Biscuit is Spinning

[Hammie]

I have only had biscuit for a few weeks (P@H adoption - unsure of age) but I think he has started to show signs of what I now know to be spinning having read up on it

He sleeps all day and is has only ever been active in the dark so it is difficult for me to know how much he does this. When I come into my dark room and put a lamp on he is there spinning in circles. He stops after a minute of me being there and then doesn't start again (he then tends to hang half over his food dish) so I don't know if he only does it for short periods.

He has tubes and a wheel to play with but he has never shown any interest in these. I have read it is genetic but he didn't do it when I first got him (he used to run around but not in circles). He did appear to have a brief spasm a few weeks ago (only lasted a few seconds) and now I am wondering if he has had a stroke.

He is still eating (I am putting food in front of him to make sure he gets it) and I think he is drinking. I am going to try him in the play pen tomorrow to see if it is something he does all the time. I was wondering if anyone knows of anything that can ease the symptoms?

[nooboo]

if worried take him to the vet, there is a good one attached to the stockport pets @ home, its the one i use anyway!

if it starting happening after the spasm i would be inclined to see a link there, but you never know

if it was a stroke there isnt much that can be done, but as it could be an ear infection or similar its worth getting the hamster checked over, so you know all that can be done has been done.

you could try waking him during the day with a treat to observe his behaviour before he goes back to bed? just so you have more to report to the vet.

hope it all turns out well

[Hammie]

Well I woke him today (which he was not impressed about) and I put him in the play pen. He just sat still for five minutes, I offered him some food but he didn't want it. When he started to move he started to spin in circles so it seems like he doesn't have to do it all the time as long as he stays still but when he tries to move he spins. I'm wondering if this is why he is so inactive - because he doesn't want to be spinning all the time.

I've put him back in his bed, left him some food and held the water bottle in front of him which he drunk from. Thanks for the recommendation of the stockport P@H vet. I do have a vet around the corner from me but I'm happy to go to Stockport if you suggest for hamsters. I will phone up tomorrow, I have a horrible feeling that he may suggest being put to sleep but I'm still hoping it may just be an ear infection.

Thanks for your help.

[Hope]

I'm sorry to hear about Biscuit, but it sounds like the symptoms of an ear infection, but I'm no expert. I did alot of research when I thought my ham had one and this was one of the symptoms mentioned. I would get Biscuit to a vet as soon as you can, if they can make her better they will, they will not just put down a pet straight away. Good luck and I hope that Biscuit is soon feeling better x

[fluffymunchkins]

sorry to hear your poor babies not having the best of times lately
I would be very concerned about the fit, i lost my robo dot a few days after witnessing her have one.
Even though she completely recovered after (no spinning in my case)
So its a good idea to get him checked out!

[Tish36]

I hope Biscuit is okay

[Iluvhamsters]

Any news on Biscuit yet?

[SarahJ]

If the spinning has started since the fit, take her to a vet!

My robo Billy spins, its not nice seeing them do it. he spins so much in one spot that there is no sawdust in that circle. he can eat and drink fine and can walk in a straight line.
Ive noticed that if he gets slightly stressed it tends to make his spinning worse.

Hope Biscuit is ok, update us with any news.

[Hammie]

Hey guys

Sorry for not being able to post all week, had a hectic week at work and couldn't really get online. Biscuit is still spinning at night and sleeping all day. I took him to the vet who thinks it could be related to the seizure I think he had a few weeks ago but he also thinks it is becoming a behaviour he is used to doing. He asked if he had a wheel and I explained that he does but will not use it at all - or any of the tubes I have put in for him. The vet says as he is an adoption it could be that he never had a wheel etc before and so is learned way of releasing energy is to spin. Personally I think it is caused by the seizure seeing as he also has a twitch.

Anyway the vet picked him up and said his cheek pouches were full and he was quite fat so he wasn't struggling to eat and I hear him drinking in the night. He says he doesn't think he is suffering or in pain and so to just monitor him. He said that if he was underweight then he would think he wasn't coping and that I would probably have to have him PTS.

So good news in that I don't have to make a decision yet but still sad to see him spin. The vet said to persevere with the wheel so I have bought him a new smaller wheel (silent spinner) and I am going to rearrange some of his things so that it is easier for him to get about. Hopefully he will be ok - thanks for your advice

[fluffymunchkins]

thats great to hear
I wish him all the best!
Looks like he still trys to do his best even with the spinning.