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Old 08-19-2017, 12:38 AM   #1
Scrubby
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Exclamation Hamster rolling/flipping?

Hi,
Since last night my hamster Buddy has been uncontrollably rolling, almost flipping as it were. He does that, or lays still. I don't know if he can walk, I've given him water but he hasn't eaten. Every time there is a noise/he is touched he starts again. It's constantly to the right, no change of direction. He's starting to chew things when he's still, I'm assuming this is out of frustration.
I'm gonna get him to a vet but I can't get there until tomorrow.
Any ideas how I could maybe help him or what this is?
I realise that sadly there is a likeliness he may have to be PTS.
Any advice is appreciated.
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Old 08-19-2017, 01:35 AM   #2
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

How old is Buddy?
Do you know if he's had a fall or may have hurt himself at all?
It sounds as though it could be something neurological possibly, that could result from a fall & injury or from a stroke (more common in older hams), flipping or spinning in young hams is usually a condition they are born with & can't be treated although some can go on to live a relatively good life if kept stress free.
All you can really do until you get to the vet is keep him quiet & comfortable, make sure he can't fall or hurt himself on anything hard, maybe put extra substrate in or a big pile of shredded tissue & if need be move food & water so he can get to it easily if he wants to.
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Last edited by cypher; 08-19-2017 at 01:42 AM.
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Old 08-19-2017, 01:38 AM   #3
BethandLil
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

Hey Scrubby,

So sorry to hear about Buddy.

I have read previously that it can be a sign of neurological problems.

I hope the vet can give you some good advice on how to move forward.

Sorry I can't offer anything more useful than trying to keep Buddy in a calm environment incase it's stress induced.

Good luck.
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Old 08-19-2017, 03:46 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

From what I have heard, behaviour such as this tends to be caused by a neurological issue, as Cypher says. It's often genetic, I think.

You'll need to remove anything in the cage that he could hurt himself on, possibly even his wheel.

Taking him to the vet is a must. He doesn't necessarily have to be put to sleep.

Good luck. Let us know how everything goes.
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Old 08-19-2017, 03:50 AM   #5
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

Buddy is over a year old now but only by a few months. THis is the first time I've ever seen anything like this so he wasn't born with it.
No falls or accidents or anything but he was doing this when I came home from work, my lamp was also on the floor next to his cage (must have blown off the windowsill) so maybe that hit his cage and triggered this or something?
He's got an appointment at the vets tomorrow morning but until then I don't really know what I can do for him. I don't wanna leave him in case something happens.

He is either fitting or laying still. He isn't walking/standing, he hasn't eaten, I've given him water through a syringe which he happily took.

I've been laying him on a folded towel with the edges up so he's in a ring almost, which seems to be working because he hasn't got out of it and can't hurt himself.

He's in my room with the window shut so no loud noises.
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Old 08-19-2017, 04:01 AM   #6
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

Sadly this really sounds like it's caused by something neurological..

Is it completely onesided? Can he use one side of his body like normal? Or is it his whole body?

One of my hamsters had a stroke and she couldn't use the left side of her body anymore and you could even see the left side of her face hanging down a bit.

I really hope it is nothing like this, because if your hamster can't move anymore and has no appetite, there is only a small chance that he will recover from this sadly

Hope the vet can help you out though!
For the meantime just try to keep him comfortable.
(You could try and cook some oatmeal with a little water and give it to him in a syringe. My Hammy really liked that whilst she was sick.)
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Last edited by Merle; 08-19-2017 at 04:38 AM.
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Old 08-19-2017, 04:02 AM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

Could you put some food close to him. Even put it on the substrate, rather than in a bowl. He may also eat baby food (check the list of safe baby food from the thread about baby food for hamsters)
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Old 08-19-2017, 04:33 AM   #8
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

At that age if there's no possibility at all that he may have fallen then I would guess a stroke is most likely.
All you can do is keep him comfortable as I suggested before.
If it is a stroke they can sometimes recover & go on to live good lives for some time so I hope the vet can help.
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Old 08-19-2017, 05:13 AM   #9
Scrubby
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

It he can use both sides of his body but when he's rolling you can see that everything on one side of his body is in use, he's even looking upwards with his right eye and not his left.

I've tried giving him food but all he does it bites it and spits it out. I'll try baby food.

Do you mean this was caused by a stroke or he is having a stroke? If the latter would he still be doing it?
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Old 08-19-2017, 05:19 AM   #10
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Default Re: Hamster rolling/flipping?

This would be as a result of having had a stroke. He would not still be having a stroke.

Babyfood is good. You could also try porridge or wet cat food.
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