Hamster has become ill all of sudden. What could it be?

[DonnaRoll]

Hi. My male hamster is 20 months old and has suddenly become very ill. He was fine on Saturday and then on Sunday I noticed balding patches on his body (he is a long haired).

He has not eaten or drank since Sunday morning and has been asleep or hiding in his house since this time. The last time I saw him he was very wobbly on his feet and struggling to balance himself.

I have an appointment with the vet to have him put to sleep tomorrow (unless he dies before then) as I don't think he is going to regain health and he is getting quite old now.

I'm just wondering what could of happened to him between Saturday & Sunday to make him so ill so quickly?

[KRITIQ]

Oh Donna, really sorry to hear that. Hope you are okay and RIP little furry one.

[throckenholt]

Hamsters are prone to tumours - symptoms tend to come on very quickly (although probably there in the background for a while before you realise) and not usually anything you can do about it (IME). That is also a typical age for hamsters - 1.5-2 years is about average for ours.

[FernieB]

Sorry to hear that. Poor little thing. Lots of hugs for you.

[DonnaRoll]

Hi, thanks for replying. He was put to sleep today. Turns out he had a tumour in his stomach which had been there a while. Makes sense now why he became so ill so rapidly.

[FernieB]

Not very hamster savvy but small furries can go downhill very quickly. One minute they're fine and the next they're very sick. I don't think anything will have happened to him - maybe it's just his time. He's lucky to have such a doting owner giving him such attention. I hope everything goes well.