Meet Bubbagump an unexpected addition!

[Catja]

Fingers crossed it is a problem that won't get worse , an adorable baby and who could have said no

[ami_j]

i rescued a pair of dwarf hammys on wednesday and i asked if they were campbells or WW or a bit of both and lad replied bit of both...they know they are doing it and they dont care

[Spuds Mum]

Its cruelty in my eyes if it leads to such problems ami.

[ami_j]

they are totally ignorant. its disgusting they should know
need pure lines

[Spuds Mum]

I hope yours do well ami.

Just an update on Bubbagump. I dont think this will be a hamster that we will ever get really tame, as whenever we come near it either screams and its shaking just gets frightening, or it falls over onto its back teeth bared (not just the normal defense pose, as soon as it looks up at anyone, it seems to fall bless it.

Having seen the mouth wide open squealing, there is something really wrong I think, its very lopsided and got strange sort of lumps around the corner of the mouth, near the cheek pouches. its teeth are fine though, and it is eating very well. Bubbagump will come to the side of the tank if he is out when we talk though, but does spend a lot of time asleep for a dwarf!

He likes his wodent wheel, but as he moves to the left continually he does keep falling out of it (even with its closed in sides!)

I think he will be fine though and I'm sure will be looking forward to his satellite dish wheel, when he gets it as a present from Basia (thanks Gill)

[Mollz]

You did such a good job rescuing Teresa, and even if he doesn't become tame he at least has a good life with you and will get the care that he needs.
Let's hope his present from Gill is a success.

[Basia]

I hope he likes his satellite dish and is able to use it. I have just put it in the bag to take tomorrow.

[Holly]

Oh bless him, little sweetheart - and bless you Teresa for giving him such a chance of a decent life.

[littlemissdwarfhamster]

Bless Bubbagump, he is adorable. They are such good photos, very impressed with the camera-work

From his colouring and behaviour I would say that he was a hybrid. Hybrids can have problems with head tilts and other neurological disorders. I was lucky enough not to have these problems with the hybrids I had but have had them with robos, a syrian, a campbell and a guinea pig. Yes I am a sucker for a pet with a problem.

The syrian was April, she was dropped on her head from quite a height. When I got her she was at deaths door. But with a course of drugs from the vet and round the clock nursing from me, I ended up with a wonderful pet. She always had a head tilt though.

The robos I think were just inbred. One I had to have euthanased as he was so obsessed with running in small circles he did nothing else, it was heart breaking to watch. The other robos I found could be distracted from their behaviour problems. Lots of toys in the cage really helped as their problems seemed to be worse in large open spaces. I also re-arranged the cage often to keep them interested. These passed away with old age.

The Campbell was a back-flipper. Bought from a pet-shop that I wouldnt normally even go into, but she was a stunning jet black mottled and I couldnt resist. I was gutted when I realised she flipped. Again the use of toys helped with her problem. She died suddenly for no apparent reason after about 4 months of having her.

The guinea pig is called Tuppence and she is still with us She had an ear infection which had gone untreated, sadly by the time I got her it had started to affect her brain. I got her treated immediately and the infection cleared up quickly but its had a lasting effect. She has a head tilt and her hearing isnt very good at all. When she is asleep you can make a complete racket and she doesnt wake-up, theres been a few times where I have had to poke her to make sure she is alive :-/ She has stayed quite small for a guinea pig but is happy and healthy. She gets quite nervous about new situations - she was terrified the first time she saw the grass! But we just do everything slowly with her.

The main thing is to have a bit of patience. Just go at Bubbagumps pace, if he isnt happy being handled then dont do it. As long as he seems to be having a happy life theres no need for cuddles if they are just going to stress him.

Sorry for the long post but I thought I'd share the problems I have had so you know that problems can be lived with.

How is Bubbagump doing now?

[Spuds Mum]

Oh thanks for the advice Sarah, it is much appreciated, as I know you have so much experience with hams (but obviously with other animals too).

Bubbagump has put on some weight and is a lovely rounded hamster now, so his mouth problems dont seem to be causing him any problems. He still seems quite shaky, but is now quite handleable, which we doubted at first. He actually seems to like cuddles though, and will eat and wash whilst on our hands.

He shows an interest in us when we look in his cage and call him. The problem is as he looks up, he often just falls on his back and struggles to right himself.

He is doing quite well, and we are pleased that P@H asked us to take him. We tried him with one of those 'satellite dish' wheels, but he just couldnt get the hang of it, so he now has a wodent wheel and though he sometimes falls out of it, he loves it (in fact he is in there now). We will make sure he has plenty of safe toys to keep him occupied thanks