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Old 11-25-2022, 09:27 AM   #1
Petite
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Default Sick robo

My robo, Holly, is sick. I took her to the vet this afternoon. The vet found blood around her anus, and thinks she has a stomach upset. She has been given Baytril to put in her water bottle, and Metacam for any pain she may have. For a 15-month-old hamster I have not actually held until today (she moves like lightning, and I could probably only get hold of her today because she is under the weather) feeding her Metacam presents difficulties.

I understand you can mix it with babyfood, but as our "babies" are now in their 30s, I have no idea what to buy, or whether I can mix it with anything else. The vet recommends softer foods while she gets back to normal. Could anyone please advise?
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Old 11-25-2022, 09:49 AM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Sick robo

Hi, i wouldn't mix the baytril in water - it can put them off drinking the water. if you cant give it to them yourself with the syringe then yes add to baby food. you can get pouches from the supermarket, go for one with vegetables. either a sainsbury's own or ella's kitchens are quite good. i think they are around a £1. they last 3 days i think it is when opened, or you can do what i do which is freeze them in little ice cube trays. so it is not wasted. I tend to mix the baytril with the baby food and add a few oats.
The metacam you could try offering via the syringe or just put the measured amount on a spoon or little dish in the cage. They normally love the taste of that one so it can be easy to get them to take it.

i have a video which explains it all a bit more (although i need to update it as i do things a bit different now)
Giving Medicine To A Hamster: An Easy Way - YouTube

goodluck and i hope your robo feels better soon.
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Old 11-25-2022, 09:51 AM   #3
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Sick robo

forgot to say, you can always try some mushed up science selective pellets for softer foods. but if they are eating ok still i would keep up with their normal food too.
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Old 11-25-2022, 11:42 PM   #4
Lemon
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Default Re: Sick robo

I had a very hard time giving my hamster baytril and metacam even when mixed with fruits and vegetables, but she is extremely excited to take medicine when I mix it with peanut butter

It seems the smell of peanut butter is so strong, she doesn’t notice the medicine I guess

Last edited by Lemon; 11-25-2022 at 11:52 PM.
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Old 11-26-2022, 05:18 AM   #5
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Default Re: Sick robo

Quote:
Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1 View Post
forgot to say, you can always try some mushed up science selective pellets for softer foods. but if they are eating ok still i would keep up with their normal food too.
Unfortunately, I had already mixed the Baytril with her water when I read your message. But I saw her drinking last night. She looks rather doddery and unwell and doesn't come out of her burrow much. I will buy some baby food today to encourage her to take the Metacam. Many thanks for your helpful video.

Lemon, I will try peanut butter if she doesn't take to the baby food. Thanks for the tip.
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Old 11-26-2022, 04:33 PM   #6
Stanza
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Default Re: Sick robo

Sorry to hear little Holly is unwell, hope the baytril helps to get her well again.
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Old 11-27-2022, 09:29 AM   #7
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Default Re: Sick robo

Holly is no better, and in fact seems really poorly. I've just cleaned her cage to get rid of an accumulation of hamster mix that she was amassing, and which may possibly have been the cause of the vet's diagnosis of "stomach upset" if she had ingested some that was not as it should have been. I know it's not good to stress them out when they're unwell by cleaning, but thought in this instance that it was all to the greater good.

While the cleaning was done, I tucked her cosily into her travel carrier. While in a small space, I took the opportunity of trying to give her the Metacam prescribed by the vet. I held the spoon right up against her nose, but she wasn't interested and just looked to be droopy and falling asleep. I added baby food and tried again, but got the same reaction.

Worse still, when I came to put her gently back in her cage, I noticed drops of bright red blood on the substrate - more than we had hitherto seen - and I am terribly worried. I fear I may be going to lose her. Just now she is huddled in her sand bowl, moving slightly but eyes closed, or nearly closed. She never behaves like this. Should I take her back to the vet, or do you think the stress would be too much for her? I really don't know what to do for the best. I'm also worried that she may be in pain.
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Old 11-27-2022, 12:02 PM   #8
Ria P
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Default Re: Sick robo

I'm so sorry to hear about Holly.

I can only advise what i would do and have done in the past.
Whenever i'm worried that a hamster may be in pain or doesn't want to take pain relief, i take them to the vet.
I then decide together with the vet on what to do that's in the best interest of the hamster.

I don't think hoarded hamster mix would be the cause of Holly's ailment, not unless it had become damp and mouldy. Even then, i don't think Holly would have eaten it.
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Old 11-27-2022, 03:37 PM   #9
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Default Re: Sick robo

Thanks so much for your response, Ria. I have been trying to offer Holly water, but she seems to be asleep / half asleep in her sand bath, and has been for hours now. I will see how things are in the morning, but I think I will have to take her back to the vet. It's heart-rending watching her as she is now.
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Old 11-28-2022, 02:04 AM   #10
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Default Re: Sick robo

Just a quick and sad update. Holly died this morning. I was up twice during the night to check on her, and she was just the same, seemingly asleep in her sand bath, more or less completely unresponsive, but this morning she was lying on her side. I am relieved her suffering is over and she looks peaceful now. She was such a sweet, gentle hamster, and I will miss her so much.
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