Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Small pets

Mumsnet does not check the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you're worried about the health of your pet, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

I need advice about my hamster

53 replies

1wokeuplikethis · 23/04/2019 21:17

In less than 2 weeks our hamster has gone bony, thin hair, doddery. Does this normally happen so quickly?

Also he hasn’t eaten anything since Saturday but is still managing to drink a bit. He is very slow and isn’t really opening his eyes. Ive been checking him several times a day expecting the worst but he’s still hanging in there. He was sleeping in his tube thing round the outside of his cage which is totally abnormal behaviour but shifted himself back into his house when I talked to him.

Meanwhile, he has some black mush on his belly. It’s not wet tail as there’s no diahorrea round his cage. We think it’s some carrot that’s gone mouldy and stuck to his fur. Obviously it’s hindering his mobility. We tried to get it off him but it’s really matted in his fur. We don’t handle him very much so I don’t want to stress him out by picking him up so much and I think pulling this goop off will hurt him and he doesn’t need that. We can’t afford to get him to the vet.

I just feel so bad for the little soul. He is roughly 2 years old, Syrian, so I think that’s close to the expected life span (shop bought) but is it normal for them to go from normal active to like this so quickly?

What we think is carrot, it’s blacky/orange and sticky.

Any help much appreciated. I feel very sad.

OP posts:
Bacardi101 · 23/04/2019 21:21

Can you take him to an emergency vets tonight OP? He doesn’t sound in a good way at all x

boilersontheblink · 23/04/2019 21:21

Oh no :( I have a hamster and love her to bits.

Yes small animals can deteriorate very quickly unfortunately, can you not get him to an emergency vets as it's probably kindest to have him put to sleep or they may be able to give him medicine/fluids and sort his fur out?

ThomasRichard · 23/04/2019 21:30

You need to take him to the vet. I know you say you can’t afford it but that’s part of being a pet owner. Put it on a credit card, borrow the money from someone or ask the vet about finance options. If he hasn’t died yet it sounds like he’s miserably ill and should probably be PTS.

Sorry Flowers

Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 23/04/2019 21:31

It’s very sad to see him like this. He’s my 6yo DD’s and she is going to be heartbroken.

Unfortunately we simply can’t take him to the vets. We can’t afford it. And I also worry that the stress of it would just make everything worse for him. He’s never been to one, not been in the car, not been put in a box, it would all be very alien to him.

I thought about perhaps tomorrow removing his run tunnel as that is how he gets to his food/drink, and removing the top level do it’s all on the bottom for him with the least effort but then I’m worried that moving everything about will confuse him more. I need to think about it a bit more, if he is still there in the morning Sad

OP posts:
restingbitchfarce · 23/04/2019 21:36

OP this is not meant in a nasty way but please do not get anymore pets unless you can afford vet treatment.

Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 23/04/2019 21:36

I feel very guilty.

We will not be getting another hamster after this.

OP posts:
Tulipvase · 23/04/2019 21:43

Does the hamster feel cold? We had one that took a sudden down turn and I put a hot water bottle under the tank and it revived!

Apart from the possible mouldy carrot, it all sounds fairly run of the mill for an elderly hamster.

Bananarama12 · 23/04/2019 21:43

Any vets should administer emergency treatment for an animal, whether that be a pts or pain relief, regardless of money. Give your local vets a ring. You shouldn't let him suffer.

Bonkersblond · 23/04/2019 21:43

Poor little thing, I did take our last one to the vet as couldn't bear to see him suffer, cost £10 to PTS, although I know vets fees can vary, maybe give the vet a ring, the chances are they won't be able to do anything for him, and they can quote you, I don't suppose you have a PDSA near you, they might be cheaper.

Bananarama12 · 23/04/2019 21:44

It's is very cheap for a hamster pts.

Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 23/04/2019 21:48

I’ll phone in the morning. I’ll have my 3 year old with me though, I’m not happy about him seeing it happen.

What can I use to take hammie in the car?

OP posts:
Veterinari · 23/04/2019 21:53

Unfortunately we simply can’t take him to the vets. We can’t afford it. And I also worry that the stress of it would just make everything worse for him.

I don’t want to sound harsh but then you shouldn’t have got a pet. You have a legal duty of care to provide him with veterinary care. Taking him to the vets would not make things worse - he’s not eaten for 4 days and is barely moving - things can’t really get much worse for him!

If you really won’t treat him, then offer him some of his favourite foods - some fruits or veggies that he likes - he’ll be hypoglycaemic and dehydrated if he’s not eaten for 4 days and isn’t drinking much. Keep him warm and quiet. You’re basically just waiting for him to die....

Bonkersblond · 23/04/2019 21:54

Can you not put his cage in the car? Pop a blanket over it.

terftastic1984 · 23/04/2019 21:56

Flowers At 2 years old I’m afraid it sounds like the end of his days - this is a good age for a hamster.

Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 23/04/2019 22:01

Yes cage is a good idea.

I’m really upset. I feel guilty, I feel responsible. I felt helpless about watching him wither away which is why I posted here asking for advice. I have received great advice and I’m thankful, nice food in his cage is a lovely idea.

OP posts:
restingbitchfarce · 23/04/2019 22:02

You won't be allowed to witness them putting a hamster to sleep so don't worry about your youngest

Because they are so small they give them gas to make them sleepy before injecting straight into the heart to stop it, hence why you can't witness the act

To last 2 years you've done very well. Hamsters are such fragile creatures and can die at just months old, so we found out several times over so moved from Syrian to more robust Russian ones

OytheBumbler · 23/04/2019 22:12

Going against the grain but sometimes taking them to the vet isn't the best for them. It really stresses them out. I've taken older hamsters to the vet and they've become really agitated.

2 years is the average lifespan for a hamster and yours sounds like it's nearing the end. Obviously if you think it's something else other than old age then definitely take him.

If not then it's important to just make everything as easy as possible for him and keep him warm.

Veterinari · 23/04/2019 22:30

Going against the grain but sometimes taking them to the vet isn't the best for them. It really stresses them out. I've taken older hamsters to the vet and they've become really agitated

So a few minutes of agitation is worse than 4 days of anorexia, dehydration and multiple organ failure....
Really?

3luckystars · 23/04/2019 22:46

Our hamster was staggering around, shaking and I thought it was dead when I checked on him, he just laid there and had stopped moving. Anyways, I was just thinking he was dying of old age so I read up about hamsters dying and what to expect.
It said it could be cold or dehydrated, so I got a syringe of 7 up and squirted a tiny bit into his mouth and gave him a small hot water bottle.

He came around and is still going strong a few months on. He went from almost dead to swinging off the top off the cage by his teeth. I'd recommend trying to hydrate him and heating him for tonight and see how it is in the morning.

englishdictionary · 23/04/2019 22:55

Unfortunately we simply can’t take him to the vets. We can’t afford it.

Take him to the vet. They will not refuse to treat him and you can pay after. You have to do what's right for the pet, not for your bank balance. Please don't have him suffer.

Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 24/04/2019 09:38

I put a tiny slice of cucumber in his house last night and he took it straight away, which was a great sign. Soon after, he was digging about in his food bowl which he hasn’t done since Saturday so we are feeling quite relieved.

Apparently you shouldn’t bathe hamsters but I think we need to, to try and get the mush off his belly. We will do that tonight when we’ve finished work and just see how he goes.

Meanwhile the vet has quoted £22 to have him PTS so at least I know now if we need to go down that route.

Thanks for all your advice.

OP posts:
3luckystars · 24/04/2019 09:40

Have you any baby wipes, they strip crayons from walls and they might be easier than putting him in the bath.

Eloisedublin123 · 24/04/2019 17:00

Op I will pay the vet direct for the PTS if necessary. Message me direct if I can help. I will transfer money direct to vet if so, if this helps (and if it comes to it)
I’m in Ireland so may be a delay in transfer though

Ffsnosexallowed · 24/04/2019 17:02

Take him to the vet!

Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 24/04/2019 17:13

That’s a very kind offer Eloise which I couldn’t possibly accept. But thank you. I am responsible for him and I can afford £20 to have him PTS, just not hundreds to have him treated/consultant fee etc.

He wobbled out of his house this afternoon to wee in his corner. He is still very very doddery. I am not sure that a bath to get the mush off his belly is wise as that will absolutely stress him out. I think maybe the only option we have is the vet. But he is eating/drinking, he isn’t suffering any more that the eye can see. Apart from the goop.

OP posts: