PEPSI UPDATE

[jayne]

Gave Pepsi his 2nd helping of baytril about 2hrs ago then gave him some of the apple, which i kind of had to force on him but he did open his mouth for it and munched on it for a minute
After this he went into a corner (not his bed) and slept on and off in a little ball.
Just walked past his cage to see him up on the 1st platform and running on his wheel
I'm taking this as a good sign
I also gave him another clean after the whole medication thing and then gave him the apple as a kind of treat. Held him in the towel which i dont think he liked as he kept clawing and biting the towel

[Holly]

Running on his wheel sounds positive, I am keeping everything crossed for him.

[jayne]

Originally Posted by jayne

Back to Pepsi, He seems ok going by the fact when he hears me he comes out of bed and wanders around. Although he seems to go in to a particular corner of the cage and hunches over making these really weird noises, almost like hes eating something crunchy, but not if you know what i mean Sometimes it changes and its like a chattering noise, like hes cold and his teeth are chattering together.

Oh, one more thing, is it ok to hld him by his scruff when picking himup? The vet done this and just wondered. Will also try holding him with a towel wheni feed him the apple, so hes nice and cosy!

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what the 'chattering' noise could be? Hes been doing it again today after i had him out for his medication but this time i saw his face and his whole head/mouth was shaking while doing this noise Positive hes not got anything in his mouth that he could be crunching on so dont know what the crunchy noise is

I appreciate everyone helping me with this, I am still pretty worried for the wee guy and hope he will start eating and drinking soon. I have loads of toys for him to play with when he gets better *fingers crossed*

[Catja]

I believe teeth chattering is usually a sign of annoyance, for instance if I get Kretchmer out of her cage and do something she doesn't like, then she starts chattering her teeth at me until I stop doing it. This is usually related to her wanting to go in the opposite direction when running hand to hand, or a noise she doesn't like or a smell, so you may be cooking something in the kitchen and you take her in there and she will teeth chatter until I take her somewhere else.

Algy when I first started handling him would teeth chatter because he was nervous and unhappy. Every time he started this I put him down and we progressed like this and now he has stopped.

I think Pepsi and Algy are twins, even their behaviour is identical, so I would say in this case myabe he is just saying, leave me alone, I don't want to be handled!

[Spuds Mum]

They do chatter and chunter when annoyed/cross or stressed. I'm sure that Pepsi is probably feeling all three at the moment bless him (males of any species usually aren't good patients are they? ) but, to be honest, I'd take it as a little bitof a hopeful sign - he has the energy to complain.
You can hold them by the scruff of the neck to pick them up - it wont hurt them, but to be honest - none of mine like it!
Vets I think do this to make sure that teeth and hands stay away from each other as much as possible!
The only time I do this is when checking my hamsters mouth/teeth or when sometimes you have to keep them totally still (medicines etc.) so don't feel too bad if this is what you have to do to give Pepsi his meds - you will be able to have lots of proper cuddles when he feels better!
Hang in there Pepsi - sounds like you are doing well!

[jayne]

Thanks for your messages.

Being annoyed/stressed sounds about right. He is so young looking and this is obviously a streddful time for him. He only seems to do it right after i've gave his medicine and cleaned him.
On the up side, he was running in his wheel for a good 30minutes last night, about 15minutes after he had his medicine Kept stopping and oooking over at me as if to say 'see, i'm fine! no need for medicine!!' Plus, i was really relieved to see him going for a drink at his bottle twice last night. He still isnt eating though, i have so far offered him apple puree, honey and oats and some of his food mix. He hasnt even bothered sniffing it or shwon any interest in it.

I have some baby courgettes, will these be ok to try and if so, raw or cooked?

[Spuds Mum]

The only thing I would worry about is if he has still got his diarrhoea to be honest with fresh foods having the higher water content.
mine love courgettes so I am sure they will be fine if you decide to give him some, either raw or cooked. (if he wasn't drinking I'd say cooked to get some more fluids in him, but as he is - raw may be better).
Is his tail end looking a bit less sore? Fingers crossed it is.
The other thing I would suggest (though I am no expert or vet) is maybe a little bit of a jar of human baby food? We do this for our little pups etc. and it goes down well.

[jayne]

Originally Posted by Spud's Mum

The only thing I would worry about is if he has still got his diarrhoea to be honest with fresh foods having the higher water content.
mine love courgettes so I am sure they will be fine if you decide to give him some, either raw or cooked. (if he wasn't drinking I'd say cooked to get some more fluids in him, but as he is - raw may be better).
Is his tail end looking a bit less sore? Fingers crossed it is.
The other thing I would suggest (though I am no expert or vet) is maybe a little bit of a jar of human baby food? We do this for our little pups etc. and it goes down well.

Yes, he still has diarrhoea. Having to clean him in the morning and at night after his medicine.
I wondered if it being cooked would be too watery, will put a bit of raw courgette in and see if he takes it. Hes just not taking any interest, hopefully though, like the drinking, he will come round and start eating again.
I'm also assuming that because hes not eating, hes not done any solid poos and its all been diarrhoea
His bedding isnt badly soiled and i'm removing the few bits that are. Other than the smell his cage is fairly clean!!

[Spuds Mum]

poor little lamb. Thank goodness he came home with you rather than someone who wouldnt have taken such great care of him!

[souffle]

He must be eating some food or else he would not have the energy to run Jayne so that is positive. The baby food is a good suggestion and maybe a little plain live yogurt might help. I hope he gets well soon.