Henry and Gordon - Page 24

cypher · 10-11-2020, 10:10 AM

It can be a very difficult time when things like this happen & it is hard to know what to do when sometimes but somehow I think they always let you know, it sounds as though Henry is doing really well in himself, it’s possible the vet may be able to help if there is an issue that may be causing urine retention so don’t give up hope on that one.
I’m sure you’ll know if it does come to his time to go, I hope he can still manage comfortably & happily for some time yet though.

LunaTheHamster1 · 10-11-2020, 10:39 AM

Ria, my first thought is he may just be drinking less and peeing smaller amounts.

Could it just be old age and incontinence/tiredness why he was peeing on himself. I never thought of it being anything else with Star.

I know my vet would tell me it comes down to quality of life. If he is still eating, drinking, wandering around etc and he's on pain killer isn't he? If he's not hunched up, eyes bright, ears up then I would see how it goes, if you are still worried then maybe call your vets for their advice. I think when it is like this it is just about making them comfortable as possible.

Everything you describe sounds exactly like what I went through with Star, so I do sympathise with everything you are feeling and going through.

Ria P · 10-12-2020, 07:30 AM

Thank you cypher and Luna.

I'm glad to report that i saw Henry peeing in the other corner of his cage.
I think he got fed up with me neurotically checking his corner toilet!

Luna, Henry has never drunk a lot and i rarely saw him drink. He has in fact ben drinking a little more since he's taken ill and yes he is on daily Metacam which seems to help.

The poor little man is a sorry sight but still tries to do his usual stuff. He loves heights and climbs on his shelves but he fell off the ladder night before last so i'm again contemplating to move everything to ground level which would probably upset him. There's no real height involved and he didn't hurt himself but he's fragile.
He's no different from stubborn old humans i know who hate changes and refuse to live in a more suitable and age appropriate home.

LunaTheHamster1 · 10-12-2020, 08:03 AM

Ria, I know it can be hard to watch our little ones like this.

I'm glad you have seen him have a pee

Yes, I think it would be a good idea to put everything on one level, it's what I did with Star as she fell over a lot and I would have hated for her to hurt herself. I had to work quite hard at getting the set up right, so it was flat but still had enough to keep her entertained. Serendipity helped me out a lot.

I never got round to editing a video of the cage setup for YouTube but did put a little one up on Instagram if you are interested/it helps

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_IeSZjA9G0/

Ria P · 10-12-2020, 11:53 AM

That's an interesting set up, thanks for sharing this video.

I've just amended Henry's set up and removed all fall risks but i'm not happy with it. It looks too bare and boring. He still has the wicker tunnel but on the floor now leading to a low corner shelf with the ladder leading up without height so he can still "climb". I need to make/get some stuff. I'm trying to think of a loo roll strips dispenser to hang up.

LunaTheHamster1 · 10-12-2020, 12:20 PM

'i don't know if 'interesting' is good or bad

I basically just made sure she could walk up to or through everything, e.g. the top of her house was level with the substrate as was the opening to her coconut hide. I also covered the roof with mats to she didn't feel like it was all out in the open with the shelves gone. I also tried to make sure she had lots of boredom breakers

I'm intrigued about the loo roll strips dispenser - please show a pic

Ria P · 10-12-2020, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

'i don't know if 'interesting' is good or bad

I'm intrigued about the loo roll strips dispenser - please show a pic

Interesting is definitely good because you made Star's home so cozy and interesting but safe at the same time.
I wished i could do that.
I don't like Henry's set up now and neither does he. He got himself into a right strop over it.

The loo roll strips dispenser is a thought at the moment and i was secretly hoping that you would say " oh, i've made one from a toilet roll tube" and show me a picture.

I've just made Henry a "palm tree" to go with his coconut from a kitchen roll tube and millet sprays.

LunaTheHamster1 · 10-13-2020, 04:08 AM

Ria, your cages are awesome, give yourself a bit more credit. I always look at your cage setups and wonder how you do it, they look so different to mine, but I can;t put my finger on it what is different, I just know i can't seem to copy what you do.

Why don;t you post a pic of his current set up and we might be able to help.

I love the sound of the palm tree.

Nope, no loo roll strips dispenser ideas from me, so far!!! Do you mean you would just have a toilet roll with some paper on it still so Henry can pull bits off?

Petite · 10-14-2020, 02:20 AM

How about suspending twists of the cardboard roll from the roof with hamster-safe string? Henry might enjoy chewing at those, and you could make them different lengths so he can still reach them on the less-good days.

Ria P · 10-14-2020, 05:01 AM

The cage looks bare to me.
I'm just back from a 24hr shift and have given him his Metacam but can't help thinking that he hasn't got long. I'll observe him tonight and will get a better picture of how he is and what he actually uses in his cage.
His ears have been permanently down for the last couple of days which is a bad sign but he asked to come out and came onto my lap before i went to work yesterday.
This is just all so sad and i wished that hamsters would live longer...but don't we all.