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Original poster

Hamster falling over

32 replies

susue · 14/02/2009 14:14

In the last few days my hamster, Molly, has been quieter and wasn't bothered about going in her ball which she loves doing. Last night she was still quiet and a bit slow moving. Today she keeps falling over and losing her balance so I've moved her bed down on to the ground floor and taken the ladder away. She doesn't seem to be in pain and isn't making any unusual noises and so after a big cuddle she has gone back to her cage. So I need to know what's wrong with her. Do Hamsters have strokes like humans? Could it be a brain thing gone wrong or what? She's only about 18 months old and my hamsters usually live until they're 3 so I don't know if this is a symptom of old age as well. My others just got slow and bald and just slept more they didn't do this. Ta for any info

OP posts:
loopylou6 · 14/02/2009 16:04

i think it sounds like she has had a stroke only other non serious thing i can think of, is that she may be dehydrated?

LilyBolero · 14/02/2009 16:07

They sometimes go wobbly before they die I'm afraid. BUT try putting some BACH rescue remedy in her water - it can perk them up - and for one hamster I had it gave us another 5-6 months.

Original poster
susue · 14/02/2009 21:12

Thanks for your replies, I bought some bach remedy and my DH managed to give her some with water. She's still very wobbly and lethargic. I'll check on her later if she doesn't appear when she normally does, I hate this bit when it happens.

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 16/02/2009 17:56

ours have gpone wobbly sometimes, i took to vet and he said it could have been a stroke

they also can develop arithritus(sp) and can be wobbly

as long as they are eating and drinkin and coming out from their house/bedding then they are ok

only had 1 hammy make it to 3 - most have died 18ths to 24+months, so unfort Molly may be on her way out ((HUGS))

i would take her to your local vet and have her checked - normally costs about £12

BooBooChicken · 16/02/2009 20:36

my gerbil had the same and died the next day. sorry.

Pixel · 18/02/2009 16:07

Sorry to tell you, but my sister works at a vets and when people ring up to say they have a sick hamster and it's 'only 18 months old' her heart always sinks because she has to give them the bad news that it probably is on the way out. We had one that was 3 but apparently that was quite unusual so if yours normally reach that age you've done very well.

LilyBolero · 23/02/2009 11:02

How is Molly the hamster now?

Nabster · 23/02/2009 11:05

We had to have our hamster put down a few weeks ago so I feel your worry. I thought he was going to be okay as he wasn't making any noises. The vet said they stay quiet so as to not draw attention to themselves and make themselves vunerable. Hamsters normally have 18-24m. We had one who lived for 3 1/2 years but that is uncommon.

I hope she is okay.

Original poster
susue · 13/03/2009 18:31

Just an update on my hammy, Molly. We took her to the vets on the Monday the 16th and the vet said she'd had a stroke, so we moved toys etc out of the cage and left her bed down on the ground floor and kept it minimal so she wouldn't fall over things. To start with I had to feed her in her bed and take the water bottle to her to have a drink as she was weak and very wobbly and that lasted for about 2 weeks. Now she is much better, her head still hangs to the side a bit but she is alot steadier on her feet and now comes out for her dried and fresh food. I have to bath her sometimes as she can't clean herself as well as she used to but she seems happy and affectionate still and not in pain. The vet advised putting her to sleep but we wanted to give her a fighting chance and boy has she fought!

OP posts:
Blondeshavemorefun · 15/03/2009 16:04

poor molly, but sounds like she is on the mend now

as long as she isnt in pain and comes out for food and water, then sure she is fine

nicl · 07/05/2010 22:35

HI MY HAMSTER HANNAH MAY BE POORLY SHE HAS LOST LOADS OF WEIGHT ISNT POOPING ALOT AND TODAY BOTH HER EYES WERE SHUT SO I CLEANED THEM AND THEY ARE OPEN AGAIN BUT SHE KEEPS FALLING OVER DOES ANYONE KNOW ABOUT THIS STUFF

ThatVikRinA22 · 07/05/2010 22:38

take it to a vet

or

TAKE IT TO A VET

nicl · 07/05/2010 22:54

i go on holiday sunday and i cant afford the vet bills

ThatVikRinA22 · 07/05/2010 22:57

if you cant afford the very small fee it costs to see a hamster then maybe you shouldnt own one.

nicl · 07/05/2010 23:05

dont bother with your unhelpful replies you obviously know nothing about hamsters

ThatVikRinA22 · 07/05/2010 23:07

if its falling over it needs to see a vet you plank

we have had rather alot of hamsters. and gerbils, and guinea pigs and rabbits and rats.

i wouldnt have a pet that i couldnt afford to take to a vet it it was ill.

SlartyBartFast · 07/05/2010 23:13

ITS NOT VERY EXPENSIVE

ThatVikRinA22 · 07/05/2010 23:13

I SECOND THAT

Joolyjoolyjoo · 07/05/2010 23:17

I'm a vet, and it doesn't sound very good for Hannah, tbh We charge significantly less to see a hannie than we do to see a cat or dog, even though we spend the same time on both, as we recognise that people can't always afford to pay a lot for small furries. I really would take her to your vet, though. many are open Saturday mornings. Good luck

junglist1 · 08/05/2010 09:40

She needs to see a vet before you go away, definetely.

carlypan61 · 30/06/2010 21:19

I think it's a very bad example that we teach our children if you can't look after the wee things in life...I'm a single lone parent and have had my son's hamster at the vets twice now...albeit it was the PDSA but I still paid the price of the treatment involved...as for going on holiday who was going to look after the hamster whilst you were/are away...how would they feel if something happened to the hamster and it had to try to explain to you or your children what happened...shame on you...

Blondeshavemorefun · 13/07/2010 23:29

wonder what happened to hammy

did nici take to the vet

and yes if you have pets of ANY kind you must care for them properly and if poorly then see a vet

thinks ours charges £12 to see them then normally another £10 for antibs

Barney1988 · 26/10/2010 18:51

hi there, my hamster barney is about 1 and a half, he started walkign funny a few days ago and then day before yesterday started falling over and being very tired. best way to explain it is that he looks old and weak when he is walking, is struggling to get up and down his tubes and will just fall over while he is walking. i have taken him to the vets but sods law he just completely snapped out of it and she said he seemed fine but gave him some antibiotics and some anti inflamatry for his leg... but said there was not much wrong with him. i have just given hima little bit of bread soaked in milk as i saw it online that it may help if it is something to do wit his bones... he stops occasionally and starts breathing really fast and heavy. i dont know whats wrong with him... if he doesnt get any better in the next couple of ays i will take him back to the vet but she seemed pretty sure there was no problem, but he is not right in himself. i love him to pieces and will do anything to make him better. any advice?!!

Purpletastic · 26/05/2011 07:03

Milk may not help Barney as most rodents are lactose intolerant and it can give them diarrhoea. I would do as another poster did and remove any levels or toys that he may fall over. I would take him back to the vet and hope that this time he doesn't appear fine to them, you know your pet's behaviour better than they do and if you think something is wrong, then it probably is.

I'm making an appointment today to have our beautiful hammy girl Minstrel put to sleep, she's almost 2 and in the last week she has become very quiet, unsteady on her feet, her eyes have suddenly gone a bit gunky and her tummy is distended; she's scared because she can't see me when I try to comfort her with a cuddle, it's heartbreaking. It's definitely the end for her; as much as I love little furry pets I hate when it comes to this :-( My last little girl, a winter white Russian Dwarf, had to be put down for a distended tummy and losing control of her back legs, she was the lovliest little creature and so affectionate despite her species tendancy to be vicious. Our boy Syrian and our little Chinese girl are doing fine luckily.

ChRiStInA1986 · 31/08/2012 01:07

Hi guys i have a simular problem except my vet told me it was due to his teeth growing too big, so he clipped them down but he is still very frail and only around 4 months old. Falling and sometimes lets his legs droop behind him for a split second, his little hands also shake when he holds them up.... I havnt taken him back to the vet yet as it was only yesterday he went...i just want him better speedy :( How much BACH drops should be used in his water? Appreciate any ideas or info.christina

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