Hibernation?Shock?

[horseandhamlover]

I found my brother's hamster, Harry (I've attempted to put up a picture but I don't know if it will work) on the floor of his cage, curled up in a ball. He was cold to the touch, and so we stroked him and tried to get him moving, but he was very slow and inactive, like he was sleep-walking. We've put him in his bed and put a cloth over his cage, but will he be O.K? What can we do? Will he live?

[Pebbles82]

You could try gently warming him. Maybe on your lap cradled in your arms so you can hold him against your body and your body heat will help gently warm him. You don't want to try warming him up too quickly as that can be quite a shock. He may be in hibernation if he has got a bit cold (it's actually torpor). Either way, holding him gently against your body to warm him may be the best way to help see if he comes round a bit.

How old is he?

[horseandhamlover]

He's 1 and 2 months old.

[cypher]

Where are you? Most places aren't really that cold now so torpor does sound doubtful, depends where you are though I guess.
If he is an older ham then he may have had a stroke or a problem with his heart which isn't uncommon, it can happen with younger hams too sometimes.
Shock is a possibility, either something happening outside the cage which may have scared him or is it possible he may have fallen in the cage?
All you can really do now is keep him warm & quiet, see if he responds & if he remains alive but unwell or unresponsive get him to a vet as soon as you can.

[Pebbles82]

Agree with what Cypher says. One year and two months isn't that old so it could be a medical thing.

[horseandhamlover]

He's O.K!!!!!! He's running about and he's his normal temperature!!! Thank you so much!!!!

[oddlyoblivious]

Watch letting the house get that cold, If I remember correctly anything under 50 degrees Fahrenheit can be dangerous, though someone might remember more precisely.

[Pebbles82]

That's excellent news. Sometimes they can just fall asleep in unusual places, but the fact he was cold seems significant. Not sure where you are in the world but we can still get overnight frosts in the Uk this time of year. I find if it's chilly enough for us to need a heater on in the evenings, I leave one on low overnight for the hammy.

It could also be a medical thing. If you don't think the room temperature is an issue, maybe book a vet check.

[Thin Lizzy]

So relieved your little ham is ok but, I can bet you got a fright. Try giving more substrate and toilet paper for bedding and maybe think about getting a thermometer type thing for the room he's in so that it doesn't happen again.