Sugar, the Elderly Hamster

klainep · 07-26-2018, 08:34 PM

I was so excited at the beginning of the week. We had removed all tubes from Sugar's (my female Syrian hamster) cages after she was having a hard time going through them, removed one platform and lowered the remaining. After a couple of days of rest, she seemed back to her old self.

Now I'm worried again. I noticed her starting to walk with her front paws turned in, and now find her limping, favoring her right paw. Which explains why she is no longer interested in running in her ball. I guess I'm here looking for what to look for and expect in elderly hamsters.

Sugar is sleeping more. Like I said before, she's not interested in running in her ball, but loves running back and forth on our "L" shaped couch and playing our little game where she slides off the armrest into our hands

She seems more interested in finding ways of escape instead of just exploring like she had been. Also, she's not pooping as much, and I noticed will use her sand bath as a bed sometimes!! Which would explain the bedding that started appearing there the past few weeks.

What has been your experience in your aging hamster? Any suggestions, advice on anything I've said? Any additional behavior I should not be surprised about? Thanks so much.

cypher · 07-26-2018, 11:51 PM

If she hasn't had any falls or other accidents the limping sounds as though she could be a bit arthritic, a bit like us really their joints can get a bit stiff & painful, as long she seems to be managing ok I wouldn't worry too much, if they appear to be in pain a vet may prescribe some metacam but it doesn't really sound as though she needs that just yet if she's happy enough to run around on the couch.
When they get old I think you just have to take each day as it comes, let them do what they like & try to let them guide you as to anything that needs attention.

klainep · 08-02-2018, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

If she hasn't had any falls or other accidents the limping sounds as though she could be a bit arthritic, a bit like us really their joints can get a bit stiff & painful, as long she seems to be managing ok I wouldn't worry too much, if they appear to be in pain a vet may prescribe some metacam but it doesn't really sound as though she needs that just yet if she's happy enough to run around on the couch.
When they get old I think you just have to take each day as it comes, let them do what they like & try to let them guide you as to anything that needs attention.

Thanks Cypher. We ended up removing the last remaining platform as we watched her fall asleep on it and didn't want her rolling off of it. She was looking for it this morning!

I fed her oatmeal this morning for the first time and she LOVED it!! haha.

I've noticed in the past few days her left leg is quite swollen, but it honestly doesn't slow her down much when she's determined. I'm thinking it might be arthritis? But I did call and set up a vet appt for her tomorrow to see if it's anything serious. Sugar has never been very vocal, and so I don't know if she's in much pain because she doesn't "say" anything, and will still want to run/play sometimes (albeit much less now that she's older).

cypher · 08-02-2018, 10:59 PM

I would be a bit concerned if her leg is swollen, they don't normally get swelling with arthritis, it's possible she may have injured her leg somehow.
It's always hard to tell if they're in pain as their instinct is always to hide it.
I would keep a close eye on it, if the swelling doesn't go down very soon it may be best to have her checked out by a vet.

Good to hear she's enjoying her oatmeal

klainep · 08-03-2018, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

I would be a bit concerned if her leg is swollen, they don't normally get swelling with arthritis, it's possible she may have injured her leg somehow.
It's always hard to tell if they're in pain as their instinct is always to hide it.
I would keep a close eye on it, if the swelling doesn't go down very soon it may be best to have her checked out by a vet.

Good to hear she's enjoying her oatmeal

Thank you cypher. I had set up a vet appointment for Sugar for this morning, but last night noticed that the swelling had gotten worse and was now red/purple in color. So two of my sons and I decided to take her the 24 hour emergency vet nearest us. Unfortunately the vet discovered other areas of swelling on her (I can't believe I missed noticing them) and said it was probably some kind of cancer that had moved to her lymph nodes.

She did offer to give us some pain medicine for her if we wanted to take her home, but after discussing it further, my sons and I decided we didn't want to wait until it was obvious she was in a lot of pain to do something, so we made the difficult decision to have her put to sleep.

Ugh. We're so sad. It's been a hard day. We're surely going to miss her.

mzwiwy · 08-03-2018, 07:26 PM

Oh how very sad. I'm so sorry.

cypher · 08-04-2018, 12:17 AM

I'm so very sorry, these things can happen very quickly & after doing everything you could to make her comfortable as she aged you made the kindest decision for her in the end, from her behaviour it doesn't sound as though she had suffered much for long & she is at peace now.
I'm sure she will be sadly missed but you gave her a lovely life.
Hugs to you.

dreamtree1234 · 08-04-2018, 04:36 AM

I'm so sorry about the passing of your beloved Sugar. You did absolutely everything that you could to help make her life easier for her as she aged, and it was truly terrible and heartbreaking news to discover that she had cancer that spread to her lymph nodes. Although she will be greatly missed by you and your boys, you all made the most loving decision to help her find peace at the Bridge. Now, your little heart-ham will no longer be in any discomfort and she will be your furry, guardian angel watching over you happily and lovingly. She will live on in your heart and memories as well. My heart goes out to you. Hugs.

RIP, dear Sugar. Have fun at the Bridge.

Sasha04 · 08-04-2018, 08:06 AM

I’m so sorry for your loss of your beloved, Sugar. You did great to make her life amazing and happy, full of adventures and new things to explore. You made a good choice to put her to sleep, now she isn’t in any pain. Giant hugs to you and Libby sends little kisses.
Run free at the bridge Sugar.