2yrs old dwarf RWW losing weight

karlh · 04-21-2023, 10:41 AM

When I brought the two sister home 2 years ago, they were almost 2 months old. Hetti was 32g and Mitzi 45. They grew and both put on weight. Hetti weighed 55g and Mitzi 72g.
They have both enjoyed good health for the past 2 years (2nd birthday 15 May)
A month ago, Hetti, began to lose weight. I put her on vitamin and protein enriched diet She remained a happy, chirpy as ever. At ad drank as always.
She began to drink a bit more, so I did a diabetes test, which turned out to be Negative.
When she got down to 43g I made an appointment with the local vet. She found nothing wrong with her. After she lost couple more gs, I spoke to her again. I was given a vial of Baytril to administer twice a day.
She is 5 days into the treatment. She now weighs 39g for 3 days.
My question is: if she continues losing weight, low skinny will she become? I hope that the meds will do some good and she will live for a bit more.

souffle · 04-22-2023, 03:11 AM

They are quite old hammies now and weight loss is common in older hamsters.
Unfortunately extra protein at this age doesn't really help as they don't absorb it that well due to their organs weakening with age.
If your little one is still happy and doing her normal things it is likely just age related. You have done your best and got her vet care so I think you should enjoy her twilight times. You never really know how they will fare when they get older so it's really a case of one day at a time.

karlh · 04-22-2023, 01:25 PM

Thanks, very true. She is having her usual food, augmented with vits drops and coming to the end of the Batryl drops treatment given by our vet. She has kept her weight at 39g for the past few days. Let's hope she will be as sprightly on the 1st May, as she is tonight, when she will be 2 years old. Oddly enough, the very pair of male RWW I had many years ago, also lived well over 2-1/2 yrs. All the others, Campbells, well lucky if the got past 18 months. Hetti will have a nice time and well look after in the autumn of her life. Her sister, Mitzi, at 74g is as reclusive as ever.

karlh · 04-26-2023, 10:35 AM

Hi. you all. I have a sad news. Hetti is doing very well and I hope she will be around for a bit longer. However, her sister Mitzi, passed away this afternoon, suddenly. Very unexpectedly, at 72 gs and almost 2 years old. Was healthy all her live. She was only matter of few days from her 2nd birthday.
The sudden loss is very upsetting. Her little sister is doing quite well, and should make it to her 2nd birthday and a nice cake.

velma · 04-27-2023, 12:13 PM

I'm sorry to hear that. Sad news indeed. It sounds like Mitzi was well cared for, and well loved, just like Hetti is.

karlh · 05-01-2023, 09:34 AM

Hetti has settled at 37 g. She is as bright and active as ever. She has now taken to climbing to the horizontal tubes and having a little snooze there. Also still climbs to the attic to have a snack of dried mealworms.
Will have to make a little birthday cake for her with 2 tiny candles... pics to follow, I hope