Very old and poorly hamster - help.

[kiki & the bear]

Originally Posted by jent

Hey,
she's stillwith us this morning and actually looking quite lively compared to yesterday.Over night she has eaten her porridge and drank a lid of water which I put in (think she's struggling with water bottle). She has had some warm baked beans this morning (reccomended by the breeder of my other hammies)and porridge. She is also drinking. AmI being too optimistic in thinking she might be ok?!

Hi there, I'm sorry to hear about the poorly little old lady ham, but I'm glad to hear that she is still here and has improved slightly. You can be positive - always worth staying positive - about her condition and the way things may go, but it's best not to get your hopes up. I found this out last week when I thought my hamster was getting better - which he did - then unfortunately passed away quite suddenly. Hopefully this won't happen and she'll see the holidays out. My best wishes are with you and her. You sound like you're doing a fantastic job and if she does pass away she will be a very happy hamster with such a caring person by her side. Keep doing what you're doing.

Ki xx

[fluffymunchkins]

What a babe, she really is trying for you
Hamsters will leave when they are ready, last night must have not been her time.

Take every moment she has left as a blessing xx

[jent]

She now has had some baby food - just giving her whatever she wants to be honest. Her poo seems to be wetter than usual and under her bum does look a little bit wet. I don't know if this is wet tail? I've never experienced it or incontinence or someting else.What do you think? Now I'm panicking because she's been in the same room as my hammies - can they catch wet tail being next to her cage? Please let me asap am worried.

[fluffymunchkins]

Wet tail is contagious, i would move her away from the other hamsters to be safe.
But she is eating a lot of wet foods so thats probably why, is she eating dry food aswell?

[jent]

She doesn't seem to be able to eat her regular hamster food hence I'm trying whatever she will eat. Could it just be that? She has been moved away from the others now. They are all really healthy and not had wet tail before so I am hoping they will be ok. They were only next to each other for a few hours. They will all get cleaned out tomorrow anyway. Her bottom is wet but not pooey if that makes sense.

[fluffymunchkins]

yh, i think thats why.
Have you tried crushing the food into fine crumbs?

[souffle]

It won't be wet tail at this age. It is likely that it is just old age causing her organs to fail now. Feeding the wet food which is quite highly processed will also make her loose but as you say you need to feed what they will eat. Try soaking her hammy mix in hot water and cooling so it is mushy and easier to eat. Also oat porridge is quite good. She needs the fibre to produce hard poops.
If she seems to be failing badly and unable to clean herself or corntrol her bodily functions and unable to be just a hamster and do hamstery things then that is the time to know in your heart if the time has come to help her to the bridge. If this is the case for the little one I would take her to the vets with you tommorrow and see what they say. Thinking of you
xxx

[jent]

She has been eating porridge and I crushed up some of her food last night and I think she's eaten it. She seems to be drier this morning - wondering on reflection if she may have walked through the water I put in her cage (it's in a lid).Just panicking I think. So sad watching her go through this. I am going to take her with me tomorrow. By the way her name is Fluffy!Original I know but it was thought up by a bunch of 10 year olds!

[suga]

Its a great name for a hamster and I hope that the news from the vet allows you to make decisions where you need to. Thinking of you

[racinghamster]

Use a pestle & mortar to break up any large biscuits for her. She should manage the smaller grains okay, but the extruded biscuits can be a bit hard for an older animal. Give her some dry oats (porrage oats will do) as these are carbohydrate. Puffed rice is also a good food. Rice Krispies are higher in sugar though, but if she enjoys a treat, it`s fine when they won`t eat too well. It`s keeping her interested in food. Most importantly, lower her water bottle right down so that her mouth can reach the spout without her having to reach for it. Keep an eye on her and make sure she can use it.

She needs a retirement home now so I would`nt take her back to the classroom given that there is nobody there all the time to check on her. She needs a quiet warm home now. She`s a grand age, but if she`s eating and toddling about, I feel she`s maybe just feeling the cold and her age, so keep her warm but don`t place a water bottle inside the cage. Lean it against the end she sleeps at, but on the outside of the cage wrapped in a towel. Monitor this though.

Best of luck and I hope she pulls through with some care. x