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Old 06-13-2019, 11:13 AM   #1
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Syrian getting old

Hi, My syrian Luna is around the 20 month mark and she has been slowing down the last few months or so. She is active above ground for about 1 hour in every 24 hours, this dropped to 15 mins during this last week and so I thought this was it, she's going to go soon. Then last night she was up 6 times, totalling around 69 mins (I have a night cam on her).

She' still eating and drinking but this last week she hasn't come out of the cage (her choice, and I don't have a problem with that).

I know she is an old lady now and I'm just making sure she is comfortable and disturbed as least as possible.

In anyone else's experience do you think she will go on like this for a while, I know every hamster is different, but should I be preparing myself for days/weeks/a month?

In the past one of my hamsters just died suddenly and the other was ill previous to dying, so dying from old age is new to me. I'm not too sure what to expect. I just don't want her to be in pain.

Grateful for any advice.

Thank you
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:29 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Syrian getting old

It is uncertain what to expect. Newt was not particularly active at 18 months old but is very active now! But only certain days. Around 20 months I adjusted his cage as noticed he couldn't climb very well without falling over (weakness maybe) so removed levels and made the floor level more interesting. He does actually still have one shelf but very low and with a long shallow ramp - part tunnel - no hanging things or things to climb into.

Sometimes the weather affects whether they come out of the cage more. Have to say since I've been letting Newt free roam in the living room he's been wanting to come out a lot more! That is also an indicator of how active and well they are if you see how they are when out and about in a hamsterproof room. She may get more interested and then you'll see if she is still quite active or whether she doesn't do much. With Newt it started off slowly just pottering around in a small area and cautious. Now he zooms all over the living room.

However if you feel she is failing and slowing down then that feeling may be right. And it's a case of gauging quality of life - if she enjoys her food even if slow and reclusive, and doesn't seem unhappy then she is just slowing down. If she seems hunched she may be in pain.

I would see what she is like out of the cage - on the sofa eg, for a stroke or a sit on your arm.

They can just go suddenly or gradually decline. Just keep an eye on her.
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Old 06-13-2019, 12:52 PM   #3
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Syrian getting old

Thanks for the reply.

If out her cage, Luna is active, but as soon as i put her back in her cage - even just after 5-10 mins she is worn out and goes back to bed. She's been like that for a while, she used to be out for 30 mins minimum before, but more like an hour. even in her cage when she is up above ground she seems her normal self, she's only doing it for 15 mins max though and then she doesn't come out for hours, the other night she didn't come out again at all.
She's not hunched and as far as i can tell not in pain, just very tired.
Luna is not one for sitting still She's very much a wriggle bottom and likes to burrow around, even if it's me she's trying to burrow through, nudging me with her little nose.
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Old 06-13-2019, 04:22 PM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Syrian getting old

It's just old age xxx Slowing down is ok if she likes to rest more. You will know if she's suffering.
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Old 06-14-2019, 10:21 AM   #5
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Syrian getting old

Thank you Serendipity7000 for your reply. She certainly seems her happy normal self when I see her, just tired. She may be more than 20 months, I adopted her, so I can only go by what the previous owner said at the time, but she was very wishy washy and vague with any information relating to Luna. I wish hamsters could live forever
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Old 06-14-2019, 05:39 PM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Syrian getting old

I know it's hard isn't it. Knowing they will leave us. But she is a good age - nearly two - or maybe two already. In her eighties really in human terms and in human terms that is when frailty sets in - and arthritis and things not working as they should. But I think there is a gentleness to the tiredness and ageing and slowing down as well - it is nature taking its course. She clearly is not ready to leave yet. I would just give her anything she enjoys, plenty of treats and extras, bits of human food Within reason of course. Lots of chats and cuddles.
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