite motivated to explore and to try and eat things. So rather than wait another 2 or 3 weeks and find he is even more frail and then can't eat at all because of his teeth, I'm taking him on Friday to have his teeth shortened and get some metacam prescribed.

I had a long chat with someone at the vets and talked it through and she thinks he needs to come in for his teeth to be shortened. She says they will give him a whiff of gas and use a burr rather than clipping them. She said the vet I saw the previous time was a locum and they wouldn't normally clip teeth or do it without a whiff of gas like he had last time (I did say it was quite stressful for him last time and I'm not sure he could go through that again). She also said some new direction from the veterinary council was that they should use a burr rather than clip to avoid the teeth splitting at gum level.

So I am going to take him on Friday - he'll be happy enough in his pet carrier on a short trip and a whiff of gas should mean it's not stressful for him.

EnerHam · 01-17-2017, 10:31 AM

Sounds like that'll make Charlie a lot more comfortable. Do you have any plans for getting him to take the Metacam this time around?

Pebbles82 · 01-17-2017, 10:49 AM

Nope! He refused any food that had it in. I think if he needs it he might take it somehow. But I'll ask the vet.