Is my hamster going to die? (Syrian 2.5yr)?

Question

For a long time he was ill with respiritory problems but has since recovered. Although sometimes I will go to his cage and it has come back for the day or something. Like this morning his sneezes were so violent he was being thrown about in his bed.

Right now he is asleep on a little matress I made for him, because since he recovered he's been falling asleep on my lap, and just about anywhere he can lay down. He is panting alot, and his ribs are moving ten to the dozen. While he was ill he didn't get as much excersise, because I didn't want him to become out of breath, but now is he just out of shape?

He has a twin brother who is an absolute rocket, he looks as if he has never aged a day in his life. But the one I am talking about has fur thinning on the back of his neck, feels cold, has cold feet, is letting his claws grow out (they were stunningly well trimmed for a while there) He barly walks any distance before stopping an trying to go to sleep.... What can be done?

Answer 1

Your hamster is lucky he has you as an owner as you obviously care about him so much, but I am sorry to say this but it just sounds like he is coming to the natural end of his life. Syrians live on average around 2 to 3 years so 2.5 is a ripe old age. My last hamster started to behave just like yours and passed away within a week. Just in case though I would try maybe buying a fresh bag of hamster food as once they have been opened hamster food does start to lose its vitamin and mineral levels. It is possible he is tired and losing fur because of a poor diet. Also try a different type of bedding and maybe a different substrate to sawdust in case he is allergic to one of them and that is making him sneeze. I would prepare yourself for the worst though, but don't be too sad, it sound like he has had a wonderful well cared for life.

Answer 2

sadly, I think so.  :(  Hamsters only live a short while so 2.5 is a long time for a hamster.

Answer 3

Hi,



You obviously love your hamster very much but with all due respect no-one on here can tell you whether your pet is ill or dying.

Yes, the signs don't look great, however who knows - something might be able to be done for him if he sees a vet. There might be something they can do, I don't agree that taking him to a vet would be a waste of time, I think you should at least see if there is anything which could help. If the news turns out to be bad at least you can be sure you did your best for him and it will at the very least remove the uncertainty that you currently have.

I always take my hamsters to the vet if anything seems wrong, the peace of mind is worth it and I have never found my local vet to be overly expensive.

Take care and good luck.

Answer 4

I cared for a hamster. its normal for a hamster to die like for 1 year but luckily yours survived. the life span of hamsters are 1 - 3 years.  just take good care of it like you always do. ur a good pet lover . you care for your hamster eally good. but its normal to them to die. that is just their life span. your hamster now is diseased. bringing him to the VET is just a waste of money. it will probably die a week or something. that is what happen to 3 of my hamsters and sometimes it just die.

did u breed them already. if u breed them ur lucky.

my tips:

always clean the hamster cage

clean water

not sugary foods

balanced diet

veggies

but not to sweet

buy a new hamster i suggest(if u didn't breed them)

gud luck and once and for all. you are realy good at taking care of your pet.

please tell me when something happens to your hamster. u know what i mean. ur a good pet lover

i wish u gud luck

Answer 5

humanly euthanize the poor guy put him out of his misery

Answer 6

I'm sorry to tell you this but i think you should just enjoy the time left.

make the most of what got left with your little hammy and just have fun.

but if he is in pain maybe if you to put him down i know it would be hard but it would be for the best.

its hard to let go of pets i know instead of tihnking about him dying think about what you did together.

i hope this help

Answer 7

it sounds like he is dying cos thats how my 2 died a couple of weeks ago,they went really thin and so did there fur and they stopped breathing properly but he isnt in pain so dont worry too much and im sorry that you are going to lose him,it hurts i know.

Answer 8

2.5 years is a great lifespan for a Syrian...I don't want to rule anything out, but it looks to me like your little guy may be moving "upstairs" soon.

For now, I'd say enjoy the time you have left with your hammy, and be proud that you've provided him with such a happy and fulfilling life =)

EDIT:  I don't think he's in pain, and I don't think euthanization is the way you want to go, so unless you think it necessary, I'd avoid it.

EDIT #2:  Your hamster is not diseased, if it was then I WOULD recommend a trip to the vet, but I believe you said he had overcome his illness.

Answer 9

i'm sorry to say he should be put out of his misery. get him enthusianized. he's lived a good live with you, and its not fair to let him suffer.