Retirement cage - Page 2

FluffySiberian · 05-22-2015, 04:44 AM

More photos....

FluffySiberian · 05-22-2015, 04:47 AM

Some more..........

FluffySiberian · 05-22-2015, 04:52 AM

And finally more of the cutie

I will give you all another update on how he is getting on in his new enclosure etc once he settles in.

racinghamster · 05-22-2015, 04:55 AM

What a lovely lad he is.

Give him plenty of kissy cuddles from me! The cage looks to be a Pennine cage. They sell `starter` cages....you have to laugh at the word `starter`! Anything you can offer him that has a bit more leg room I`m sure he will appreciate, poor lad. Let us know how he`s settling in Fluffy and well done for taking him. x

cypher · 05-22-2015, 06:10 AM

He's lovely! So glad you got him, I hope he settles in well & have no doubt he'll be a lot happier in your care

FluffySiberian · 05-24-2015, 12:52 AM

I didn't realise how bad things actually were.

1. I discovered he has a nasty old wound which became infected at some point underneath his chin and neck/chest area and it still looks red and sore. I am currently treating the wound with antibacterial wipes, antibacterial cream and antibacterial powder.

2. He is walking strangely which could be an indication of his hips troubling him.

3. One of his front legs seems to spasm outwards whenever he tries to groom himself.

4. He is keep jumping and rolling on his back whenever he hears a noise including when I gently touch him. This could be because he may of been roughly handled by loud and boisterous children in his previous home.

5. There is a rather large lump at the bottom of his cheek which isn't going away. I am not sure whether it is food, a partially impacted cheek or some of the fluffy bedding his previous owner used that has somehow got stuck. He keeps trying to push it out with no success whatsoever. Tumor maybe?

6. He chatters his teeth sometimes when he moves around and that has lead me to believe he is in some sort of discomfort/pain.

7. He sometimes sleeps in the open which is unusual. I am not sure whether this could be because his previous owners didn't give him suitable housing or didn't bother to put his house back up whenever it got knocked over so he had no other choice but to sleep feeling unsafe.

8. His back is very arched. Maybe because of the too small of a wheel he had, his age or a combination of the two? I don't know.

9. He has a scratch mark underneath his eye. It doesn't look too bad but I will keep an eye on it anyway.

10. He is eating and drinking very little. I keep offering him soft food and water but he is not interested.

I think that is it for now. I truly am at a loss. I don't know what to do or how to help the poor little guy. I have put him in his hospital cage so I can monitor him 24/7. This is going to sound extremely selfish but I wouldn't of adopted him if I had of known the problems I would be facing. I feel really bad for saying that! I am not the type of person who easily gets upset but I feel like crying my eyes out for him as I write this post.

I am thinking euthanasia is the only solution since it would be very cruel of me to allow him to suffer like this.

racinghamster · 05-24-2015, 01:10 AM

FluffySiberian, please don`t worry about feeing the way you do. Lets start fresh and look at what`s going on with the wee lad. He may well need to see a vet just to be sure he isn`t suffering. Was he acting okay the day you got him? Has his behaviour now changed for the worse?

The wounds could possibly be from bar chewing so keep an eye on those but gently cleaning with a cotton pad and warm water (boil it first and allow to cool down).

The poor lad probably needs peace, quiet and rest, but if there is something ailing him, the signs will be obvious like irritability, not wanting to eat, or trying to eat but seems unable to pouch. Watch him to see if he CAN sit and nibble on food or if he`s having any problems. If he is, I would say see a vet for a check over, but he does sound as though he`s went a bit downhill since you got him.

See how he is today and just do what you can, making sure he can sleep, keep his food and water near his bed and use the single level cage so he can`t climb. x

maebh06 · 05-24-2015, 01:23 AM

Hope he is ok poor thing. Don't worry about feeling guilty, I would have been the same.
Some of it, like the not eating and drinking might be the fact that he's a bit stressed out because of the move, but he does look a wee bit worse.
The back arching definitely sounds like it was from the wheel, and after looking at the cage he came in, the wheel looks way too tiny for a syrian.
Hope things gets better, but if not, i'd go to the vet and see if they could do anything.
In the end, you've saved this poor hammy from a tiny cage, (with the dreaded fluffy bedding!) and from boisterous young children, so he can live out his days in peace and quiet with a loving owner who wants the best for him.
Much love x

cypher · 05-24-2015, 01:44 AM

I'm really sorry you're finding this so hard, it is distressing to see a ham in such a state but I do think RH has given you good advice, it may not all be as bad as it seems & a vet should be able to tell if he's suffering too much or if he can be treated for any problems he has & live out his retirement comfortably & quietly.
Whichever way things turn out you've already done this little guy a great kindness so try to focus on that.

FluffySiberian · 05-24-2015, 01:46 AM

He was acting slightly odd the day I got him (e.g hesitant, cautious, wary) other than he seemed okay. His behavior hasn't changed that much. He is still somewhat active and curious. I have made sure his food and water is near his bed. I will take him to the vet if there is no improvements by tomorrow. I wasn't aware you had to use boiled water to be honest as I would of just used tap water. His hospital cage is the one I got off my friend. Thanks for the advice! Much appreciated.