UN-expected ownership.. I need help.

[hitbystars]

A friend of mine just moved into an apartment a month ago.. she had a hamster in a 10 gallon glass tank.. a colorful tube, and a mason jar to sleep in. That was all.

Her sister owned this hamster previously before her family left the house & ran to Colorado.

Everything was basically left abandoned in that house, even the hamster, until my friend got her out.

She is a teddy bear hamster named Peanut.. red & white mix.

Her friend who is an aspiring groomer decided not to get Peanut because she was "too lazy to drive over there". So.. her loss, my gain. I had to.

When I gave Peanut fresh bedding, this green bedding she had was basically caked to the bottom.

She got her first wheel a few days ago and likes to stand OUTSIDE and spin it lol.

She is attached to corners and sleeps alot. Her teeth were WAY over grown and the only food she had was green rabbit pellets. Once I gave her some of my mice mix, I gave her a flower shaped wood block and she went crazy chewing on it.

Tonight I am switching her & my two mice's tanks around.. Peanut will get the 20 gallon, and two of my mice will get a 10 gallon... after much cleaning of course :rolleyes:

I have 4 mice, and two dogs.. I've never owned a hamster and I would like to know what to do for her health, weight, shyness/agression & so on.

My friend said she cannot stand other hamsters, but is alright with people.

I do not know how old she is either.

ANY advice is appreciated!!!!!!!!

[PetLuver21257]

I think what you are doing is fine! Good Job for taking her and giving her new bedding and a chew stick!

Make sure that she has regular hamster food soon, so go to a petshop and buy some! Good job, thanks for "saving" her!

[hitbystars]

BTW.. If anyone has a water bottle + water bottle hanger (for a tank) I'd be so happy to get it or buy it!

She came with a dirty little cup to drink water out of, and I just hate how anything can drop in there while I'm asleep.

[MouseyMari]

Kudos!! Good for you, you probably saved the ham's life!

If she is using her paws on the outside of the wheel, get her a bigger, solid one. Her feet probably aren't in great shape, either. I'd also get her some extra protein, like bread dipped in milk, since she probably hasn't been getting proper nutrients and such.

Word of warning- She might be really stressed out, so watch for wet tail. This is potentially fatal, so if she shows symptons, get her to the vet.

Congrats on your new additions!

[hitbystars]

I tried the mouse's wheel the night I got her.. and those are way too small.

I got her a 8 inch wheel and she enjoys it when she wants to use it.. she would just rather amuse herself on the outside hehe.

What exactly is wet tail?

[MouseyMari]

Wet tail can be a very fatal disease in mostly Syrian hamsters. The cause isn't exactly known but it appears to be a bacteria in the digestive system that causes excessive diahreha. This is usually brought on by stress. This leads to dehydration and death. I lost my beautiful Syrian hamster to that after having her for one week. I would recommend that you not vary the diet too much from what she was eating at the store. You can eventually do so gradually. Also let her get use to her surroundings the first week before handling her too much.

You may also want to get anti-wet tail tablets for her water supply. One of the symptons to watch for is inactivity, loss of interest in food, and especially bedding sticking to her bottom. If she is wet back there that is a sure sign of wet tail, and will need immediate vet attention.

By JustinQm

[hitbystars]

This is a recent picture I took of her..


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y113/pinkchrome/peanut/54874006.jpg

The others without flash aren't that great.

[hitbystars]

Here are pictures of when I got her.. and when I gave her a wood block.

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y113/pinkchrome/peanut/peanut1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y113/pinkchrome/peanut/peanut2.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y113/pinkchrome/peanut/peanut3.jpg
http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y113/pinkchrome/peanut/peanut4.jpg

[MouseyMari]

Freaking cute!!!! Peanut is a good name for her^^

[hitbystars]

She is so big! everyone thinks it is a baby gerbil haha.

She also has these long fur strands behind her ears.. could you know what it is?

[PetLuver21257]

Bad hair day? lol

Uhhh probably nothing to worry about, just some overgrown hair. Are you talking about the white stuff in the last picture you took of her? I am sure it's nothing!

[hitbystars]

I think it is.. Its long grey & white fur that is right behind her ears. I'm just wondering what significance it has to her/ the breed :)

[dwankrista]

she is gorgeous!!! congrats on becoming a new (and very responsible, might i add) hammy mom. she looks so much like dale, the teddy bear hammy i had as a kid. i would say the hair is just part of her being longer haired than some hamsters. she is quite adorable and it looks like you are taking wonderful care of her. it's so good to see someone get a hammy who knows what they're doing!

[hitbystars]

She isn't in the best shape right now.. but I'm trying to get her better.

I gave her apple & carrot pieces, and she got so happy. Moving them around, burying them, and eating them up :p

[PetLuver21257]

Oh, I don't know, it can't be a long hair... Well maybe part long hair? Yes, thanks for getting her!