My hamster isn't eating almost anything

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by ShadowNinjaHamster

The situation has gotten worse. He doesn't eat cucumber or salad and he had no strength to drink water. He managed to eat cucumber a little bit and was licking it
I don't think he's gonna make it. We managed to eat a little bit and I was petting him, but I'm losing hope here.

I've tried a baby food as well. He does not eat it and the situation has gotten a lot worse since yesterday.

I left him alone now. I'm sure he wants to sleep.

I am so very sorry to read your sad update. Maybe it is his time now. If so I hope he passes peacefully. You are an amazing hamster carer and never forget that.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I don't really understand why you keep blaming yourself.

I think that you need to learn to accept that hamsters can get ill just like humans can.

Just because you are a first time hamster companion doesn't mean that you are a bad one.

Maybe you are very young or have been very lucky and have never experienced illness in your life. Maybe your family and friends have never been ill so Bogie's illness is something completely new to you which would explain why you struggle to understand that illness can happen at anytime.

Would you say its my fault that my 10 months old dwarf hamster died of cancer? Some things are out of our control no matter how hard we try to make things right.

No matter how well we look after our hamsters, we cannot prevent illnesses. So please stop blaming yourself. It is not your fault that Bogie is ill.

Instead of spending hours crying, try to make the best of the time you have together. You can cry later. Bogie is alive, he may not be able to play with you but he can feel your love.

Compared to yesterday and the day before the situation has gotten worse. He doesn't eat anything anymore and I have my doubts he's going to make it till Thursday, although I dearly hope so, but after seeing him today I'm losing hope.

I am not very young and of course I've lost people in my family, but there was a difference. It wasn't that sudden. With Bogie it's very sudden and I didn't expect it to be that painful and when I first got a hamster I thought I won't develop such a deep emotional connection with him. Especially the first weeks when he was absolutely frightened of me. I know it sounds mean, but I didn't know I'll love him that much. A lot of people have "It's just a hamster" attitude. I'll be forever grateful to Bogie for giving me so much love and making me happy. I tried my best to repay him as well. Also, it's good that you know how old your hamster was. I have no idea how old Bogie actually is. He could be actually an old man already. There's a Syrian hamster at the store that has been there for months and yes, I am certain it's the same Syrian hamster since he's really fat and has nothing but a water bottle and food and bedding. He doesn't have a single toy nor a wheel.
Other Syrians I've seen at the same store have been way skinnier.

I am sorry for your loss. It's not your fault. Thanks for the support. You made me feel better and it means a lot.

[Ria P]

It took me by surprise too. I didn't know that its possible to care so deeply about a tiny creature like that, to become so attached. I'm glad you are here on this forum, amongst people who understand what you are going through. Bogie is lucky to have you and he knows you are there.

[Pebbles82]

I've only just caught up with this. I'm sorry Bogie got worse but good you got a vet visit. It does sound like he is very unwell and suffering. Could you tell us the names of the medications? I think the pain relief one is the most important one at the moment. The antibiotics too but mainly the pain relief one. I'm trying to work out if the liquid is the antibiotic or pain relief. Never heard of vets giving a tablet for a hamster - it's always solution usually. Maybe different where you are.

In terms of giving 1/20th the best way is to crush the tablet entirely (use two teaspoons - you put the tablet on one teaspoon and use the back of the other teaspoon (so they're kind of nestled) to press down and grind round a bit until it's entirely crunched down to powder. then use a little wood cocktail stick or something to separate out the powder into 20 little piles. You'll need to put the powder onto something flat for that. It sounds an absolute nightmare.

It would just be good to know what all three are. One will be antibiotic, one pain killer - just wondering what the third one is.

Don't worry about the broken tooth - it's a bit alarming but can happen. It might be to do with his condition, or it might be just he's bitten something hard. It could be why he wasn't eating properly but it sounds like he has no desire for food and is feeling very unwell.

I wouldn't take him back to the vet again unless it's to help him on his way if he gets very distressed - and just keep him comfortable.

How is it going today? It does sound like he is very poorly.

It is fairly common for hamster owners to think they must have done something wrong, especially with a first hamster - but don't feel like that. It is usually more genetic. He had problems right from the start didn't he? With the bugs and meds for that and looking a bit large in places. Sadly some of them are born with genetic issues (usually due to inappropriate breeding).

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I've only just caught up with this. I'm sorry Bogie got worse but good you got a vet visit. It does sound like he is very unwell and suffering. Could you tell us the names of the medications? I think the pain relief one is the most important one at the moment. The antibiotics too but mainly the pain relief one. I'm trying to work out if the liquid is the antibiotic or pain relief. Never heard of vets giving a tablet for a hamster - it's always solution usually. Maybe different where you are.

In terms of giving 1/20th the best way is to crush the tablet entirely (use two teaspoons - you put the tablet on one teaspoon and use the back of the other teaspoon (so they're kind of nestled) to press down and grind round a bit until it's entirely crunched down to powder. then use a little wood cocktail stick or something to separate out the powder into 20 little piles. You'll need to put the powder onto something flat for that. It sounds an absolute nightmare.

It would just be good to know what all three are. One will be antibiotic, one pain killer - just wondering what the third one is.

Don't worry about the broken tooth - it's a bit alarming but can happen. It might be to do with his condition, or it might be just he's bitten something hard. It could be why he wasn't eating properly but it sounds like he has no desire for food and is feeling very unwell.

I wouldn't take him back to the vet again unless it's to help him on his way if he gets very distressed - and just keep him comfortable.

How is it going today? It does sound like he is very poorly.

It is fairly common for hamster owners to think they must have done something wrong, especially with a first hamster - but don't feel like that. It is usually more genetic. He had problems right from the start didn't he? With the bugs and meds for that and looking a bit large in places. Sadly some of them are born with genetic issues (usually due to inappropriate breeding).

I just came back from the vet. I can't get Bogie to open his mouth, thus I cannot give him the medicine.
The medicine is:
Efex (antibiotic)
Meloxoral
Bioprotect (can't be mixed with antibiotic) the vet gave him Efex and Melaxoral. Yesterday I put Bioprotect on his cucumber and he tried to eat other parts of a cucumber and wipe the medicine away from the cucumber, but I kind of kept turning the cucumber and eventually he ate all of the medicine on it.

At night he didn't take any baths nor went to his bathroom (yes, I potty trained my hamster) and his nest was soaking vet in the morning and there was a strong smell of urine. Luckily, my real vet visit is tomorrow and we'll see. He's clearly not doing well at all.

I hope he'll survive till tomorrow and hopefully he'll do better soon.

Yeah, Bogie has had issues since the beginning and he has had a tough life. If I'll ever buy another hamster I won't buy it from that store.

[cloudy]

I am relieved to hear Bogie is still with you. Did the vet manage to give Bogie some medicine? Did they have any advice for you about how you can get him to open his mouth?

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Originally Posted by cloudy

I am relieved to hear Bogie is still with you. Did the vet manage to give Bogie some medicine? Did they have any advice for you about how you can get him to open his mouth?

No, I didn't have an official visit. I just went there so they'd give him the medicine.
Actually, I have a question about baby foods, I bought two new cans and can it contain salt and sugar? I couldn't find without those things.
Do I have to cook it before serving?

[cloudy]

From what I found it should be low in sodium. Perhaps you could list the ingredients?

[cloudy]

I just watched this video and it seems helpful.
Is Baby Food Safe For Hamsters? - YouTube

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

I already gave him. He ate it. Now he's trying to drink.
Salt 0,5g
Water, carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, turkey meat(8%).

He ate a little bit, which made me happy. I hope it's not harmful for him.