3 1/2 year old Syrian hamster

[Lvil]

Hamster of a teen girl has been a lovely pet but is 3 years old now and really need help or advice but can't find anywhere. Tried logging onto hamster forum but nothing will let me on anyone here have any help? He's suddenly slowed down over the last 3 months and today went to clean him out and he just would not move. Breathing okay, has some scabs on scent glands and also a little seemingly empty soft sac on chest, like loose skin not sure if it's the start of a tumor. He's a rescue hamster and very stressy so because of age don't want to take him to the vets really. I've sat with him for a couple hours and he just slept on me but he's now back in his bed with a hat containing some warm pieces of cloth to try and prevent him getting cold. He won't drink but have managed to make him eat some peanut. So so grateful for any help he really means alot to all of us and we accept we might just be reaching the end of our borrowed time with him :( x

@Lvil Hi op it sounds like he might be reaching the end of his life ours behaved like this before she passed . You are doing everything you can we just kept ours warm and comfortable til she passed away x

Bless. Could be an infection. You'd need antibiotics, but it sounds like he's quite far gone.

Yes ours was like this a few weeks ago. First found him curled up asleep in a strange place, not where he usually slept.

After that he just shuffled off to different places and slept a lot, I kept an eye on him and over 2 days his breathing just got shallower until he passed away in his bed.

I didn't handle him when he was obviously struggling so as not to stress him
out.

3 1/2 years is amazing for a hamster. Keep him comfortable.

He can go to the vet in his bed and cage and they will handle him gently and minimally. Sounds like he's possibly suffering, which would be unfair on him.

That’s a good age for a hammy so he’s obviously been well cared for. Not eating, staying still can be signs that they are in the last stages of life.
Keep him warm and safe in his own space overnight.

It sounds to me you are doing what you can. Poor little soul, I had to give up hamsters in the end, it's hard to take them dying on you every few years.
You might get more knowledgeable people in the small furries part of the site:
small pets

Our 3 year old Syrian hamster died about a year ago. He slowed down over about 6 weeks but was still pottering about although he suddenly looked older. Then over a few days he stopped bothering hiding nice bits of food away. Eventually he went into his nest and didn't come back out. We left him for a few days and then wrapped him up in his favourite bedding and buried him in the garden. I was the most weepy. I think if he's not in pain I'd leave him be. Our previous hamster had to be put down after she became distressed with her breathing fairly suddenly. Hope he has an easy end. They're a big part of the family for a small animal.