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Old 05-06-2021, 12:08 PM   #1
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Possible kidney failure???

So along with Comet at the vets last week so was Mr Twinkle.

He is drinking a lot of water and sort of collapsing after exercising, you know when they have over done it and got a bit over heated and just sort of flop down for a rest then off they go again. Well, he has always done this to a certain extent, the rescue even mentioned that I would see him for a drink during the day.

Anyway, for a little while, instead of just happening once a day, it would happen twice, now it happens 3-4 times a day, up for a drink and if he has been running around or on his wheel - he kind of flops down around 3-4 times.

So just to make sure he hasn't got an infection or something (although no smell/pus)
he is on antibiotics for a month, although I strongly suspect he is just getting old and his kidneys are possibly starting to fail. He is approx 20 months now.

The vet said we could do some tests etc but I think we all agreed that at Twinkle's age it's not really fair on putting him through all that when the likelihood is he's just getting old.

He hasn't lost any weight, still zooms around and still his silly goofy natured self.
He's getting cucumber everyday to try and help keep his kidney's flushed out.
I didn't see him flop down last night, so maybe the cucumber or antibiotics is helping, who knows.

Has anyone had any experience with this, do you think it is just old age?
Star used to doze off in her old age but it's different to that, it reminds me more of Sunny when she used to just flop down and she ended up having an un-operable mass in her abdomen. no sign of anything like that with Twinkle though.

Anyway, keeping an eye on him.
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Old 05-06-2021, 01:03 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Possible kidney failure???

I think it is maybe some kind of organ thing due to old age. Everything starts to gradually fail but they have that determination to keep going which is the main thing! Newt didn't used to flop down but he'd stop and rest and seem short of breath in his last few months. I think they do tend to get worsening kidneys for sure and start drinking more. But the flopping down could be anything. It could even be muscle weakness or arthritis etc. First sign I usually notice when ageing is not being able to climb into something without toppling over (weaker back legs). But zooming around on the level was fine! Just not climbing.

So yes I think it is a gradual ageing thing. Glad he seems his same goofy self!

I tend not to worry about the extra drinking and peeing and see it as just a stage they are at.
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Old 05-07-2021, 12:41 PM   #3
Ria P
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Default Re: Possible kidney failure???

How time flies! It seems like yesterday when you adopted a younger hamster for a change and now he's already 20 months old.

I think the natural decline is setting in and he's starting to show signs of age.
I don't put older hamster through tests and procedures because even though it may give me a more precise diagnosis it wouldn't change the outcome.

Follow your instinct because you are sensitive to your hamsters needs and Twinkle will stay as happy and comfortable as he possibly can.
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Old 06-13-2021, 09:34 AM   #4
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Default Re: Possible kidney failure???

Twinkle update, I stopped the antibiotics after 2 weeks, I went with my gut and I knew it was just old age and his organs probably failing.

He is still speedy when he is up, but he tires easily and at the moment he free roams for 15-30 mins then back in his cage, and he gathers food and goes back go bed.

I have set the night cam up and he is up for about an hour later on in the night, and a few mins around 5am gathering food and then back to bed.
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Old 06-13-2021, 09:37 AM   #5
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Default Re: Possible kidney failure???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
I think it is maybe some kind of organ thing due to old age. Everything starts to gradually fail but they have that determination to keep going which is the main thing! Newt didn't used to flop down but he'd stop and rest and seem short of breath in his last few months. I think they do tend to get worsening kidneys for sure and start drinking more. But the flopping down could be anything. It could even be muscle weakness or arthritis etc. First sign I usually notice when ageing is not being able to climb into something without toppling over (weaker back legs). But zooming around on the level was fine! Just not climbing.

So yes I think it is a gradual ageing thing. Glad he seems his same goofy self!

I tend not to worry about the extra drinking and peeing and see it as just a stage they are at.
Sorry, I never replied Serendipity.
Yes, like you said, just think of it as a stage they are at.
He can still climb things etc, into anything and everything still, zooms around, just tires easily.
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Old 06-13-2021, 09:38 AM   #6
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Possible kidney failure???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
How time flies! It seems like yesterday when you adopted a younger hamster for a change and now he's already 20 months old.

I think the natural decline is setting in and he's starting to show signs of age.
I don't put older hamster through tests and procedures because even though it may give me a more precise diagnosis it wouldn't change the outcome.

Follow your instinct because you are sensitive to your hamsters needs and Twinkle will stay as happy and comfortable as he possibly can.
I know, he arrived just in time for when we all went into lockdown March 2020
Yes, I think that's what me and the vets both thought, no need to put him through tests etc, it's not going to change anything.
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Old 06-13-2021, 02:06 PM   #7
Imogen
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Default Re: Possible kidney failure???

Quote:
Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1 View Post
I know, he arrived just in time for when we all went into lockdown March 2020
Yes, I think that's what me and the vets both thought, no need to put him through tests etc, it's not going to change anything.
Wow! March 2020, that honestly does feel like a week ago. Sorry to intrude in on a conversation here, but it still amazes me how quickly hamsters age. It's so saddening, wish they could live that few years longer.
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Old 06-13-2021, 04:29 PM   #8
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Possible kidney failure???

Quote:
Originally Posted by Imogen View Post
Wow! March 2020, that honestly does feel like a week ago. Sorry to intrude in on a conversation here, but it still amazes me how quickly hamsters age. It's so saddening, wish they could live that few years longer.
I know, wish they could live longer.
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