Dudley is fading - old age I think

[alisont]

My lovely Dudley my Chinese hammy is fading, he's been on a go slow routine for weeks and now this weekend he's started slowing right down.
I know he's dying, so sad but he's had a wonderful life with me for 2 years since I found him dumped on a bench. I think he was up to 6 months then so he is elderly now.

He now is unable to drink or feed himself or move far. However he was happy to be fed porridge and weetabix at the weekend but not today but he is having water - I soak a cotton bud in water and he's drinking that way.

I feel he's peaceful and not in distress but I'm now thinking he is ready to go and I hope he does go peacefully soon. I've been off today so have kept an eye on him and held him a lot.

Tomorrow I've got to go back to work and won't be here 8-5.30 so if he's still here I hope he will be ok, I can get my Mum to check in on him and give him some water.

If he stays alive longer than tonight/tomorrow I think I'd have to see about taking him to the vets to be PTS as I think if its a gradual shut down of his organs then if he stays with us I'd be concerned that he might be in pain or suffering and I won't see an animal suffer however a trip to the vets will be stressful for him.

I don't know how long hamsters can take to pass away - when I had lots of dwarf hammys when I was younger they seemed to go overnight not hang on, all of them died peacefully in their sleep at home.

He's had such a wonderful life here and brought so much pleasure he's such a wonderful hamster.

Very sad as its atcually my 40th birthday today so not good timing but Dudley doesn't know that and its atcually meant I've had a long weekend off work and had lots of time for him.

Its so sad when they go like this though

[Arraminta]

Big hugs for you and gentle sqishes for Dudley

Thinking of you!

Arraminta x

[DrKMcK]

Some hammies can take quite a long time to pass. I wouldn't let him go on for more than today. Call the vet now so you can bring him tomorrow if he's still with you. He's had a nice long life and been well loved. This is another way we can show our love for them. My sympathy and hope for a gentle passing for Dudley.

[Silver]

I am so sorry Alisont,

They don't have long enough lives do they

Thinking of you both xxx

[iwasbornwright]

Awww bless! Big hugs for you and Dudley!

I hope that he goes peacefully when it happens.

It's so so sad when you have to say goodbye to your little pal.

Big hugs and prayers, thinking of you both!
xx

[csockman]

This breaks my heart to read, but it is comforting to me that Dudley is in the best place he can be right now. You sound like a wonderful caretaker and I hope he passes on soon and finds peace. This is one of the most difficult times for us as ham lovers alisont. Bless you and stay strong.

[Petite1]

I agree with csockman it is hard to read, but your love for Dudleyhas shown through his trust and love hes given back to you, thinking of you and Dudleyx

[alisont]

Thank you all, I've totally accepted its Dudley's time to go as sad as it is. He's had a great healthy life and enjoyed life to the full. He's been a little treasure - I've never known one as friendly as Dudley - never a nip or anything and he's had a great diet lots of healthy treats. How someone could of left him out in the cold 2 years ago - he had a huge hole in one ear and was covered in scratch marks so had Ben fighting with his cage mate no doubt.

I'm well known at the vets here, and they will squeeze us in after surgery tomorrow night if needed, he seems very peaceful but yes it's hard to know if they are in pain. I nursed my rabbit last year through 3 lots of URI's/pneumonia and then cancer, he was 15 and that was so hard to say goodbye and I had to help him in the end so if Dudley needs help and needs to be PTS I will take him but if I feel he's peaceful I'd rather he passed away here. I was at the vets about every other day with my rabbit and now every 2 weeks with a guinea so all first name terms up there.

Its never easy, I've also got one of my older guineas with dental issues and now a urine infection and bladder stone.

He's asleep in a fleece at the mo, but I shall put him back in his cage and his nest as its what he knows best but I really hope he goes tonight as he's ready now x

[alisont]

Just read Dudley's thread on here again lots of nice photos of the little man there.

Introducing Dudley the Chinese hammy!

[csockman]

He is adorable, spoiled and loved. What more can a ham ask for? It pains me to think that he was left on a bench. I am glad that there are people like you in the world... we just need more of them.