Hamster 911!

[psalm145nkj]

My panda bear hamster is dehydrated and has not been eating. What can I do?! She is very lethargic and has only taken a little water (by "force") and a tiny bit of apple. She is wobbling all over when she tries to walk. HELP!:eek:

[pixibubbles]

little bit of suger and slat in water. feed with syringe and get to vet as emergency appointment if needed.

Worry less about lack of eating and more about dehydration... it will kill her first. she really needs a vet. you dont give us much info. how old is ham? how long has this been going on? are there any other symptons? where does she ilve? what bedding do you use etc.

it could be an infection, a injury to the mouth, impacted pouch or tooth problem or a dozen other things.

Baby food is good as not require chewing, and prridge / oats with water will give energy and build up but your hammie really needs a vet as soon as you can get to one, all water and oats will do is sustain... not cure.

hope you go ok x

[psalm145nkj]

little bit of suger and slat in water. feed with syringe
I will do that right now

and get to vet as emergency appointment if needed.
:yes: working on that as I type

Worry less about lack of eating and more about dehydration... it will kill her first. she really needs a vet.
our vet opens in 30 minutes

you dont give us much info. how old is ham?
we have only had her a few months

how long has this been going on? i am not sure, we were out of town for a few days but she had a good supply of food and water

are there any other symptons? where does she ilve? her house is a modified clear storage bin,she chewed through 3 super pet cages so we had to switch to this, I found the plan on the web

what bedding do you use etc. aspen shavings and that cottony stuff (I forget the name) from the pet store

it could be an infection, a injury to the mouth, impacted pouch or tooth problem or a dozen other things. that's what has me worried, just not knowing

Baby food is good as not require chewing, and prridge / oats with water will give energy and build up but your hammie really needs a vet as soon as you can get to one, all water and oats will do is sustain... not cure. ok, I am off to the store for baby food, eye droppers and pedialyte!

hope you go ok x THANKS a TON

[Chaos]

That cotton stuff is extremely dangerous. I sure hope she didn't swallow it, but her symptoms could point to that. I hope its not though, good luck at the vet.

[psalm145nkj]

That cotton stuff is extremely dangerous. I sure hope she didn't swallow it, but her symptoms could point to that. I hope its not though, good luck at the vet.


It's actually paper but it's softer than the aspen. That's what I meant not that it was actual cotton stuffing. I can't find the bag to tell you the name...

[psalm145nkj]

The Cotton Stuff is called CareFresh (I looked it up online).

So far she is showing megar improvement with the sugar/salt/water solution. I am giving it to her every 20 miutes in a dropper. She sleeps in between. We have her loosely wrapped in a washcloth and I turned up the heater in the house. She did take a TINY bit of apple and crawled over to the food earlier, but she fell asleep and did not eat anything. She is so weak.

After waiting half the morning I found out that our vet does not see small animals so we are out of luck there. I can't afford the $100 (plus) for a visit to the only local small animal vet. So we will keep up with the S-S-W solution and pray for the best.

I am going out to get the baby food and pedialyte in a bit.

[pixibubbles]

carefresh is great for hammies. but she really does need a vet. are there subsidised charity ones you can get to?

cooked egg is good for poorly hams... and if you have pedialyte dont worry about the S-S-W solution.

Some vets will allow you to make a payment plan over a few weeks. could you aford 20 dollars a week for few weeks? most vets will allow it... they are animal lovers after all. try again. and keep trying. if you need to beg borrow and blackmail for a lift do it. ask your vet what he recommends. who he reccommends. if he would reconsider seeing her. a vet reading from a text book is better than no vet. even if all he does is prescribe antibiotics and re hydrate.

Is hamster dirty around her bum? at a few months old wet tail is a big likly hood for syrians.

[Punkygirl0101]

I think they pointed it out for you! I just wanted to mention to you there is no such thing as a "Panda Bear" hamster..you have yourself a Syrian hamster. Pet stores make up those names to try and sell hamsters easier. "Teddy Bears" are longhaired Syrians, "black bers" are black Syrians, and "Panda bears" are black banded Syrians..

[psalm145nkj]

carefresh is great for hammies. but she really does need a vet. are there subsidised charity ones you can get to? I have tried them all, there is only one local one that "does" small animals everyone else seems to think it's a waste of time and money :mad:

cooked egg is good for poorly hams...and if you have pedialyte dont worry about the S-S-W solution. I am working on getting her hydrated with that and will get the pther tomight and plan on trying eggs when she is more alert

Some vets will allow you to make a payment plan over a few weeks. could you aford 20 dollars a week for few weeks? most vets will allow it... they are animal lovers after all. try again. and keep trying. if you need to beg borrow and blackmail for a lift do it. ask your vet what he recommends. who he reccommends. if he would reconsider seeing her. a vet reading from a text book is better than no vet. even if all he does is prescribe antibiotics and re hydrate. I tried that too

Is hamster dirty around her bum? at a few months old wet tail is a big likly hood for syrians. No she is not dirty, I really think she got dehydrated, although I don't know why, her water bottle is huge and had water in it, she was up and running on her wheel 2 days ago

On the bright side she is taking the water solution very well. She got up and walked (not quite so wobbly) over to her food and had a nibble at some, as I said I plan to get the pedialyte and baby food tonight, my problem is when I can get to the store. I am happy to see her omproving and will stay up all night if I have to

[psalm145nkj]

I think they pointed it out for you! I just wanted to mention to you there is no such thing as a "Panda Bear" hamster..you have yourself a Syrian hamster. Pet stores make up those names to try and sell hamsters easier. "Teddy Bears" are longhaired Syrians, "black bers" are black Syrians, and "Panda bears" are black banded Syrians..

Yeah, I know but when I posted I couldn't remember how to spell it, on top of Domino being sick I am pregnant and forgetting EVERYTHING! :eek: I am usually much more on top of things and fighting guilt over letting her get sick is wearing me out! I have 3 kids and a husband who are all looking at me to do the Florence Nightengale thing and fix her! I really hope she pulls through, she is our 2nd hamster and I don't want to lose her. The other one just died in his sleep, We'd only had him 4 months. It crushed my kids. I can not do that again.

[jackie158]

The Cotton Stuff is called CareFresh (I looked it up online).

So far she is showing megar improvement with the sugar/salt/water solution. I am giving it to her every 20 miutes in a dropper. She sleeps in between. We have her loosely wrapped in a washcloth and I turned up the heater in the house. She did take a TINY bit of apple and crawled over to the food earlier, but she fell asleep and did not eat anything. She is so weak.

After waiting half the morning I found out that our vet does not see small animals so we are out of luck there. I can't afford the $100 (plus) for a visit to the only local small animal vet. So we will keep up with the S-S-W solution and pray for the best.

I am going out to get the baby food and pedialyte in a bit.

If you cannot afford the vets....you should have never of bought the pet. I spend over 400.00 on my hamster when he had an infection and he ended up dieing.

[pixibubbles]

this might me a stupid question... but is the water bottle working? they CAN jam. i've seen care fresh block them before.... so i usually tap mine to make sure its working everyday.
to chekc if dehydration is the issue gently pull the skin up on her back... if it snaps back into place not dehydrated. if it goes back slowly is def dehydration. the problem is the cause if not treated could cause other problems.

give her the egg anyway. just hard boil a couple and keep in fridge wrapped up. yolk is best but some hammies not like it as much as the white. let her eat what she'll take.

keep us informed and keep her warm. it might be worth trying to find breeder... ask pet shops etc one might give you some help / advice / be able to reccomend better vet who not rip you off.

[CookieDough24]

That's exactly what I was thinking, maybe the water bottle isn't working. Also do the dehydration test, it will tell you the best thing to do for her. Best of luck!

[pixibubbles]

WELL!?! hows panda hammie doing?

[flowerluver101]

ohh know that is so sad I used to have a panda bear hamster he died here are some tips
TAKE TO THE VET!!!
GRAB HIM AND TRY TO GIVE HIM WATER
AND HE'LL IT FOOD

[tvrodents]

As punky pointed out there really is no such thing as a panda hamster... Its a black banded...

If you cannot afford the vets....you should have never of bought the pet. I spend over 400.00 on my hamster when he had an infection and he ended up dieing.

I know that this is the pets hub motto but I'm getting sick of hearing how much money every one can afford to spend on their pets. I have a vet fund... its called my savings... and I would use it if I needed to but to constantly hear people boasting about how many hundred of pounds/dollars they have spend on their pet is very demeaning to those who are low on cash. I know that you all mean well and are proud of yourselves for being able to pay for the vet fees but please remember that you are actually hurting people every single time you say it.

Kat

[jackie158]

As punky pointed out there really is no such thing as a panda hamster... Its a black banded...



I know that this is the pets hub motto but I'm getting sick of hearing how much money every one can afford to spend on their pets. I have a vet fund... its called my savings... and I would use it if I needed to but to constantly hear people boasting about how many hundred of pounds/dollars they have spend on their pet is very demeaning to those who are low on cash. I know that you all mean well and are proud of yourselves for being able to pay for the vet fees but please remember that you are actually hurting people every single time you say it.

Kat

AWWW...well that is just too bad! If you can not stand Pets Hub motto, you do not have to stay or read posts. The hamster should have been taken to the vets. No question asked! How would you like it if you were sick and no one took you to the doctors? Exactly! Please, if you cant stand to read my post dont read them.

[tvrodents]

Why have you just tried to start an argument becuase you dont agree with me?

I'm getting sick of hearing how much money every one can afford to spend on their pets.

If you had read it properly you would see that THIS is whats annoying me. Not you or any one else. just the show off attitude that some of you have about how much money you spent on your pets. And actually, yes I do know what it feels like to be denied treatment because it cannot be afforded and you have to wait for months and month on the NHS.
To the OP... how is the hamster doing?

Kat

[jackie158]

Why have you just tried to start an argument becuase you dont agree with me?



If you had read it properly you would see that THIS is whats annoying me. Not you or any one else. just the show off attitude that some of you have about how much money you spent on your pets. And actually, yes I do know what it feels like to be denied treatment because it cannot be afforded and you have to wait for months and month on the NHS.
To the OP... how is the hamster doing?

Kat

You are the one starting the argument. I do believe in both post you said I was showing off how much I spent on my hamster. Not even the case. I was saying how much I spent on my hamster in care.....not showing off.....but again....if you do not like this motto of Pets Hub...you do not have to stay. Please read your post...you started it!

[jackie158]

Oh....and ty....did you start this fight because you hate me for disagreeing with you in the guinea pig forum?

[Orbett]

If you two want to fight, go take it somewhere else. And Frankly, I agree with tvrodents, just because some people are low on cash and can't afford a vet visit doesn't give you bragging rights because you can Spike.

[jackie158]

If you two want to fight, go take it somewhere else. And Frankly, I agree with tvrodents, just because some people are low on cash and can't afford a vet visit doesn't give you bragging rights because you can Spike.


First of all....if you read my post...I was talking about my hamster. NOT MY GUINEA PIG! Spike is a guinea pig! Anyway, I spent 400.00 on hamster care cost. If you cannot afford cost like this...then you have no right owning an animal. PERIOD! If you cannot even afford to take your animal to the vets...you do not deserve to own the animal.

[PetLuver21257]

I really don't exactly agree with that "motto."

It's not that you don't deserve to own an animal, it's just that one should be financially stable before getting a pet. As long as they are trying everything they can to help the animal (also by saving up money), I honestly don't care if they have money or not.

I just don't like people who, well, not necessarily brag, but tell people with less money about how much money they spend on their animal. It REALLY does not help the situation at all.

I hope your hammie gets better! I admire how you take PetsHub's advice and are really trying to get her well again. Good luck! :)

[jackie158]

The point is, I am not bragging. What I am trying to say is that I am willing to spend 400.00 on a hamster and take the chance.....which he ended up dieing. I have car insurance, taxes, credit cards...and what not.....so I know what it is like to have bills.....my point is....a vet visit would have been nice. My vet finances people. She also works with them. You have to call around to see who will work with you. Some vets are willing to do that! This person should have at least taken there hampster into the vets!

[PooingCavy]

I think yall who are fighting jackie are STUPIED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If the person cant afford to have a VET THEY CANT AFFORD THE PET!

Infact, If who ever it is is sooo poor, they shouldnt HAVE A PET!

Dammit, There are some people stuck in poverty, of something that may have happened that they couldnt cause, btu they themselves are the reason why they are stuck in poverty!

They go on complaining how they need food stamps and such, but then you find out alot of their money was spent on their pets!

They should take care of themselves before they even CONSIDER pets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You all are losers, taking the sympathetic side! Its true. You all need to move on and realize that the person shouldnt of gotten the hammie int he FIRST PLACE!

[PetLuver21257]

Damn, now THAT was rude!

How dare you! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE DEAL IS!

My GOD!
They go on complaining how they need food stamps and such, but then you find out alot of their money was spent on their pets!

THAT SHOWS THAT THEY TAKE CARE OF THEIR ANIMALS! (?!?!?)

[Punkygirl0101]

Pooing, you don't even have a hamster, and probably never have..and now you are arguing with people for no reason.

I don't even see how this argument was starting. Jackie stated that she has spent money on her hamster, and TVR just said she doesn't like when people talk about how much money people can spend..she never said animals shouldn't be taken to the vet. Its her opinion. I personally have spent lots of money on my pets, and I am not bragging because we have a LOT of pets to pay for! For my rodents most of the time, i treat them in my home and don't even take them to the vet unless its an emergency that meds made at home can't take care of.

Not everyone is financially stable, but most people who love their pets find a way to pay for important things! I know a homeless man who hangs out at a park down the street from my house, who has a dog.. the dog was an abandoned stray who adopted him..and though he can't take the dog to the vet since he literally has no money, he takes care of the dog. They keep each other warm, and are companions. We even give them money and dog food when we see them.

He loves his dog more than a lot of people I know who are very wealthy.

[PooingCavy]

There are exceptions, like yours friends Punky, but its different. Its these people who DONT try to enjoy themselves, but they go bumming out to OTHERS, instead of trying to... oh god, i cant even explain. It jsut makes me mad how people who dont have to money consider a pet and complain about vet bills when theyu never thought of the factors

[Punkygirl0101]

I know what you mean, and what you are trying to say. People shouldn't purposely go out and get a pet that they know they can't take care of, or pay for. The homeless dog found the homeless man..but there are a lot of people who don't have a lot of money and know they wouldn't be able to pay for vet bills, but actually go out and buy a pet anyway. Is that what you were trying to say?

[jackie158]

Good way of putting it Punky. And just for the record here....there are many other things that I would have loved to spent my money on....and not in vet care.....but lets face it.....my guinea pigs come first...they are my children.....they act like children.....and I love them too much to let them go without a fight.

[jackie158]

Oh and just for the record....I have not put allot of money yet into my pigs for vet care.....it was only my hamster when he got sick. He ended up dieing and it broke my heart. But I was willing to spend whatever I had to help this little fellow. RIP Buddy.

The only money I really have put out for my piggies besides food every month...is check up care from the vets.....

[pixibubbles]

i do agree. in most circumstances (punky's friend being the exception) when you take on a pet you have to take on the health resaponsibilities too, and find the money.

When i was a student i spent about £250 sterling helping a rescue hamster (not one i had bought) recover from pneumonia and a hernia. And out here the student loan / grant doesnt even cover your rent. i lived on baked beans and rice and pasta (supermarket own brand of course lol) for a month, (putting on half a stone in the process) got a THIRD job and sat outside the surgery in wait and persuded the vet to let me set up finance.

i'm lucky that i'm in the situation that i don't have any family dpending on me for money... but i've never yet hesitate to hand over the plastic, and i don't think i ever will. if i get to the point where i think... maybe i can't afford it... i will stop keeping hammies.

i know how it feels to be left ill and waioting for treatment... the NHS sucks sometimes.. i really wouldn't put one of my babies through that for the sake of a few quid... they mean too much to me. i would seriously be insane without them.

[tvrodents]

Oh....and ty....did you start this fight because you hate me for disagreeing with you in the guinea pig forum?
I though we had all agreed to disagree on that?

That aside, Pooing cavy you were very rude but I think I can see what point you were making. If you KNOW that you cannot afford/are not interested in taking an animal to the vets if it needs it then no, you shouldn't have one. I personally would never deny an animal treatment and like punkygirl I always have a supply of medication for my animals.
I'm not entirely sure why this turned into a row, i personally didnt intend it to and appologise if I caused offence. I was just saying that its hurtful when people are saying how much they spent on an animal. it belittles those with less money. I am sorry for saying that you were all bragging, I'm sure you're not but sometimes it comes across a little like you are.
Live and let live?

Kat

[jackie158]

It's ok TV. And yes, I agreee it was a misunderstanding. I am sorry if I was a little rude.

[PooingCavy]

im bringing sexyback WHOOP!

[tvrodents]

?????
Meh?