Weight Loss?

karmawitch · 03-19-2009, 11:39 AM

Hi

I've been away for a month, and my neighbour has been looking after my hamsters, one of the Russians seems to have lost weight while I've been away and is about half the size of her sister.

I noticed she hasn't touched her food much the past few days and I haven't asked my friend yet if she was eating ok while I was away. I did change their food a few days or so before I went away.

I've never given them much fresh food, but maybe I should try to give her something to build her up a bit?

She's fine in herself and running around, but looks a bit scraggy !!

souffle · 03-19-2009, 12:41 PM

You need to check her all over for something that could be causing the weight loss. Most particularly the teeth need examined. She may have broken one and is having trouble eating or have an abcess or pouch problem. If anything is amiss see a vet. Feel her all over for lumps bumps, swollen tummy etc and look at her eyes and ears.
Make sure she is not being bullied and being kept away from the food if she is in with another hammy. It is common for one not to let the other feed enough and if this is happening they need separated so the thin one gets enough. Hope she is better soon. You can feed her porridge, pasta, tofu, mealworms, chicken etc and some oily seeds like linseed and millet to help too.
Hope she picks up soon

karmawitch · 03-19-2009, 01:18 PM

Thanks Souffle, I knew you would answer !!

I checked her over, all seemed ok, couldn't get to her teeth though. She had food in her pouch, but one thing I did notice was that her ears weren't upright like they noromally are, so I wondered if something happened to her while I was away - like she was dropped or something?

Do hamsters miss people do you think?

souffle · 03-19-2009, 03:41 PM

I think they miss familiar smells and routines and the way they are handled certainly. They can sense if they are being held in a loving secure way. When their ears are back it sometimes means they are a bit frightened or unsure or sometimes they are not feeling so well. I guess you need to give her a few more days to see if she settles back home.