Pippins thread

[Rads]

Originally Posted by Hamsterita

How old is miss pip?

Hamsterita,
Miss Pip is approx. 18 months old, so for a Hamster she is starting to get on abit....
So I want to keep her as healthy as possible and am looking to change her diet accordingly.

[Rads]

I have weighed Pip again exactly a week since her last weigh in.
16/6/17 weight 205g
23/06/17 weight 198g
She has plenty of food, various treats ie pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds etc, her food is high quality.
She has gone off most of her normal fresh foods including cheese, though she still does love clover from the garden.
She is not the most active either, though uses her skywalk for her food stash, uses the ramps etc.
Generally her condition looks good, her colouration is getting a little pale, and on her health she seems generally ok.
Time to consider her diet so if anyone has tips for an aging hamster..
I think I will give her cage a full inspection too

[AprilPearl]

Oh Rads I hope Pip is ok. I don't want to worry you, but at this point I really would take her to the vet - a small animal expert if you can. Sustained weight loss can be a sign of something really bad, and she has now lost 12% of her weight. I may be being neurotic, but that's only because I had a guinea pig who lost weight from week to week and I waited too long before taking him to the vet. He had cancer and there was nothing they could do - I always wonder if they might have been able to save him if I had gone sooner. Sorry if it sounds as though I'm telling you what to do or trying to scare you. I'm not! I just really love Pip and wanted to give my two cents worth. Give her a cuddle from me x

[cypher]

18 months isn't that old really, an age at which some may begin to slow down a little but I wouldn't expect her to be losing weight like that due to age just yet.
May seem like an obvious question but have you checked her teeth Rads?
If they continuously lose weight that's a good place to start.
Tempting though it is try not to give to much protein, as they get older they need less & too much puts a strain on the kidneys.
Maybe keep trying her with different healthy fresh foods & see if you can find anything she really likes now.
As her general condition is still good it doesn't sound as though she's lacking anything in her diet or needs any extras for condition.

ETA I forgot to ask if she has porridge? Just oats & water, you can add a tiny bit of milk but not much, it is generally good for helping keep weight up & most enjoy it.

[Coco61]

Rads, some good advice already given. Are you aware of Pip using her teeth on her food or treats? Does she still open a monkey nut for example. At her age, my vet discovered Mocho has a slightly splayed lower tooth. A common problem as they age. However, so far so good as he still chews on his hanging treats. An over grown tooth is a problem only the vet can solve. I was also told not to give extra protein to an older ham. So I cut out the cheese and chicken even though it was occasional. There is a Rodipet hamster mix for older Syrians. I bought a box and mixed it with Harry Hamster until it ran out. Lasted ages. Finally I agree with cypher that a little porridge oats with water is usually a favourite. I put half a teaspoon of oats with water into the microwave for 20secs and let it cool. I also mix dark brown linseeds (from supermarket) into his mix to help with his coat. Mocho is well over 2 so I do all I can to help him along.

[Rads]

Hi AP,Cypher Coco Thanks for the advice,
Did some housekeeping on Pip's cage, changed her sand in the sand bath etc, picked up some millet sprays for her and a bag of fresh Harry Hamster food .
I tried checking her teeth but Pip was having none of that from what I can see they seem fine, really need her to yawn to get a good look.
She still knaws through a monke,y nut shell in about 30 seconds, chews at her hanging treat bars, I can hear her chewing things in her cave-nest and she is still chewing the edges of her wheel.
She had a nibble of the millet sprays and literally tore a pecan nut from my fingers and scooted off with that this evening.
I have found that she likes pear now, well at least it gets her approval..
So if she has dropped any more weight by next her next weigh in then it will be a trip to the vets for a check over.
P.S.
Rustle a bag of treats or anything with a rustley packet and she is out of her nest like a shot and straight over to the side of her cage where I used to keep her treats.

Here are a couple of shots of Pip from last night with a new lens to my extensive kit, 85mm F1.8 USM...





Finally, a short Video of Pip with some Millet today....

https://youtu.be/wAhRwYutpWU

[dreamtree1234]

I'm just catching up on Pip's amazing and humorous thread. She is such a funny and absolutely stunning hammy with an expression that melts my heart. I totally love all of the gorgeous pics, hilarious videos, and entertaining antics and narrative from lovely Pip. You both always know how to put a smile on my face and make me die laughing at all of the silliness. You truly have a magnificent bond with your beloved Pip, and the two of you are so sweet together.

I do hope that your shoulder is improving daily and you will be back to yourself 100% very soon. I am happy to hear that Pip has been a tremendous helper to aid you in your complete and speedy recovery.

I am terribly sorry to hear that Pip has been losing weight lately and not always up to her normal funny and adventurous antics as usual. Hopefully, everything is alright and it is just the heat and the typical progression of a more mature hammy. She always seems to be a hammy baby at heart, so maybe this is just a phase that she is going through. I truly hope so and will most definitely be keeping you, your family, and lovely Pip in my thoughts. I pray that she gains more weight and all is wonderful again in Pipland. I truly love her, and she has totally stolen my heart.

I love her latest pictures, too. I especially adore her 1st one in that photo shoot. Her eyes are so expressive and inquisitive. She truly looks lovely as always.

I hope that you all have a lovely weekend. Please give Pip a cuddles from me and a furry "high four" from Eros.

[cypher]

Her teeth are obviously fine & she certainly seems to be enjoying her food, lovely to see her with the millet there, bit of a mystery really but I hope it's nothing to worry about & the weight loss stops soon.
Looking really beautiful in those photos.

[AprilPearl]

Pip is still looking as pretty as ever and in very good condition too. Sounds as though she is still behaving like a healthy ham, which is a good sign. I think you are doing the right thing by monitoring the situation.

[Rads]

This evening Pip was up at a reasonable time destroyed some pieces of chips, also demolished a half dozen peas, some sweetcorn, green bean and carrots and a piece of pear earlier in the day.
She seemed much like her old self very lively etc, so not waiting I weighed her and happy days she is now 203g so that is up 5g since Friday.
I am wondering if,
A, she didn't like the heat at all and that got to her or,
B, she was a bit under the weather/ill with something..
The funniest part of tonight was I had popped her onto the sofa for a run about, Mrs R was also on the sofa, after about 5 mins Pip went over to Mrs R siniffed her foot a couple of times and promptly bit her big toe, well I thought it was a little nibble, Mrs R thought otherwise...!
Mrs R wasn't impressed when I chuckled, and Pip gave her a look...!