Jack

[Maz]

I also see Elusive's point as well though. At one time I very much didn't like giving any medication unless it was absolutely necessary. I've kind of changed that view a bit - with Syrians - after finding Metacam only seems to have positive effects on them and when they are old and failing it can't really do any harm. I don't know if that's the same with dwarf hamsters. I know I had to be very careful with dosage with a robo and weigh the robo every 2 or 3 days if they're losing weight.

 

[Member ID2]

I've never seen any ill effects from metacam either and a few of my hamsters have been on in the last few months of their lives. In fact, it gave them a new lease of life for a while.

Saying that, with one hamster vets advised against it and my vets are by no means against the use of metacam, even long term.
Rodney developed gastric problems which included diarrhoea from time to time. The vet said that metacam could make him feel worse and i didn't want to take that chance. When things got bad for Rodney i had him pts.

Jack's decline is very much like Henry's. I took Henry to the vet three times, antibiotics were tried but he kept losing weight and went downhill, sleeping a lot until he died. I think it was a natural decline accompanied by possibly age related health issues because his time was up.
In a way i regret putting Henry through the upheaval of vet visits and waking him for antibiotics which he hated taking when he could have gone with less intrusion.
I'm trying to learn from experiences.

I can see everybody's point of view and very much appreciate the fact that i have people i can talk to.

 

[elusive]

We definitely do learn from experience but I also think it’s something that can vary so much from one ham to another it’s a case of observing them & following your instincts as much as anything, it wouldn’t hurt to try it for a few days & see how he goes if you think it might help then take it from there.
It’s at times like this I really wish they could talk as it’s not always easy to know what’s the best thing to do.

 

[Member ID2]

Jack sleeps nearly all the time now and he slept in his doorway. I checked his house this morning and found that his hoard had taken over. I cleaned half of his house out, removed most of the old hoard and replaced with fresh then left a big heap of looroll strips for him. He remade his nest, foraged some food and is sleeping inside his house now.
Sadly, he's getting weaker and was wobbly coming down a shelf so i set up a bungalow for him. It looks bare but he needs to be able to get about easily with everything within easy reach. He's not interested in his wheel but i always leave it in when they get old or ill.
I tried a bit of metacam but he won't eat the food then. He didn't like it last month and he still refuses to take it. I won't distress him with a syringe because he just wants to be left alone to rest now.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I think this new set up is a very good idea for sweet Jack. Having things on one level means he does not have to climb. You have done a wonderful job of creating a retirement home.

 

[elusive]

I know what you mean about it seeming a bit empty but it will be easier for him now & I’m sure he’ll appreciate that, I always leave the wheel in too, try & find a balance between making things work for them without changing too much or making it too unfamiliar at the same time.
I’m sorry to hear he’s getting so much weaker so quickly, I know how hard it is to have to watch them like this but he sounds comfortable enough, I’m sure he’s happy to be able to sleep in his house again, you’re doing everything you can for him Beryl & I’m sure he knows that.

 

[Maz]

I don't think it looks too empty. When it's all one level they need some open space to get to everything easily. When I set up retirement bungalows I used to try and odd more "occupying" foody things to keep them happy at that level. Like some of Rainbow's chew toys with seeds stuck on! I use the hyacinth ball with seeds sticking out and it keeps them occupied getting the seeds out and adds a bit of pleasure to life. I also got some new woody treat things for the floor of the cage. These ones. They always seem to like the carrot. I think they smell fruity. They don't tend to chew them but seem to like them being around!

As for the metacam, what food are you giving it in? I used to give Charlie a little egg cup with baby food in - separate from his other food - and mix the metacam in that. The pumpkin and chicken flavour was the most popular. If it's food they know the taste of already like porridge, then he may not like it if it tastes different, but if it's something he's never had before ...........

Amazon.co.uk

 

[Member ID2]

I put the metacam on softened science selective but that's a good point that he knows that food and metacam would make it taste differently.
I bought some Ella's peas today but he's not really interested in food.
I'm at work overnight (Tuesday and Saturday this week) till 09.00 tomorrow so my OH will feed the hamsters tonight. Jack eats his fresh food but no longer gets up for it when we put it out. He eats it during the night at some point.
I think that he is fading away but i don't think that he is in pain.
All the signs of a failing heart are there and i have to keep an eye on his breathing to help him, should he start to suffer.

I said to my OH this morning that it is so sad hamsters have such short lives. He replied that all we can do is make the best of every day they are with us. So true.

 

[Maz]

So sorry to hear Jack is fading away and as you know this stage can go on for some time. All you can do is put things out and see if he takes them. I think adding metacam to something he isn't familiar with may be a good idea. It's very sweet tasting so it might make savoury food taste weird. How about a pea sized amount of mashed banana with it mixed in?

 

[Member ID2]

So sorry to hear Jack is fading away and as you know this stage can go on for some time. All you can do is put things out and see if he takes them. I think adding metacam to something he isn't familiar with may be a good idea. It's very sweet tasting so it might make savoury food taste weird. How about a pea sized amount of mashed banana with it mixed in?

That's a good idea. I'll try it in banana tomorrow.

 

[Member ID2]

Thank you Maz. Jack licks the metacam mixed in a tiny bit of mashed banana off the spoon.
I need to take the roof off his house to check on him and offer him the spoon at the same time.
Jack's deteriorating fast but still gets up to use his toilet. He just wants to keep warm and sleep. I know that because he pulls the strips of paper over himself and looks up telling me to put his roof back on.

It's so very sad to see him like that. Like Henry he's wasting away in front of our eyes. Henry was so skinny in the end and became incontinent. Henry rolled up inside his coconut and died while i was considering one final visit to the vet.

I gave Henry metacam and i'm doing the same with Jack, even if he doesn't need it, it won't do any harm at this stage. Hamsters are so good at hiding pain that we can't be sure.

Jack's teeth aren't preventing him from eating and his breathing isn't laboured or wheezy from an infection.

I think that he is sadly approaching the end of his life.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I am really sorry Beryl. I have been thinking of you and Jack all day and hoping you are both okay.

 

[elusive]

I’m sorry Beryl, it does sound as though he’s coming to the end of his life now, I know how hard it is to see but it does sound as though he’s ending his life in a comfortable, pain free & natural way which is all we can wish for them really, I often think when they go this way quietly & peacefully it’s harder for us than them, I’m sure he appreciates the love you give him more than ever now, they just know.

 

[Maz]

I'm sorry he's fading. You kind of guessed that might be happening recently. I am sure he is comfortable. Good he tried a bit of the Metacam - it may help keep him comfortable.

 

[Member ID2]

Jack is dying and i had hoped for him to go peacefully in his nest. He has started to struggle and this could go on for a while yet. I have decided to help him on his way. Have phoned work to let them know that i'll be in later and made an appointed to have him euthanised in an hours time. I think Jack's beyond stressing about a visit to the vet now.

 

[elusive]

I’m sorry Beryl, I know how much you’d hoped he could go peacefully. It’s always so hard but the kindest thing for Jack.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I am so very sorry Beryl. I think you are making such a kind decision for precious Jack. I am thinking of you both.

 

[Maz]

I’m so sorry Beryl. It’s the right thing if he is suffering.

 

[Member ID2]

Thank you all for your support in my decision. I'm at the vets now.

 

[Member ID2]

Jack was ready to hit the road. The vet told me that the aneasthetic gas knocked him out instantly. I'm sad and emotional to lose our lovely Jack but glad that he's at peace now.