Mr Maggie's Diary

[Magpie]

No, no mobile vet option here- would never be worth their while in this area I wouldn’t have thought.

For context we don’t even have a proper supermarket here! We have a co-op superstore but it’s really more like the equivalent of a Tesco extra…

 

[Maz]

Sounds a bit like us although there is a small town about 8 miles away.

 

[Magpie]

Sounds a bit like us although there is a small town about 8 miles away.

That sounds ideal! Our nearest is 80miles.

Don’t know that I’d move though- for all its cons there are some pros! Born and bred here so you get used to it.

 

[Maz]

It sounds rather special. How on earth did you find a hamster?

 

[Magpie]

It sounds rather special. How on earth did you find a hamster?

A trip to Pets at home while we were in town… 80 miles away…!

Would definitely be nice to be a little bit closer to a town/city and the kids would have more opportunities for sports etc, but we have lots of family and friends locally so would come at the cost of that support network.

 

[Maz]

It sounds like it would be a good idea to have a hamster first aid kit at home

 

[Maz]

There are suggestions for a first aid kit on this thread below, but many are household items. I'm wondering also if you could have an arrangement with your vet that in an emergency they would do a video consultation?

It makes it all the worse for you that Mr Maggie has had a few issues since you first got him/her. Many syrians have no issues at all until old age

My First Aid Kit

Something which I haven't seen many people have or even talk about is first aid kits for pets. I'm sure you have some first aid bits and pieces around for yourself or your family to help take care of minor things yourself or to use until you can get to the hospital or while waiting for an...

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[Magpie]

Thanks Maz. I think we have just been a bit unlucky. Poor Mr Maggie.

I do wonder if it’s been a sharp bit of wood in the shavings that were in the bedding that’s caused a bit of trauma to his skin and allowed for the pouch to prolapse.

Even though I’ve scooped out the shavings (during vet visits where I’ve had to dig him up) and looks like it’s pretty much all gone, I still keep coming across the odd shard which is horrible and I’m paranoid about it now. I know it’s not ideal but assuming he comes through the 2 weeks post op without the pouch prolapsing again I am going to do a full change over of the bedding to make sure all the shavings are gone and with them any sharp bits. The top layer of paper should be ok to re-use and keep some of his smell in there. (I will just sift through it to make sure no wood remains in with them)

So annoyed that they sold it to us as safe bedding and even more annoyed at myself for using them.

I do also wonder if we are the only people in this entire region who have actually taken their hamster to a vet… although that might be because we have had freakish bad luck and needed one!

 

[Maz]

It happens to a lot of people - the pet store tell you its suitable for hamsters. I also have to travel about 60 miles to our vet but only because it's the only exotic vet in the area. There are closer ones. It's a real pain and a slow journey there due to the type of roads.

 

[Magpie]

It happens to a lot of people - the pet store tell you its suitable for hamsters. I also have to travel about 60 miles to our vet but only because it's the only exotic vet in the area. There are closer ones. It's a real pain and a slow journey there due to the type of roads.

I had assumed there would be an exotic vet in that town and would have easily taken him the 80miles, but there’s not even one there.

As far as I can tell our nearest would be 200 miles away.

My local vet specifically says they treat exotics… and technically they do… but definitely not specialists! (As they admit themselves)

 

[Magpie]

Day 5 post-op now and all looks ok still. (The two Previous attempts to replace the pouch failed on day 5 and day 7 so I’m on high alert right now)

There’s definitely nothing wrong with his appetite though… Mr Maggie is a bit of a pie I think! I had put out 6 soaked SS pellets earlier tonight. When I woke up just now he’s eaten them all and then gone on to devour half of his teaspoon of porridge!

He definitely really likes the sweet squash and chicken baby food- there’s never any of that left by the following day.

He’s generally eating between 6-8 pellets a day (soaked) plus 1 teaspoon porridge and 1 teaspoon of the baby food. He’s definitely eating them too rather than taking them away anywhere- I’ve sat and watched him! My Granny would say he has Hollow legs!

 

[Maz]

That is really good news It sounds like a typical hamster - eating everything you put out. And what you're putting out is very tasty to a hamster. Yes mine have always loved the Sweet Squash and chicken one Fingers crossed it's all going ok this time. You deserve a break.