Is my hammy ill?

Poppy Hamster · 10-07-2013, 06:36 AM

Hello, this is my first post here and I found the site trying to determine if my little hammy is sick. I have a Syrian hamster named Poppy, she is around 1yr (named Poppy as we bought her on rememberance day last year).

She’d been absolutely fine, I cleaned her cage on Sunday night using all the stuff I usually use (just wash in hot soapy water then use a kind of detergent spray for cleaning them from the pet store). Usual bedding, sawdust, food etc.

Last night I heard her wake up around 7pm as usual so went to feed her and found her bowl was still full of food from the night before. She’s never done that before. Her usual routine is empty her bowl and put it all in her little “stash” under the ledge near her bed. I threw the food away and gave her some fresh but I noticed she didn’t seem herself. Once she has woke up she is normally very active, running around her cage and doing her “hamster bat” impressions (where she clings and walks around on the roof of her cage). She was moving around the cage really slowly and tentatively. I picked her up and couldn’t see any injuries or anything and stroked her all over, expecting a nip if she was hurt, but she seemed ok. But when I put her in her cage she went over to the corner (not in her bed) and curled in a tight little ball and just lay there. She was not shaking or anything, her breathing seemed quite slow but to be honest I’ve never watched her breathing.

She responded when I stroked her and would un-curl from her ball and have a little sniff of my fingers then curl up again.

I got her to take a couple of little bits of grated cheese, but she still wouldn’t touch her regular food.

I read online about Hamster showing hibernation signs if cold. I put extra bedding in her cage near her bed just in case, although it isn’t particularly cold in our living room (I had short sleeved top on and was not cold in the slightest).

This morning she had gone back to her bed and blocked up the entrance with the extra bedding I put in (she normally sleeps with her nose poking out of the bed).

Does it sound like she is sick? Is there anything I can do to help her at all? My husband is away and I am such a softie when it comes to animals and I was crying last night watching her crawl all slowly around the house, so obviously not her usual self.

Any advise anyone please?

caro317 · 10-07-2013, 03:42 PM

Welcome to the forum. I'm so sorry your little one sounds sick, I'm not sure what might be wrong but she isn't her usual self and I would be upset too so just wanted to send you some positive thoughts. There are some very experienced people on here who may have good advice but I would also book in with the vet as she's not taking her food. Really hope she's ok.

Poppy Hamster · 10-08-2013, 12:25 AM

Thanks Caro317. I'm hoping it was just a blip as she seemed a little better last night. Definitely still not her usual self and sleeping more than she would , she would usually have a couple of active hours / playtime while I am still up before I go to bed and always hear her playing and wheel spinning at some point in the night and not hearing that. She got up and seemed to be moving better around her cage, and when I picked her up she climbed up me, not running all over like normal, but not just sat in my hand like the night before.

She's still not touching her regular hammy food but has had a little scramabled egg, a piece of apple, a piece of carrot and a raisin. I've still not seen her drink yet so I've put a shallow bowl of water near to her bed.

I think I will make an appointment at the vets tomorrow for her. Hopefully when I get home from work she will be even better still and I can cancel but I'd rather have one booked in just in case, especially if I still don't see her drink. Thanks for your reply x

Tutu · 10-08-2013, 02:14 AM

Perhaps time to visit vet ?
Meantime best of luck to you both.

Munchalot · 10-08-2013, 11:10 AM

Hi and welcome to HC.

Poor little Poppy, I'm sorry she's not feeling well. Maybe it's some kind of stomach upset, but then she may not have taken the treats if thats the case. Have you felt her belly? Does it seem swollen/distended or quite solid? Have you noticed her little poops to be normal?

I think it's probably best you take her to the vets. Best of luck, hope she's okay x

BijousGirl · 10-10-2013, 06:20 PM

Hey I'm so sorry
but im new and i cant send messages and i need help, my hamster has a swollen face and it has got to one of her legs but she still use's it but I'm worried sick and i have been to the vet two times and tomorrow i go for the 3 time and they mite put her to sleep and i don't want that and that's y i am doing this i would not be doing this if she was not.

HELP!! please

PS: she is eating but she is not running on her wheel or around her cage.

Poppy Hamster · 10-11-2013, 12:37 AM

Hi everyone and thanks for the messages. An update on Poppy, she is going to the vets this afternoon. I didn't realise until I saw it here that the cotton wool bedding type was dangerous

I had that in her bed, I just bought from a local pet store and it said for hamsters and other small mammals so I thought it was ok

I think she may have eaten it. She doesn't seem in pain but she's moving around very slowly, she's still very much off her food and water, and just doesn't look herself. Last night we noticed she seemed swollen and chubby, like she had put on a load of weight but obviously she hasn't. She let me pick her up and I can't feel any particular lump, but she just seems fatter all around her middle so this could have caused a blockage. I'm finishing work early today to get her in to the vets so please keep your fingers crossed for little Poppy!!

Poppy Hamster · 10-11-2013, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BijousGirl

Hey I'm so sorry
but im new and i cant send messages and i need help, my hamster has a swollen face and it has got to one of her legs but she still use's it but I'm worried sick and i have been to the vet two times and tomorrow i go for the 3 time and they mite put her to sleep and i don't want that and that's y i am doing this i would not be doing this if she was not.

HELP!! please

PS: she is eating but she is not running on her wheel or around her cage.

Hi, I know you are worried about taking your hammy to the vets but it's really for the best. They won't put her to sleep without your consent and it could be something treatable. If she isn't acting herself just like my Poppy then definitely take her to the vets. Good luck, hope she gets better x