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Old 05-23-2021, 06:40 AM   #1
Shamu
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Unhappy Shamu's not acting like herself

Hi guys,

I have had Shamu, a female syrian hamster for one year and one month now. When I bought her I was told she was a bit older than the newest litter that they had. But she was the one who seemed more active and more keen to me, so I decided to buy her even though I knew she was probably an adult already. I was never told her exact age.

For the past few weeks I have noticed her becoming less and less active. She sleeps much more and chews on her toys much less. She also had the habit of chewing on her cage (even though she had chew toys and it was the appropriate size. I was never able to get her an aquarium because my furtinure isn't strong enough to hold the weight of a large awuarium) and she even stopped doing that too. She's black and white and her black fur has become more dull with the time and slightly brown too.

On friday she was totally fine. She tried sniffing my dog and she was on the last plataform of her cage. She was alert and curious as usual and I saw her chewing her toys. On saturday night I noticed her more quiet even though it was kinda late at night when I went ot bed (around midnight) but I just thought it was just one of the days where she was quieter.

Today I woke up and she was laying on her side, almost belly up with a very rapid breathing. I could also hear a clicking sound. Whenever she would get up and move she would wobble to the sides and her head kept doing a nodding motion. She's cold to the touch but I did the dehydration test and she doesn't seem to be dehydrated (her skin goes back to the position but it's hard to see since she is long-haired). I tried feeding her pallets diluted in hot water (kind of like baby food) and she didn't seem interested. Tried giving her water in a spoon and she wasn't interested either but I managed to put a bit of it on her mouth (I don't have a 1ml syringe at the moment). It has been 3 hours since I woke up and she's still acting the same way. Right now she's sleeping belly down, breathing still very quickly and I don't hear clicking anymore.

I have scheduled a vet visit in 3 and a half hours. I have had terrible experiences with exotics vets in my area (I live in Brazil. I only trusted one exotic pet vet and he's not working anymore. I've only had bad experiences with other ones, it seems as if they don't have much knowledge).

I want to know what's you guy's opinion on this.. I'm not sure if I should take Shamu to the vet because it'd be so stressful and it'd make her feel worse. I'm afraid I'll get there and they say they don't know what it is or that she's old and dying and I should put her to sleep (and I'm not even sure if that'd be the best way to go. I'm not sure how euthanasia is done here, but I've read the hamster must be under anesthesia otherwise it isn't peaceful at all. But I can't guarantee how this is done..) and then the whole stressful visit to the vet would be for nothing.

Please, I really need some help.
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Old 05-23-2021, 08:10 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

I am very sorry to hear that Shamu is so unwell.

I would touch her to see if she feels cool or cold to the touch and check if she's responding to your voice or touch.

That's what i did when i found a hamster lying on his side breathing rapidly but saw that he was unconscious and unresponsive so i knew that he wouldn't recover. He was in no acute pain or distress so i let nature take its course but would have taken him to the vet if i thought for one second that he's suffering.

It must be very difficult when you had bad experiences with vets before and i totally understand your reluctance. I would feel the same way.

If you take your hamster to the vet and they suggest euthanasia then i'd ask how they do it and insist on gas before the injection.
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Old 05-23-2021, 08:24 AM   #3
Shamu
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Default Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

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Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
I am very sorry to hear that Shamu is so unwell.

I would touch her to see if she feels cool or cold to the touch and check if she's responding to your voice or touch.

That's what i did when i found a hamster lying on his side breathing rapidly but saw that he was unconscious and unresponsive so i knew that he wouldn't recover. He was in no acute pain or distress so i let nature take its course but would have taken him to the vet if i thought for one second that he's suffering.

It must be very difficult when you had bad experiences with vets before and i totally understand your reluctance. I would feel the same way.

If you take your hamster to the vet and they suggest euthanasia then i'd ask how they do it and insist on gas before the injection.
Thank you so much for replying and for your words. She is cold to the touch. Also I just saw her peeing so I believe that's good news too.. She is responsive, she wakes up from time to time, wobbles around her cage and lays down again. I think she is less wobbly than earlier this morning. She notices when I'm around the cage and she wobbles in my direction and sometimes she tries to sniff me but when I make any movement she lets out a small cry, even when I don't touch her. Then she just goes back to sleep. Her facial expression is very different aswell. She has her eyes half closed all times, ears low.. It's like she's very grumpy all the time. I'm very concernet. The vet visit is in two hours from now.
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Old 05-23-2021, 08:42 AM   #4
Ria P
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Default Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

You said that she was on the last shelf of her cage. Is the cage high enough that she could have fallen and hurt herself? Is she putting her weight on all four legs?

Going by her body language of eyes half closed and ears down she may be in pain.

Even if the vet isn't much good at diagnosing, they'd still be able to prescribe pain relief.
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Old 05-23-2021, 09:02 AM   #5
Shamu
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Default Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

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Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
You said that she was on the last shelf of her cage. Is the cage high enough that she could have fallen and hurt herself? Is she putting her weight on all four legs?

Going by her body language of eyes half closed and ears down she may be in pain.

Even if the vet isn't much good at diagnosing, they'd still be able to prescribe pain relief.
Yes, she puts weight on all legs as far as I can tell. She just is very wobbly when walking, kind of like a duck. It got a bit better since a few hours ago, though.. But still not eating or drinking. But the cage is high enough so that she could fall, yes.. I've never seen her falling but I think it could have happened had her lost her balance or something..
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Old 05-23-2021, 09:29 AM   #6
Ria P
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Thumbs down Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

You could have a look at the thread "Let's see your cages" on the Forum top left and then under Housing for cage set up ideas.

Most people avoid high cages for hamsters because they're good at climbing up but rubbish at climbing down so tend to let themselves drop.

There is one cage that's fairly high but very well and safely set up with all fall risks removed.
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Old 05-23-2021, 10:39 AM   #7
Shamu
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Default Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

Hi guys,

Thank you so much for the answers. I got ready to take Shamu to her appointment and transfered her from her cage to her travel cage. It was very hard to pick her up, she winced every time I touched her. I eventually was able to scoop her up and place her on the smaller cage. She was there for a while, wobbling and turning on her back, unable to move. It was hearbreaking to see. But it kind of got my hopes up because she seemed to be trying to explore her cage.

When I reached my door, however, she fell on her side and began to really gasp for air and then foam begun to come out of her nose and mouth and then she passed. I'm very upset because I wanted her to pass peacefully on her original cage and I'm afraid that when moving her I made things worse.

Thank you for all the kind replies. Wishing you and your hammies the best.
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Old 05-23-2021, 02:40 PM   #8
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

I am so sorry to hear she has passed. It did sound a bit like she may be dying from your description and she may have been older than you suspected. I also had a black and white hamster and the black went brown more as he got older - which made me suspect yours was getting older. It is very sad, but it was her time and at least she passed with you.
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Old 05-23-2021, 03:17 PM   #9
Ria P
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Default Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

I am so sorry that your hamster passed. Don't feel bad about moving her because you were trying to help her and you were with her. It is so very sad when they leave us but you did all you could for her.

Play well at the bridge little Shamu.
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Old 05-24-2021, 12:26 AM   #10
VOESSY
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Default Re: Shamu's not acting like herself

So sorry to learn about Shamu. You did what you could for her.

Sweetest of sleep, little one.
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