Can someone give me advice about my hamster?

[sweetmommie]

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Hi I was wondering if someone could tell me What I should do. My kids hamster is getting pretty old, almost 4 yrs old. He hasnt been able to have a bowel movement, where he urinates from is all clogged up, his eyes are getting very crusted over, he is losing weight, sleeping all the time, and is not walking very well at all. When he walks he ends up falling over and sometimes goes right on his back and has a hard time rolling over if he doesent have any help. Do you think he could be dying, or maybe just sick. What should I do, if he is dying I hate to see him suffer like this. People say "Oh he is just a hamster" but to me he is a family pet and we love him. Any advice and insight will be greatly appreciated. Thanks again....Sweetmommie

[jennawing]

Sorry to say, I think Mr. Hammy is on his way out. Man, what a long life he's had, though! If you are really concerned, you could ask your vet if he knows of anything to improve his comfort level.

Basically, I would make sure he had plenty of bedding, as he will find it hard to regulate his body temperature with his metabolism slowed down; also be sure his bed and food and water are all easily accessible on a ground floor. I would leave his wheel, but if there are long tubes he's required to navigate- I'd try to rearrange things to make them easier.

You can try giving him some higher protien foods to increase his metabolic rate- also protien and iron foods may better his hair loss problems. You can try a drop of olive oil for the constipation, some pedialite in his water to keep him hydrated, some cranberry juice for the urinary tract health, and maybe some baby foods (check for no garlic, no onion powders) to help hydration and tempt him to eat- as older hamsters often have teeth problems.

I think you are very blessed to have him with you so long. no ammount of time is enough, though. :)

[jennawing]

oh yeah- here's a link about the crusty-eye- eyewash recipe

http://www.petwebsite.com/eye.htm

[sweetmommie]

Hi JennaWing........Thank you soooo much for your reply! I pretty much thought that he is on his way out but I have to say it still brought tears to my eyes reading it from someone else. I know we have been blessed with him for as long as we have but after 4 yrs of taking care of him and loving him it doesent make it any easier or comforting to know that before to long he will be gone. It just breaks my heart...a hamster or not....he has become a part of our family. Thank you again.

[jennawing]

I feel for you. It's not been long since we lost our first hamster, Cream Soda- that's her picture in my icon. It makes me cry every time someone loses a hamster- cause I know just what they're feeling. Spend as much time with him as you can now. He will need to know that you are okay with him letting go when the time comes. He will know how much you love him.

[sweetmommie]

Ya know Jenna.my hammy looks so much like your CreamSoda, it amazes me with the looks. He has plenty of bedding and I removed all but the wheel from his cage. I also wrapped him in a dish Towel to keep him warmer. I did try to feed him some peanut butter and a jar of baby food, but by no success was I able to get him to eat any. Also, sometimes he acts better than usual, except for his walking. Most times his skin color under his fur looks grey and then at other times his skin looks pinkish..why would this be??? Thank you again.

[jennawing]

I cannot say about the skin color. Blood circulation? Blood pressure? Maybe just from not being aboe to move around much.

You can try some scrambles eggs with cheese or a little plain cooked chicken. Hammies usually prefer fruity baby foods- like babies!- a fruit and cereal is best.

[KoolKat8905]

Good Luck :) :o

[sweetmommie]

Thank you KoolKat

[sweetmommie]

Ok well I just went to clean hammie's cage tonite as I usually clean his cage every 3-4 days, and he will not make his nest. Am I not changing and cleaning his bedding enough, could that be why he is getting ill?? If I am not cleaning it as often as I should, please tell me how often I should be cleaning and changing his bedding. Thank you

[Zouave]

Wow. I wish I had a hamster who lived almost four years. The oldest I ever had was a little over 2 1/2 years. His long life speaks well of your care and obvious love. :)

Cleaning the cage that much is a lot. No need for more cleaning.

If he won't drink, gentle eyedropper feedings with slightly warmed baby food (chicken and veggie) and water can help avoid dehydration. Sunken eyes are often the result of lack of moisture. But don't force any liquids down the throat as it could cause drowning.

I am afraid old age has come to your little guy. There may not be much to do. He has already outlived most hamsters. Keep him company and talk to him if you can. Mine seemed to like it as they passed. :(

Best to you both.

[Zouave]

I cannot say about the skin color. Blood circulation? Blood pressure? Maybe just from not being aboe to move around much.

You can try some scrambles eggs with cheese or a little plain cooked chicken. Hammies usually prefer fruity baby foods- like babies!- a fruit and cereal is best.

I gave mine that; they especially loved warm scrambled eggs with a little cheddar cheese.

[sweetmommie]

Thankyou very much for your kind words of advice. Yes I do my best to take care of all living as well as non-living things. Our Hammie is such a precious little man.he has always been very gentle and friendly.making it quite easy to become very attached to. I will continue to make him as comfortable as I can until he passes on, but today I will be taking him to the vet to see if there is anything more I can do for him. Have a great day......Thanks Again.

[sweetmommie]

Well, I took my Hammie to the Vet this morning@8:45, and the Vet says it is old age, but does not seem to be in any pain. I was asked if I wanted to make the decision to put him to sleep or take him home and let him pass on peacefully, so figuring because he is not in any pain, I did not want to put him to sleep. I felt that as long as we can keep him part of this family we will, if he still has a few more good days to share with us, then we are blessed. If by chance circumstances shall change and he turns for the worse showing signs of pain and discomfort , it will be then I decide to have him put to sleep. I would never allow him to suffer. Thanks to all for your kind words of advice and help. It is greatly appreciated. Also, Vet says that the grey skin color at times is Due to his temperature change.

[dee23]

awww i am sorry about your hamster , hes a lucky guy to have a great live with you and your family i can tell how much you love him . i had a hamster once he lived to 6 years old which is rare
now i have two hamsters which are about 2 and a half years old

[sweetmommie]

Wow Dee.that is wonderful to have a hammie live to be 6 yrs old, that also says that you did a GREAT job in taking care of him/her. I hope that your new hammies live a long life like your other hammie did! My hammie actually seems to be doing somewhat better today. I mean he is still sleeping quite a bit, but he has been going potty on his own,and walking a tad bit better, still very shaky when he walks, but not falling over as much. Like I said I will keep him home with us and love and comfort him until he is to tired to do this anymore.And if he shows signs of pain and discomfort I will have to put him to sleep so he does not suffer.That would Break my heart watching him suffer I think more than putting him to sleep peacefully.

[dee23]

thanks he was a great hamster i to hope my hamsters have a longer life eli nails get long so they have to be cut every 3 months apart from that hes in great health his brother ares has never been to the vets once . i am glad your baby is feeling a bit better give him a hug for me

[prophetdemise]

Good luck sweetmommie, i'm sure you are taking very good care of him, I just recently had two dogs pass away, one was unexpected and the other he put to sleep do to his suffering, either way it wasn't easy but the thought of knowing you gave them a good life and made them happy is all what helps make it a little better. Spoil him if you can, make sure he enjoys everything he does.

[sweetmommie]

Thank you prophetdemise!!!

[Zouave]

Maybe one morning you will wake up and he will not be breathing, having passed away in his sleep in peace. That happened to me a number of times with my hams.

Keep us posted, and best to you both.

[sweetmommie]

Oh God, I dont even want to think of that! I hope and pray that I can be there to say Goodbye to him and comfort him as he passes.I think it will devistate me, if he passes without me with him.I dont want him to die alone....OH Gosh, the mind is turning 90 miles a minute thinking of ways I can be there so he is not alone. I know it sounds crazy.but I love that little guy,and I want him to know that and feel that love as he passes on to rainbow Bridge.

[pearllady]

I feel for you. My first hamster Puggy lived for 4 years or so and its hard but like Chris said the knows you love him. I do have to say I'm ready to cry and its not even my little stuzzy (thats what I call hamsters).

[sweetmommie]

Thank you very much pearllady. If you would, could you please read my new post and tell me what you think...if this is the ned or what?? Thank you for any insight