Charlie's thread

[Pebbles82]

Thank you Boris Pasha, Hamsterit and Ruby. I'm still not quite sure how Charlie is doing. I lifted him out for a few minutes last night and he seems just the same, but popped him back straight away so as not to disturb him too much. He then did his rounds of his food and babyfood as he's always done. He is struggling on his back legs but keeps going. So he does come out sometimes if only for water. But I'm still going to make it easier by "scattering" some food in his house. I think he must come out for water but haven't seen him do so. I'm not sure what I'd do if he needed water nearer his nest - a dish I suppose. I'm already putting a dish of water out as well as his bottle. He eats a bit of porridge from a babyfood lid near his house but it's a bit awkward as it falls over (sloping hoard in there) and gets bits of substrate in it sometimes.

So Charlie seems to want to carry on as normal but his body isn't keeping up with his mind.

[Coco61]

Charlie is obviously trying to be himself. If water becomes an issue perhaps a little cucumber would help. Moving things closer to his house might have to be done sneakily, an inch or two at a time!

[Pebbles82]

I think so Coco. At the moment I'm doing both. I noticed he did his usual routine circuit checking for food last night. Checking the veg pot first, then the terracotta lid and wafer cup, then round the pot to the baby food then checked the hamster mix. But it is clearly difficult for him walking. I'm also putting a bit of baby food and hamster mix in his house and a treat, in case he is too tired one night.

It's very difficult as I am wondering how long he can go on and when I might need to think about helping him on his way.

[cypher]

It is difficult, apart from the problem with his legs he does seem to be happy enough to do things in his own way still & you are doing everything you can to make life as easy as possible for him, he must appreciate that even if it is a bit tricky to get things right sometimes.

I don't think there's an easy way to explain how you know if it is time to help them on their way but I'm sure you will know if he does need your help or it may be that he will know himself, that's hard to explain too (sorry) but sometimes it's as if they've just had enough & appear just that bit more tired but not suffering before passing quickly into their forever sleep.
I hope for both of you Charlie can continue to do his own thing comfortably for some more time yet.

[Piebald]

I'm not caught up with the thread but have you considered a bit of pain med? Difficult I know for such a small creature and maybe it's not time I just wonder if the legs are uncomfortable (I have a bad knee and it effects everything, including my mood). Keep singing xx

[Pebbles82]

Thank you Cypher and Piebald. The vet wouldn't give Metacam because she said it is contra-indicated with Cushings. I'm not so sure he actually has Cushings. So that did upset me a bit. I tried him with some herbs but he wasn't having it and I didn't want to put him off his food. If he had pain meds then yes it would be easier to feel I was helping him now - although I doubt I would get them down him! After the last experience. And I wouldn't want to stress him in his fragile state by squirting it in his mouth (he sussed out any foods that had it in last time).

He didn't come out for food last night - his veg was still there this morning - it seems to be every 2 or 3 nights he comes out for it. Mind you I did put a bit of veg in his house as well.

I put his porridge in one half of a baby food lid and his baby food in the other half this morning and looked in on him and put the lid in front of his nest door. His little nose came out and he used his teeth to pull the baby food lid closer and is nibbling from it now. So I think it's the walking that is the main problem. I've also put his little water dish inside the house now as well but he'd still need to come out of his nest to reach it. He does seem to be using his potty though, so I think he can reach the water dish as well. But will put a bit of cucumber out each day too just in case.

[Hamsterita]

Poor Charlie It must be really difficult for you both

[Pebbles82]

Thank you Hamsterita. He still seems to have the motivation to eat (added to my post just now) but getting about is the problem mainly.

[Pebbles82]

He ate all the baby food and some of the porridge. So moved the lid back near the nest door again or he'd be banging to get it taken away again As after he's pulled it in his nest it blocks him from getting out. So that seems to be the way to go right now - put plenty of food near his house (I scattered HH and broken up Science Selective last night, and still put food out in the main cage in case he comes out. Plus the water dish inside his house and the bottle outside the house.

It is a bit like he has taken to his bed mostly but is still keen on eating.

[Drago]

I'm so sorry serendipity! I must say, I've been looking at this thread and I have fallen in love with little Charlie. I hope he keeps holding on for you, but he's a little fighter and it's good to hear he's still loving his food