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Old 04-28-2022, 09:05 AM   #21
Lilafernim
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
Not all hamsters grow long nails. Rory is nearly 2 and has perfect nails.

Yes, a vet can cut them. A friend paid £30 for her Robo's pedicure with a little sedation (gas).
Thank you! At least it’s reassuring not all do grow long. And at least vets is an option but I don’t really like the idea of sedating them for it. Hopefully they won’t grow more but at least there are options if I can’t!
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Old 04-28-2022, 09:06 AM   #22
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

I've usually found once they are over two (sometimes before) you can notice their nails are longer - because they're not wearing them down like they used to - but sometimes they still seem active, so maybe it's more a genetic thing (like old men growing hair out of their ears Or people going bald. Or wrinkles!).

Don't worry about it till it happens! I think my vet just charged a standard consultation fee - it was about £20 at the time - might be more like £30 now.
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Old 05-03-2022, 04:28 PM   #23
sushi_78
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

I noticed last night that Kebab's (2 years, 2 months old) nails were shockingly long! I tried to cut them then but didn't have any success, and I was exhausted so gave up and went to bed. Tonight I tried again. I did have to wake him up, but they were starting to curl so I didn't want to leave it too much longer, and it was midnight so not an unreasonable time for a hamster to be awake anyway. I managed to get a couple done while he was still dopey from sleep. It's not usually good to wake a hamster up of course but if their nails are so long that the next option would be a trip to vet to have them done under sedation, it's worth a try.

After that I put him on the top of his cage, smeared some malt paste (baby food or similar would also work) on the bars and managed to cut a couple through the bars (reaching in throughout the front door of the cage) while he was licking the paste up. I think I'll have to do this every night until they're all trimmed.

His back nails are much worse than his front nails. I've heard some hamsters bite their nails to keep them short so I wonder if another reason for them growing long in old age is because the hamster can't reach the back ones as easily due to pain, weakness or stiffness?

Last edited by sushi_78; 05-03-2022 at 04:34 PM.
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Old 05-03-2022, 11:56 PM   #24
Ria P
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

That is a very good idea, sushi.

I'll try that with Rodney but need to go to hobbycraft for some magnifying glasses or lenses first.
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Old 05-05-2022, 07:34 AM   #25
Ria P
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

I've just invested in those to go over my reading glasses. See if they do what it says on the packet.

I gather that the light function is optional. They would be too bright to shine on a hamster.

I didn't buy a bird feeder because i think that would stress Rodney out. Must go and get some baby food now to lick off the bars while i trim his nails.

That's the plan but Rodney may have different ideas and outfox me, again.....
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Old 05-05-2022, 07:35 AM   #26
Ria P
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Forgot photo.
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Old 05-05-2022, 11:01 AM   #27
Pebbles82
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Hope it goes ok. I just used ready reader glasses 3 strength over my normal glasses and head good lighting in the room
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Old 05-19-2022, 03:26 PM   #28
Ria P
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These magnifying glasses to go over my glasses aren't that fantastic but they do help.

I managed to trim a few of Rodney's nails when he heard Clive upstairs rattling on a wheel and wanted out. He got annoyed when i didn't open his door and started to chew the bars. I clipped a few nails when he held on to the bars. There's still one i want to clip but he gets fed up with bar chewing when he doesn't get a result.
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Old 08-09-2022, 02:14 PM   #29
Ria P
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

I've noticed that elderly hamsters can go a bit senile.

Rodney forgets his routine, walks about his cage aimlessly for a bit and then goes back in his house.
Sometimes he comes to his open cage door and gives me that "who are you" look.

And Rory just now, seemingly forgot how to come out of his cage. Normally he walks out via his house roof but tonight he tried to headbutt the bendy bridge out of the way!
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Old 08-09-2022, 03:31 PM   #30
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Star always use to go down a tunnel next to her entrance to her hide, she did it all the time and would back up and go down the right one. bless them.
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