I think my black Syrian hamster is starting to go downhill. He is getting old, and he's not very active anymore. His fur has been slowly turning from a deep, shiny blue-black to brown. He almost never runs on his wheel anymore and he won't get in his exercise ball to run around the house anymore. When he comes out he just curls up on my lap and sleeps. He's always been the cuddler out of my entire crew, but he never used to sleep this much with me. He sleeps all day and most of the night. He goes for a ten minute run three times a night or less usually.
When doing my morning health checks today he was fine. His weight is maintaining, but since he's not getting a lot of exercise and eating less those two things are probably balancing eachother out. His fur is soft, his eyes are bright, and he still clicks his teeth at Bonnie (my budgie) when my back is turned and he lands on the top of her cage. I should probably insert a disclaimer here though. Bonnie is completely and utterly fascinated by this furry little creature and goes to visit at every chance. I never let him climb on his cage but sometimes he does occasionally land on it and wake him up enough to get him PO'd at her. I always go chase her off right away. Jerome has NEVER in the year I've had him bitten anyone. Ever. No matter what, he just doesn't bite. I've been bitten by other hamsters before and I know they have sharp little teeth, so Bonnie is NOT allowed on his cage. Sometimes he gets over there while I'm washing her veggies off or looking for the remote since Sabrina (one of my cats) has taken to hiding it under the couch along with all the toys she's "killed", but that's pretty much the only time he has a chance to get over there. Jerome is acting normal, except he's not eating as much and he isn't very active.
I'm debating taking him to the vet (he sees Bonnie's avian vet since she's pretty knowledgable in rodents and other small furry animals). His problem is old age. I have a lot of experience with rodents, and I can tell when one of my hamsters is in pain. Jerome doesn't seem to be in pain. He's interested in his surroundings and he still gives kisses (licks me) when I pet him. Taking him to the vet isn't going to keep him from getting old, and if he's not in pain I don't see the use in stressing him out. He doesn't have any cuts on any of his feet or his tail that would be preventing him from walking. He doesn't move stiffly. He just doesn't move as much. I am saving up my next week's pay just in case, but I'm going to do my best to let him live his life out at home. I am calling the vet in the morning and I'm going to ask her about safe home remedies for small animals that might help Jerome be more comfortable, and to ask about any signs I need to watch out for.
His quality of life hasn't seemed to go down any. He still enjoys himself. He's still destroying one toy a night. I just have to put it closer to his nest so it's easier to use it. He more than likely will wind up going to the vet; I just don't want him to be unhappy over anything, and at this point in his life there wouldn't be very much a vet could do for him unless he was in pain, which he doesn't seem to be.
When doing my morning health checks today he was fine. His weight is maintaining, but since he's not getting a lot of exercise and eating less those two things are probably balancing eachother out. His fur is soft, his eyes are bright, and he still clicks his teeth at Bonnie (my budgie) when my back is turned and he lands on the top of her cage. I should probably insert a disclaimer here though. Bonnie is completely and utterly fascinated by this furry little creature and goes to visit at every chance. I never let him climb on his cage but sometimes he does occasionally land on it and wake him up enough to get him PO'd at her. I always go chase her off right away. Jerome has NEVER in the year I've had him bitten anyone. Ever. No matter what, he just doesn't bite. I've been bitten by other hamsters before and I know they have sharp little teeth, so Bonnie is NOT allowed on his cage. Sometimes he gets over there while I'm washing her veggies off or looking for the remote since Sabrina (one of my cats) has taken to hiding it under the couch along with all the toys she's "killed", but that's pretty much the only time he has a chance to get over there. Jerome is acting normal, except he's not eating as much and he isn't very active.
I'm debating taking him to the vet (he sees Bonnie's avian vet since she's pretty knowledgable in rodents and other small furry animals). His problem is old age. I have a lot of experience with rodents, and I can tell when one of my hamsters is in pain. Jerome doesn't seem to be in pain. He's interested in his surroundings and he still gives kisses (licks me) when I pet him. Taking him to the vet isn't going to keep him from getting old, and if he's not in pain I don't see the use in stressing him out. He doesn't have any cuts on any of his feet or his tail that would be preventing him from walking. He doesn't move stiffly. He just doesn't move as much. I am saving up my next week's pay just in case, but I'm going to do my best to let him live his life out at home. I am calling the vet in the morning and I'm going to ask her about safe home remedies for small animals that might help Jerome be more comfortable, and to ask about any signs I need to watch out for.
His quality of life hasn't seemed to go down any. He still enjoys himself. He's still destroying one toy a night. I just have to put it closer to his nest so it's easier to use it. He more than likely will wind up going to the vet; I just don't want him to be unhappy over anything, and at this point in his life there wouldn't be very much a vet could do for him unless he was in pain, which he doesn't seem to be.
