Rory

[Maz]

I think it's ok for an unwell hamster. It may be that he needs a hospital cage now rather than just a low set up. If he still has most of his nest in there and some familiar smelling things then he might settle. I wouldn't move him again though. As you say sometimes there is no right or wrong. I have had the same issue where I've left them in the same familiar cage but had difficulty getting access to the house.

 

[Member ID2]

Yes, the bottle needs to be opposite or near the house but the Alaska is too high to reach in comfortably if the house is in the back to clean it and i have a dodgy back which doesn't help.

 

[Maz]

Keep an eye on his ears being down. If they stay down all the time then he could be suffering. You probably know that anyway. But they all have their ears down when they just wake up.

 

[Member ID2]

I think it's ok for an unwell hamster. It may be that he needs a hospital cage now rather than just a low set up. If he still has most of his nest in there and some familiar smelling things then he might settle. I wouldn't move him again though. As you say sometimes there is no right or wrong. I have had the same issue where I've left them in the same familiar cage but had difficulty getting access to the house.

Yes, everything is from his Alaska and he has two identical houses so the clean one he's in now has his smell.
Don't think he's ill, just old at 2.5 years. I guess he's 90 in human years.

 

[Maz]

They vary so much in old age. Charlie lived to 2 years 8 months and until the last two weeks was still using his wheel a bit and scampering around on the carpet. Then he went downhill over a couple of weeks. Rory may come round a bit again or just keep going downhill. If he's not using his wheel any more then that does say something.

 

[Maz]

I know when I was a new hamster owner people used to say - just leave him in his nest and don't disturb that. Sometimes you have to if it's pee'd in. I still used to get Charlie out for a stroke in those last couple of weeks. Then he'd come round a bit. But he was mainly in his nest.

 

[Member ID2]

Keep an eye on his ears being down. If they stay down all the time then he could be suffering. You probably know that anyway. But they all have their ears down when they just wake up.

Yes, they are flat on waking but he was walking around with them flat. I can hear him nibbling inside his house now. I don't think the sudden move stressed him.

Poor Clive. I sat on the floor deep in thought trying to figure out a set up for Rory while Clive tried his best to climb on top of my lap to tell me that he wanted to go home. Poor little thing felt neglected.

 

[Maz]

Aw Clive wanting attention. He is probably sensing your worry about Rory too.

 

[Member ID2]

Rory just came to the door for a stroke then turned around and went back into his house.
Glad the ears are up but his left eye looks a bit prominent and has been on and off.

 

[RainbowBrite]

That is so good to hear. He really is so cute. I hope his eye is okay.

 

[Member ID2]

Maybe eyes look more prominent when hamsters shrink with age.

 

[Maz]

It does look more prominent doesn't it Beryl? If you remember that's how Pickle started with his eye. Anything eyes isn't good.

 

[Member ID2]

Yes, i know. It is worrying. Rory's on metacam but don't think a vet could do anything. He's too old and fragile for surgery.

 

[Maz]

Yes of course. If he's on Metacam already then it's just observation really. I hope the Metacam helps. Without meaning to be grim, it is possible the eye may fall out. Or it might stay the same. Any kind of protruding eye - there's a reason for it (I know that sounds obvious!).

I am glad he perked up. Pickle didn't seem too bothered by his eye while he was on Metacam - even though it looked dreadful and made me squeamish - it was only when he started staggering I began to think it was pressing on his brain and must be causing suffering then. But he had head swelling as well so slightly different. It started with the eye though.

 

[Member ID2]

I've levelled his Alaska. When Rory woke he started pawing the bin cage so thought i'll get the Alaska done now. He doesn't use the wheel but it has his scent so i put it back in.

 

[Member ID2]

He's in his house.

 

[Maz]

That looks good - house easier to get at and it looks nice for him. I'm sure he'll be glad to be back in his own cage.

 

[Member ID2]

He can get about easier now and it is his home.

 

[Maz]

I'm sure he'll appreciate it. Raffy is keeping me up late too!

 

[Member ID2]

It's so much easier for him now.
Thank you all for your advice. It really helps to bounce things off other hamster people.