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Pebbles82 · 11-24-2018, 06:26 PM

Has he been diagnosed with arthritis? Walking with a hunch doesn't sound much like it to me - it tends to suggest they're in pain. They tend to develop it in back legs first. I would definitely see about getting him some metacam and if a vet hasn't diagnosed the arthritis then maybe get him a check over in case it's something else. Either way the metacam should help with pain relief.

I wouldn't remove the wheel but make sure it's safe for an older hamster. So for example I had my wheel so the entry was dead level with the substrate so no tripping on the edge when getting in and out of the wheel. If it's arthritis the exercise is good for them and they will do it if they want to. Charlie at 2 and a half years old with stiff back legs, used to love hopping in his, running for about 10 seconds and then hopping out again - rather than not doing it at all!

11-24-2018, 06:26 PM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Old hamsters, athritis, and wheels? Has he been diagnosed with arthritis? Walking with a hunch doesn't sound much like it to me - it tends to suggest they're in pain. They tend to develop it in back legs first. I would definitely see about getting him some metacam and if a vet hasn't diagnosed the arthritis then maybe get him a check over in case it's something else. Either way the metacam should help with pain relief. I wouldn't remove the wheel but make sure it's safe for an older hamster. So for example I had my wheel so the entry was dead level with the substrate so no tripping on the edge when getting in and out of the wheel. If it's arthritis the exercise is good for them and they will do it if they want to. Charlie at 2 and a half years old with stiff back legs, used to love hopping in his, running for about 10 seconds and then hopping out again - rather than not doing it at all!