Help. I don't know what is wrong with me girl.

[Gidgetgirl]

I need some helpful advice. I got my first hamster in September of 2016 at about 6 months old. Now It is March and she has started acting different. She is not active at night really anymore. And she has gained some weight over the past month. She just wants to sleep all the time. Fearing it may be hibernation do to this time of year I have a reptile heating pad under past of her cage. Eating normally, bathroom rabbits are mostly normal but is not using litter box and drinking is normal.

I just need to know if I am doing everything right???

[cypher]

Do be careful with the heat pad as it's easy to overheat them, it's always best to keep the room temperature up rather than using heating close to the cage if you can.
If she had been going into torpor then she should be back to normal as soon as she's warmed up again so I doubt it is that, they can be a bit less active over winter but do still normally come out at night if the room is warm enough
Have you had her out for a full health check?
It really is hard to tell what the problem may be, how long has she been like this?
They are very good at hiding signs of illness but if she's eating & drinking ok there may not be a problem, I would check her over just to be sure though.

[Drago]

I agree with cypher, hamsters actually do much better in cooler conditions than they do in warmer conditions as they overheat quite easily! Does she exhibit any other symptoms? Has this been a gradual change or a sudden one? Try to think of any routine or dietary changes you may have made. Hope all turns out alright with her

[Cinnamon Bear]

Is she aging? That would play a factor? how old is she?

[souffle]

CB it says in the first post she was 6 months in September therefore she is coming up to a year.
Any change in behavior can indicate illness and I think the best idea is a vet visit for a check up.
The weight gain could in fact be something going on inside her like a tumour or bloating due to fluid or pus in the abdomen. The most common cause in a female would be a womb infection (pyometra) This is quite serious and your vet should be able to check and see is this is a possibility.
Don't use a heat pad. It isn't that chilly and if she has always been fine at room temperatures then it isn't likely to be that. They can easily overheat with heat pads.
Older hamsters can get more settled and sleep more but at a year she isn't really that old to be honest.
I would definitely have her looked at by the vets. Let us know how she does.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Didn't read through the whole post, I'm hope you are able to find what's wrong soon.
If you could get her to a vet, that would be the best thing to do for your hammyxx

[Gidgetgirl]

Thanks for all the information.

Cypher, I have had her out for a full health check and have not noticed anything else. She has been like this for maybe 5 days.

Drago, she has not exhibited any other symptoms. This was kind of a sudden change over a 24 hour period. I am in the process of changing her food but I started with 6 pieces of the new food with her normal 1/3 of a cup. She is a larger syrian.

Cinnamon bear, I adopted her about 6 months ago and at the time I was told she was 6 months. So she is probably about a year old now. And she is a syrian.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Sometimes when you adopt hammys the last owner stretches the truth to make the situation look better.

If they has them for 6 mo, the original owner or last owner may not give accurate info, so because of this your hammy might be older than you think?

[Drago]

Sudden changes are often indicative of illness, keep a very close eye on her for the next 24 hours. If she doesn't improve or worsens, she should be taken to the vet to make sure all is well. If you're really worried, there's no harm in taking her today!

[cypher]

I would take her to the vet for a check if she doesn't improve really quickly, keep a close eye on her for any signs of discharge or swelling anywhere.