Charlie's thread

[Pebbles82]

And thank you Coco also - the information on others experiences of procedures really helps! I was a bit apprehensive.

[Pebbles82]

After the teeth check Charlie had a little rest in his snooze cube and a piece of chicken, then went in the hay house for a bit. He then looked worn out and snoozed for a bit. I was a bit worried about him. I think he was a bit fed up that he can't scratch and chew the hay house well at the moment - he doesn't seem to have any nails any more and his teeth need sorting.

But then he woke up, perked up a bit, and had quite a good explore and rummage around the room (managing to find a messy bit of the room behind the sofa!) So although he seems wobbly and tired sometimes he seems to enjoy being active still as well.

First short video is the chicken and hay house

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upnWQNGXsQw

Second short video is him exploring and going where I don't want him to go!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVxgDvXMsyc

And Charlie says he doesn't mind me having posted the photo of his gnashers as it's in the interest of science and his fellow hammies. And he's forgotten about it now anyway.

[cypher]

Aww bless him, it was lovely to see him enjoying his chicken in his snoozecube & having a little explore.
He does seem to have aged a lot more quite suddenly & it is sad to see that happening but he's still enjoying life in his own way.
I'm sure he'll feel better when his teeth have been done though & he's able to eat a little better.
I guess everything slows down a bit as they age so it's possible he could be constipated, as long as he's getting plenty of fluids which I'm sure he is with the soft food as well as his water a few extra flax seeds might help a bit.

[RubyDG]

Awww. Even old and a bit rickety Charlie's still a cutie pie. And very determined to have his little walk about!

[Hamsterita]

Thank you Serendipity.

I can understand why you don't like the photo, and why you didn't like the process to take it. So I'm very grateful that you decided to share it anyways. It's really hard to find information about this kind of things. At least good information. Because if you look on youtube you will find lots of vids about it, but more than a half of them are made by rednecks and assholes (excuse my language), so the reliability is at least doubtful. In a way now I'm more unconcerned about Blacky's teeth shape, because it's like Charlie's, but If you and souffle think that that is too long I have to be very careful because I think that Blacky's are even a little bit longer. I'll try to pay attention when he yawns. That's what I usually do to check his teeth, wait for him to yawn. But you shouldn't be upset because you had to scruff him, I know that he's old, and that they don't like that, but it's other of those things that we do because we need to and we do it for their own good.

Talking about more pleasant things, the videos that you shoot are lovely. He's an old ham but he's such an explorer, he doesn't have fear of the unknown.

I wish you the best tomorrow

[Pebbles82]

Thank you Hamsterita You're right - I also had difficulty finding photos online of teeth that gave enough information. And I know what you mean about the youtube videos! I think Blacky is still quite a young hamster isn't he? His teeth shouldn't get too long as long as he is eating chews and hard food - that's what helps keep them in trim. But sometimes if they ignore their chews, or aren't big chewers (like Charlie!) it's possible in a younger hamster too I guess. And it is very hard to tell when you look in their mouths, which is why I decided to do a photo and look at that.

I read on Hammy's world that a good test is if they can pick up a monkey nut in their teeth - if they can't then they're too long. Both times that has been the case with Charlie, so I guess it's a good test if you have any peanuts in their shells

I think with a younger hamster, rather than try and scruff him and look I would take him to the vet to have them checked if you think they are misaligned or something - so then they only have one stress instead of two. I wanted to be sure before I went to the vets this time, with him being old, in case the vet trip was an unnecessary stress for him. Plus I thought he was really going off a bit for a while but he does still seem to have some zest for life sometimes.

But you need to make sure it's a good vet who knows a bit about hamsters - some vets haven't a clue about hamsters or their teeth! Ringing them up first might give an indication (depending on what they say) or asking around for a recommendation. As long as Blacky is eating ok and seems well is the main thing

Thanks Ruby! Yes it's good to see him having a bit of an explore!

I agree Cypher I think he will be happier when he can eat properly again. I will give him some flax seeds too (I have been about once a week but maybe every other day now).

Hamsterita - there's also a sticky on here about giving your hamster a health check that has a photo of their teeth (just found it!) and how they should look.

How To Give Your Hamster A Health Check

As for health checks - I personally think general observation when they're having out of cage time, plus normal handling is better than a full weekly health check and waiting till they yawn to look at their teeth

[Hamsterita]

He's been 4 months with me now, and when I got him he was 3-4 months old, so he must be 7 or 8 months old, he's not old but I wouldn't say that he's young either, isn't he? In hamster life I think that he is just and adult, but I'm not sure. He's not a chewer really, I can see some nibble marks in his bendy bridge but nothing very noticeable and he doesn't care about his chews, however he eats fine and he loves biscrock biscuits. I have several peanuts in the shell, so I'll try that test. He just have to be able to hold it with his mouth to pass the test, Am I right?

EDIT: Thanks! And yes, I agree with you. It's better to see how they behave when they're roaming free

[Thin Lizzy]

I do love your boy Charlie, so determined to get about. Loved the vids serendipity. Thanks for the pic and tip with the monkey nut.

[Pebbles82]

Thanks Thin Lizzy I think the Monkey nut is a good guide Hamsterita - I believe 1 hamster year is about equivalent to 40 human years. So at the age of one they are middle-aged. At 7 or 8 months, Blacky is in his mid twenties He's quite young still. Their temperaments vary and Charlie was always a bit of a pipe and slippers old man even when he was younger lol.

Yes I would try him with the monkey nut - that's for teeth length - if his teeth are growing awkardly/angled, if you think then I'm not sure what to suggest - Souffle may help there! If he eats biscrocks that sounds good! Shows he can. I wouldn't worry too much. I didn't have any problems with overgrown teeth until Charlie got to aged two. (ie 80 human years )

I did used to worry he wasn't a chewer and it took a while to find chews he would actually chew. The ones they almost unanimously like are the Antos/Whimzee vegetable dog chews - mini toothbrushes and crocodiles. Charlie liked the toothbrushes best - plus you can stick sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds between the bristles and they have fun getting them out. I used to get this size in the pack of 4 - maybe they sell them locally to you as well.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Home-Kitc...words=Whimzees

[Coco61]

Awww Charlie, for his age he is quite remarkable. Loved watching him have a good explore around. Hope all goes well tomorrow at the vet's. I have Mocho's teeth checked by the vet as you know as part of his reviews. My vet has a model of a rodent skull and as it has a hinged jaw he is able to show me and demonstrate the relative length of top and bottom teeth. Very helpful to see that rather than just an explanation.
Charlie is a terrific grumpy old ham!