My Hamster

[Shockwave.2CC]

OK for all you animal know it alls out there

I have a question (might lead to more) about my hamster


Why does my hamster walk hunched over and have a small limp?

[Narnat,]

It could be that your hamster has a join problem. Is your hamster young? - If so it could have been born with it or it could of done it after it was born before you got it. It would be worth getting it checked out. Vets normally charge around £14-20 for a consultation. Leaving it could make it worse and if it gets stressed it can get things like syrian wetail and become very grumpy and wont want to be handled. Good luck!

[Chris]

It can depend on it's age, but if it's wet tail then it can occur at any age. Have you noticed any runny poo's in the cage or any blood at all?

[Shockwave.2CC]

It could be that your hamster has a join problem. Is your hamster young? - If so it could have been born with it or it could of done it after it was born before you got it. It would be worth getting it checked out. Vets normally charge around £14-20 for a consultation. Leaving it could make it worse and if it gets stressed it can get things like syrian wetail and become very grumpy and wont want to be handled. Good luck!


It can depend on it's age, but if it's wet tail then it can occur at any age. Have you noticed any runny poo's in the cage or any blood at all?

I have had it for 3 years and no runny poo or blood

[Chris]

I have had it for 3 years and no runny poo or blood

That is pretty good going for a Hamster. If you can, pick him/her up and look at it's rear end. Does it look swollen or abnormal?

[Empired]

Get it checked out by a vet just to be sure. My dog hops on three legs round the park and has done for about three years now. We've taken her to the vet multiple times and, as far as we can tell, she does it for no reason. It just looks weird :P
So yeah, it's probably nothing but get it checked out; better to be safe than sorry.

[Shockwave.2CC]

That is pretty good going for a Hamster. If you can, pick him/her up and look at it's rear end. Does it look swollen or abnormal?

Yes it does look like it

[Chris]

Yes it does look like it

Then I would suggest taking it to the vets as soon as you can.

[Shockwave.2CC]

Thanks for all your help guys but it sadly died at 2am today ;'(
(R.I.P - 2011 - 2014)

[-:Undertaker:-]

Thanks for all your help guys but it sadly died at 2am today ;'(
(R.I.P - 2011 - 2014)

Sad to hear, with 3 years under his/her belt though it had a good run you've got to admit. I had two Syrian hamsters, and 3 dwarfs... not nice seeing them die slowly so it's good your one went quickly and hopefully without any pain.

Got guniea pigs now, one died few years ago (the grandfather) and his back legs went one night and he was going cold so we sat up with him and kept him warm, he passed in the morning... the grandmother of the family went last summer too when they were outside, opened the hutch door and she'd died overnight so at least she didn't suffer. Worst thing is seeing them in any pain.

[Chris]

Thanks for all your help guys but it sadly died at 2am today ;'(
(R.I.P - 2011 - 2014)

Aww :( Like Dan said though, three years is really good going for a hamster. You must have looked after it really well.

[Empired]

Such a shame but three years is fantastic for a hamster; you clearly cared for them a lot :)

Would you consider getting another pet or is that gonna be it for you now?

[sex]

i cant believe chris's advice killed your hamster

rip xx

[Richie]

@Shockwave.2CC (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=53392);

RIP


I was considering getting a hamster or a guinea pig but is it really worth getting attached to something that will die in the space of a couple of years?


Are they expensive to care for, food etc?

[Shockwave.2CC]

@Shockwave.2CC (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=53392);

RIP


I was considering getting a hamster or a guinea pig but is it really worth getting attached to something that will die in the space of a couple of years?


Are they expensive to care for, food etc?

erm not really
I say for food maybe £30 a month (depending how much you use in that time)

[Plebings]

really sorry to hear :(

is it really £30 a month? that's more than our cats!

[Empired]

@Shockwave.2CC (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=53392);

RIP


I was considering getting a hamster or a guinea pig but is it really worth getting attached to something that will die in the space of a couple of years?


Are they expensive to care for, food etc?
Idk about guinea pigs but for hamsters:

It'll cost quite a bit when you're starting out. You'll need a cage (glass NOT wire because they can wriggle through the gaps) with plenty of space, things to interest them (exercise wheel is always a good idea, and buy independently rather than with the cage), food and treats, water and dispenser, toys, bedding, travel kit for when they'll inevitably have to visit the vet (or at the very least something to bring them home from the store in) and anything else you might want to add.

After that it's just gonna be fresh bedding (you can use shredded paper), food, fresh water and maybe the odd new toy if you like.

[Chris]

Idk about guinea pigs but for hamsters:

It'll cost quite a bit when you're starting out. You'll need a cage (glass NOT wire because they can wriggle through the gaps) with plenty of space, things to interest them (exercise wheel is always a good idea, and buy independently rather than with the cage), food and treats, water and dispenser, toys, bedding, travel kit for when they'll inevitably have to visit the vet (or at the very least something to bring them home from the store in) and anything else you might want to add.

After that it's just gonna be fresh bedding (you can use shredded paper), food, fresh water and maybe the odd new toy if you like.

Syrian hamsters wouldn't stand a chance of getting through wires on a cage. Dwarf hamsters might if the bars are too far apart, but a mice cage or a cage designed specifically for dwarf hamsters would be suitable for them. It's also advisable that you get a wire cage as a hamsters teeth continue to grow throughout their life, meaning its important theres always something for them to chew on.

[Empired]

Syrian hamsters wouldn't stand a chance of getting through wires on a cage. Dwarf hamsters might if the bars are too far apart, but a mice cage or a cage designed specifically for dwarf hamsters would be suitable for them. It's also advisable that you get a wire cage as a hamsters teeth continue to grow throughout their life, meaning its important theres always something for them to chew on.
You'd be surprised at what hamsters can wriggle through. I was trying to suggest that you should get a cage specifically designed to your hamsters needs like you said. Any breed of hamster could get through a wire cage for, say, rats sooner or later. And you can provide them with toys and special treats to chew on.

[Chris]

You'd be surprised at what hamsters can wriggle through. I was trying to suggest that you should get a cage specifically designed to your hamsters needs like you said. Any breed of hamster could get through a wire cage for, say, rats sooner or later. And you can provide them with toys and special treats to chew on.

Trust me, I know what hamsters can get through. They're trained escape artists. :P But there is no way a syrian could compress it's body to fit through the bars on a standard hamster cage. I've not had experience with dwarfs, but petsathome sells cages that are designed for that breed. Glass or plastic cages can also stop the air circulation and limit the interaction you can have with it.

Anyway, it's a shame they don't live longer. The ones I've had have generally lived for 2 years, although my last one died after only a few months due to wet tail. :( They make good little companions if you spend enough time getting to know them. Do you think you'll have another Shockwave.2CC;? I would have got another one, but I didn't feel I could put the time in any more.

[Shockwave.2CC]

Trust me, I know what hamsters can get through. They're trained escape artists. :P But there is no way a syrian could compress it's body to fit through the bars on a standard hamster cage. I've not had experience with dwarfs, but petsathome sells cages that are designed for that breed. Glass or plastic cages can also stop the air circulation and limit the interaction you can have with it.

Anyway, it's a shame they don't live longer. The ones I've had have generally lived for 2 years, although my last one died after only a few months due to wet tail. :( They make good little companions if you spend enough time getting to know them. Do you think you'll have another @Shockwave.2CC (http://www.habboxforum.com/member.php?u=53392);? I would have got another one, but I didn't feel I could put the time in any more.

No probably not as it was my 4th one and I don't think I could handle another death

[Chris]

No probably not as it was my 4th one and I don't think I could handle another death

I know that feeling :( I stopped at 4 too.

[Red]

Aww :( poor wee hamster.
mine lived for 5 years!! best pet ever.

[alilbitoflauren]

Awh poor hamster :(