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Old 08-12-2022, 09:43 AM   #1
Ria P
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Default Rodney is sick.

I'm glad that i took Rodney to the vet today. His poops have become smelly and a little soft and lighter coloured. I've also noticed that his nose is a bit dry and scabby.

Rodney had never been woken up since he's been living here so he wasn't happy and appeared tired but stressed.

He pooped while the vet examined him so she had a good look at his poo and noticed a parasite in the shape of a worm or part of a worm.

Many animals carry parasites including hamsters but often they go unnoticed unless symptoms like weight loss etc become apparent. Rodney hadn't lost weight but his appetite had decreased lately.

He's old and the anti parasite treatment may affect his system more than a younger hamster who has a better immune system but we'll have to wait and see.

I have to keep him apart from the other hamsters for now so will set him up a play area with washable toys downstairs.

Parasites can transfer to other hamsters and humans but i've always been the one who does the hamsters cleaning so i'm not worried about that.

I'm going to keep the other hamsters in seperate play areas as well as a precaution because i suspect that Clive may be affected. He poops a lot when out but always in the bathroom so i can keep an eye on that.

Must go because i have a lot of cleaning and washing to do before anybody gets out tonight.
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Old 08-12-2022, 10:05 AM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

Oh no, sorry to hear this Ria, hope he picks up and feels better soon.
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Old 08-12-2022, 10:19 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

I’m sorry to hear this? He probably had it from before he came to you. I hope the medication helps. I am sure the vet will have come up with a safe dose.
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Old 08-12-2022, 10:19 AM   #4
cloudy
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

I am really sorry to hear Rodney is poorly. I really hope the medication helps and he is better soon.
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Old 08-12-2022, 10:29 AM   #5
Ria P
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
I’m sorry to hear this? He probably had it from before he came to you. I hope the medication helps. I am sure the vet will have come up with a safe dose.
Rodney is the boy i rescued from a bad situation when he was still a baby so he's been here almost all his life.

Parasites can come from insects and they do get into the house. It was probably a pantry moth!!

Could be from food but i can't see how this could be possible. Or another hamster without symptoms, who knows. Rodney could have had them for ages without symptoms but now that he's old he doesn't have the same resistance.

I hope the dear old boy will make it. The treatment itself is toxic and may be too much for him to handle. He's sleeping in a hide just now....
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Old 08-12-2022, 10:51 AM   #6
sushi_78
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

In Germany and other continental European countries they seem to have a lot of issues with internal parasites in rodents for some reason. Testing stool for worms is actually one of the first things they do when a rodent is inexplicably ill because it's so common, and many breeders routinely deworm their rodents. Hay is a often suggested source? It's worth checking das-hamsterforum.de for information if you haven't already.

Hopefully the treatment will help and Rodney will feel better soon.
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Old 08-12-2022, 11:07 AM   #7
Ria P
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi_78 View Post
In Germany and other continental European countries they seem to have a lot of issues with internal parasites in rodents for some reason. Testing stool for worms is actually one of the first things they do when a rodent is inexplicably ill because it's so common, and many breeders routinely deworm their rodents. Hay is a often suggested source? It's worth checking das-hamsterforum.de for information if you haven't already.

Hopefully the treatment will help and Rodney will feel better soon.
Yes, i'm a silent member on Das Hamsterforum. They routinely test rescue hamsters feaces for parasites before rehoming.
I think that it may be more common than people think over here as well but usually it goes unnoticed. Diarrhoea, gastric upsets etc automatically gets treated with antibiotics which may well have been the outcome for Rodney as well, had he not pooped when the vet examined his abdomen for abnormalities. I took some of his feaces but they were formed and dry. The combination of stress and manipulation of his abdomen at the vet's certainly helped the vet with her diagnosis.
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Old 08-12-2022, 01:04 PM   #8
Ria P
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

20220812_205016.jpg

20220812_205323.jpgAfter washing the skirtings etc, i set up a playground for Rodney downstairs. I'll keep this washed blanket and toys for him downstairs.
Can't just leave him in his cage all evening. He's unusually clingy tonight and keeps climbing on my lap.
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Old 08-12-2022, 01:05 PM   #9
cloudy
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

It sounds like he is getting comfort and reassurance from you. It is really nice he feels well enough to come out his cage.
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Old 08-12-2022, 01:16 PM   #10
Ria P
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Default Re: Rodney is sick.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cloudy View Post
It sounds like he is getting comfort and reassurance from you. It is really nice he feels well enough to come out his cage.
Yes, he asked to come out of his cage as per normal. I am worried about how his body is going to react once the medication kicks in. The next 24 hrs need close observation. Luckily i'm on 5 miles from the 24hr animal hospital.
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