Re: I also have a lethargic hamster

mikew · 03-03-2011, 02:26 AM

Hi,

My name's Mike and I'm new to the forum.

My 7 month old Syrian Harry has become lethargic over the past week or so. Late last week I noticed one of his eyes didn't seem as open as the other one and so I took him to the vet for a check-up. When I took him his eyes were both open normally and he was full of energy. The vet checked his eyes and she said she couldn't see any problems or sign of infection etc. I can feel good muscle tone when I pick him up when he's out, he's eating and drinking ok, grooming himself vigerously but just doesn't seem bothered to run round in his wheel much of a night and doesn't seem to want to come out for a run around in his ball anymore. I'm a bit puzzled as to what might be going on.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Many thanks.

fluffymunchkins · 03-03-2011, 01:01 PM

welcome to the forum

I'm sorry I can't help much, theres numerous reasons to why he could be lethargic!
Have you noticed any change in eating, drinking or toileting?

Keep an eye on his weight and habits. He may have something underlying that the symptoms aren't showing yet.

mikew · 03-03-2011, 01:13 PM

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome and your reply.

His eating, drinking and toileting seem to be normal. He just doesn't seem to want to play at play time eg. knaw his wood chews or bars, run in his wheel, come out for a run around in his ball. Weight seems ok, no change as yet.

To me something's not right but I just can't put my finger on it. Is it maybe that I need to keep an eye on him for any changes and then take him back to the vet if I notice anything?

fluffymunchkins · 03-03-2011, 01:18 PM

Yes I would say so.

It isn't unusual for hamsters to change habits as they grow older and sleep or play more/less. The change in season can also cause this.
But if its sudden then I suspect it is something more.

How old is Harry?

mikew · 03-03-2011, 01:19 PM

Harry's about 7 months old.

Iluvhamsters · 03-04-2011, 02:36 AM

I'd also say to keep an eye on him but Syrians do tend to quiten down as the get older.

One thing to consider though is, is his wheel the right size for him? If his back curves when he's on it then it's too small for him and is possibly giving him a sore back and this would make him reluctant to go on his wheel, the same goes for his ball.

mikew · 03-04-2011, 05:44 AM

Thanks for the suggestion about looking into the size of his wheel and ball, I will look into that.

It's strange last night I stayed up real late to see if he came out to play and he did get up at about 1am. Seemed a bit off-balance at 1st but then brightened up a bit and had about an hour's wheel time, ate, groomed, toileted, had a nibble on his chewy bar, even had a knaw on his cage bars. I must have fell asleep about 230am but he woke me about 630am kind of knawing and knocking his bottle and to me was trying to say he wanted to come out for a run around in his ball so I got him out and let him have a 30min run. He seemed a little stiff to start with but improved. To me though he did seem to have more power in his right paws than his left so I got back to thinking maybe a stroke.

Took him to my local Companion Care vet this morning for another check-over (in the past to me the vets there seemed to have more knowledge of smaller/exotic animals than most) but the vet kind of said well he looks fine to me, alert, healthy coat, you say he's eating, drinking and toileting ok. He said he would be reluctant to prescribe him any immediate medication as he couldn't see any signs of illness and dimissed the stroke like symptoms I mentioned saying well some people lose their balance a bit sometimes (which I was a bit dubious about) One of his eyes wasn't open properly when I took him but this time the right and the vet seemed to think he might just be getting some of his paper bedding flakes in his eye as Hamsters like to burrow. To that end I can't think of anything else I can use. I was warned off sawdust by vets many years ago and have since only used the Pets At Home Small Animal Safe Paper Bedding with a double lining of kitchen towel on the bottom of his cage to soak up any moisture. I clean his cage out regularly each week with a small animal safe cage cleaner also from Pet City. In all the vet basically said stop worrying so much, leave him be and only worry if he stops eating, drinking, toileting, shows signs of wet tail or his eyes start to show signs of infection (he did give me some drops to use if this happens) So maybe it's best for me just to leave him and monitor him for any signs of deteriation?

Katarina · 03-04-2011, 06:29 AM

My honey is not using her wheel as much now either - she is six months and she has junior wodent wheel. she is eating and drinking well, but seems to be more sleepy as well and when she is awake she does that vibrating bit that the whole cage is making a noise. she did this since about a month ago but doesn't have any symptoms to point to any illness. her weight is steady too. I think they are just reacting to the cold weather as it did turn really cold again. is Harrys cage in a cold place or could there be a draft? I can't think of anything I could suggest, but I'll be looking on this thread for some tips for myself too. Hope he cheers up for you!

mikew · 03-04-2011, 09:06 AM

Thanks for sharing about your Honey Katarina.

I have Harry's cage in my bedroom which can get rather warm at times so I do open the window occasionally to cool it down a bit. Kind of like being between a rock and a hard place really as don't want him to be too warm but also don't want him to get a draft. The window I'm opening is on the other side of the room to him though and so hopefully he's not getting a draft.

I do hope he cheers up, he's a great little boy

Please let me know of any developments your end and I will too.

Katarina · 03-04-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikew

Thanks for sharing about your Honey Katarina.

I have Harry's cage in my bedroom which can get rather warm at times so I do open the window occasionally to cool it down a bit. Kind of like being between a rock and a hard place really as don't want him to be too warm but also don't want him to get a draft. The window I'm opening is on the other side of the room to him though and so hopefully he's not getting a draft.

I do hope he cheers up, he's a great little boy

Please let me know of any developments your end and I will too.

Will do! good luck! I hate it when the Hammies change their sleeping pattern, gets me all stressed and worried!