Hamster help! ASAP

Bambii_

I have a Russian Dwarf, Google, and she is just gone a year old. I noticed she wasn't responding as she usually does. Usually when I call her she runs out of her house and to the side of the cage. But today she didn't. I tried to pry her out of her house with hamster treats and food but she wouldn't come out. I opened the house and she was curled up sleeping. I petted her a little and she didn't react. This got be worrying, shes territorial and whenever I try pet her in her house she would become aggressive and try bite me. But not this time. She moved a little and dug around but was quite calm. I heard her making a crying noise. I picked her up out of her house and listened carefully, it was definitely a crying noise. Usually she'll run around my hand but she just stayed still. I thought maybe she hurt her leg somehow but when I put her back in her cage she seemed to be walking okay, but she walked straight back to her house. Now she's lying with her head at the entrance of the house (also unusual, she always goes right to the back and curls up) and its like she has the hee-cups as in she has a bounce in her breathing. I'm pretty sure she is in pain. Sorry for the length, I didn't want to leave anything out. Does anyone know what is/could be wrong with her? I'm really worried about her! Also, does anyone know of any vets in the south dublin/Clondalkin/Tallaght area that will deal with dwarf hamsters.

Vojera

She sounds like she needs a vet right away. The only place I know that would be open is the DAEC based in the veterinary hospital at UCD (ph 1890 564 036), but if you're not registered with one of their client vet practices then they can refuse to accept you, plus they're very expensive (around €90 for the consultation plus whatever medicine is needed, and that consult fee goes up the later at night it is).

baby and crumble

I'm really sorry to hear about your hammie.

It does sound to me like she needs a vet and the advice above is good.

Make sure that she has access to a source of water and soft food right beside where she is sleeping. A little dish of water, rather than having to use a bottle would be best. If she is sick she needs to keep her liquid and food intake up as much as possible.

Try cooking her a little plain scrambled egg or porridge with milk (let them cool to body temp before feeding her maybe from a spoon so she doesn't have to move too much). Both are very nutritious and will help keep her strength up until you can see a vet. Try not to move her much

I've heard very good things about the Charlemont vet clinic in south city centre- I rang them when I was looking to get Isabellas nails trimmed, they have great reviews and a number of small mammal specialists. (01-6714903)

baby and crumble

How is little Google today? I hope she's a bit better.

Bambii_

Thanks for the replies, I'm waiting for my uncle to get back to me to see if he can bring her to the vet (I don't want to get a bus with her). She doesn't seem to be getting any better she's bloated, wouldn't eat the eggs or porridge, she can't stand up to get her water and won't drink out of the little make shift dish I put in her cage. She won't even lick water from my finger or eat from my hand. I'm very worried. I've called a few emergency vets but they all said they won't come out cause it's not worth it! She's moving a little more than yesterday, but it's obvious she's in pain. She sits on her food dish but won't eat any of it. Is there anything else I can do until I find a vet?

celica00

no, just get her to the vet asap and try to not move her too much (in case of pain) good luck

baby and crumble

Just try and keep her as comfortable as possible until you can get to the vet.

On a side note it's very upsetting that a hamster 'isn't worth it'. Just because she's not a big animal or a dog or a cat, she's not a beloved pet? Gets my goat. My hamster is part of my family, she's my friend and helped me get through a serious bout of depression.

OP, you obviously care deeply for your hamster, and that shows in how worried you are and how much you are trying to help. At the very least you have given her a wonderful life so far and are keeping her comfortable now as she is sick.

Best of luck.

Silverfish

Bambii_ wrote: »

Thanks for the replies, I'm waiting for my uncle to get back to me to see if he can bring her to the vet (I don't want to get a bus with her). She doesn't seem to be getting any better she's bloated, wouldn't eat the eggs or porridge, she can't stand up to get her water and won't drink out of the little make shift dish I put in her cage. She won't even lick water from my finger or eat from my hand. I'm very worried. I've called a few emergency vets but they all said they won't come out cause it's not worth it! She's moving a little more than yesterday, but it's obvious she's in pain. She sits on her food dish but won't eat any of it. Is there anything else I can do until I find a vet?

I think you're doing all you can, just make sure she's warm and out of any draughts and not in a room where the temp drops too much during the night. Did you find a vet to take her to? I can recommend Bairbre O'Malley in Bray, she specialises in exotics and small animals, I bring my mice to her all the time, but I don't think she does house calls.

It's a shame you couldn't get a vet that does do house calls to come to you, I even managed to get a specialist vet to do four house calls for my goldfish
You'd think someone would come out for a hamster

Bambii_

Little Google died tonight Thank you all for the advice but I couldn't get her to a vet safely and a vet couldn't (wouldn't!) come out to her. At least she was comfortable, she was in my hands being petted the whole night (while wrapped in my red fluffy dressing gown) so at least she knew she was loved and was comfortable. As upset as I am I'm glad she's not in pain

Silverfish

Oh no, I'm so sorry

The trouble with small fluffy things is they are so good at hiding illness, that by the time you notice they're not well its often too late. You did your best for her in the circumstances.

loveisdivine

Oh I'm really sorry to hear this.

I have small furries too and its true that they hide it so well.
I would be very angry at the vet not wanting to come out. Even though it was probably too late, they still shouldnt suggest that any pet is not worth their effort.

At least little Google is no longer in any pain x

Vojera

Aw, sleep peacefully little Google

baby and crumble

I'm so so sorry to hear that. I had been thinking about little Google a lot. Poor little mite.

You did the best you could and I'm sure she died content with her owner.

ShaShaBear

Poor little poppet, I have two ratties and they're middle aged now, I can only imagine. Although kudos for being one of the stars that believe little furries need to be loved to!

celica00

so sorry to hear reminds me on my lil fella Doug who also passed way too early