Syrian Hamster

[Applejack87]

Hi , our little hamster is 18 months we’ve had him since he was 6 weeks
He was perfectly fine until last weekend when I found him laying on the bottom of his cage not himself atall , went to the vet he was dyhydrated so she treated him with glucose this didn’t perk him up , she said he might have had a stroke 😢. We took him home & have been giving him fluids through a syringe his water bottle is in the cage but hard to monitor he’s peeing in his sand though.. He’s eating well but not himself he’s aged overnight I’ve removed his ladders as we’re concerned he’ll fall off , he seems to be a bit better as he’s now sleeping in his house last weekend he was dragging himself around the cage . He’s making a clicking noise would anyone know why this is please ?

Sounds like a respiratory infection to me. Can you ask the vet for antibiotics? One of mine had it and they prescribed him baytril. He recovered but died a few months later, I think the extended illness weakened him. Try putting a hot water bottle under his cage on one side so he has a warm spot.

Thankyou for your reply & advice , is there anything I can give him the vet is closed until Monday , I have just googled respiratory infection & thyme was mentioned to relieve symptoms is this safe ?

Not for hamsters I don't think. Do you have baby food like the cow and gate ones, in jars? Do you have a Sunday dinner one or anything really that doesn't have onion in? If you do then feed him some of that. Most hamsters can't resist it, it's all mine would eat when he was sick. It's easy to digest and can be licked off your finger or a spoon.

Cuddle him when he is awake, like tiny babies, your body heat helps them regulate theirs.

Make sure his bottle works and keep getting fluids into him. Well fuelled, his own immune system may rally but definitely go to vet on Monday.

Are his teeth ok? Not overgrown? Gently scruff him and pull his cheeks back to see. He'll not like it but worth checking. All you can really do is keep him warm, fed and hydrated and make sure his bed is clean as he may be soiling it, being so ill. Until vets opens there isn't much else you can do for him.

Thankyou , I don’t think he’s well atall he hasn’t touched his food today he usually comes out of his house for a snack
I’m convinced he’s had a stroke 😢😢
I will keep him warm & hydrated dread taking him to the vet

Toffee was at the vet this morning & diagnosed with a respiratory infection the vet said hopefully he’ll pull through but at 18 months he’s getting on tbh we thought it was the end of him last weekend but he’s still with us , thanks for your kind advice

He was prescribed Enrocare I’m just wondering if it’s as good as Baytril ?

It's the same thing

Thanks again you’ve been so helpful it’s greatly appreciated , we’re praying that he starts to get better , it’s so sad seeing him sick 🐹🐹

Yeah it's just a brand name. Same stuff. They can live up to 5 years, 2 of mine nearly made 5. Is he taking it ok? If not you might have to do the scruff and squirt into the cheek manoeuvre. Or put it on a yoghurt drop to disguise the taste. Really hope he pulls through

Sadly our boy deteriorated early hours this morning he looked like he was having a violent fit in his cage and screeching very distressing to see . I wrapped him in a towel and held him he seemed to settle then fit and screech again . He wasn’t like this yesterday I don’t know if he had a reaction to the antibiotic the vet doesn’t agree
I had to take the heart breaking decision to have him put to sleep by the time I got to the vet his whole body was coming to an end it was heart breaking 😢😩

Sorry to hear this. You've taken care of him so well