Dwarf Hamster advice urgent

Innocence · 05-05-2008, 21:49

My little Russian Dwarf Kiytu has been having strange sort of fit things recently.
basically it started about a year ago, but it happened once and never came back again until about a month ago and since he's had about 3 fits and i've had to sit there with him in my hand until he calms down...
I thought it might be shock at first but before he goes lifeless he looks like he's washing but really stifly and he looks like he is in great pain and then he opens his mouth, lies on his side, shakes a bit then goes lifeless for about 3 minutes. He's about a year and 3 months old. I had a look at the symptoms online but nothing is making sense at the minute.
I don't really want to have to take him to the vets until I think it is something very serious because he has been a really expensive hamster with vets bills already and I don't want my mum to have to pay out much more...
Although, If he is in as much pain as he looks...I'm so confused.

Just a little help if thats ok...
Thanks

shihtzumad · 05-05-2008, 21:54

oh dear am sorry to hear your hamster is poorly, i think the only answer is the vets am afraid, he does sound in a bad way, and at this time of night its emergency vets only

Twiglet · 05-05-2008, 21:57

I can't say I ever came across it when I had dwarf hamsters. If it is epilepsy (the only obvious thing that comes to mind) there isn't any treatment so going to a vets would not make much difference. Does he 'scream' when he fits? Anything else neurological i.e. brain tumours etc. are probably out of the question as you say he's had them almost all his life.

Dwarf hamsters generally don't live as long as Syrians and 1 year 3 months is reasonably old. It's entirely up to you as to what you wish to do but it's likely there isn't much a vet could actually provide in the way of treatment - but if the fits get very frequent and his quality of life deteriorates then it's probably kindest to take him.

Innocence · 05-05-2008, 22:29

He doesn't squeal...well...he makes a noise...but not a squeal but his face looks so ill and in pain...if that makes sense...
He seems pretty settled at the minute...
Although I have just been talking with my mum and after a year and a bit of having him, we are actually wondering whether "he" is actually a "she"...

My friend who works in a vets part time after college is going to ask advice for me as she sees dwarf hammies with similar things and they are told to take them home and let them rest..

I don't know. I'll see what he's like in the morning!
Thanks guys

boo22 · 06-05-2008, 07:20

[QUOTE=Twiglet;3488767]Dwarf hamsters generally don't live as long as Syrians and 1 year 3 months is reasonably old.QUOTE]

Not neccessarily, we had a dwarf live till 4 and a half, and a syrian who lived to 12 months. Maybe to do with genetics or somerthing but there is always an exception to a theory/rule!

shihtzumad · 06-05-2008, 07:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innocence

He doesn't squeal...well...he makes a noise...but not a squeal but his face looks so ill and in pain...if that makes sense...
He seems pretty settled at the minute...
Although I have just been talking with my mum and after a year and a bit of having him, we are actually wondering whether "he" is actually a "she"...

My friend who works in a vets part time after college is going to ask advice for me as she sees dwarf hammies with similar things and they are told to take them home and let them rest..

I don't know. I'll see what he's like in the morning!
Thanks guys

hiya, just wondering how your little hamster is any better today, i hope so

Twiglet · 06-05-2008, 09:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by boo22

Not neccessarily, we had a dwarf live till 4 and a half, and a syrian who lived to 12 months. Maybe to do with genetics or somerthing but there is always an exception to a theory/rule!

Of course there are always exceptions, that's why I said generally

Innocence · 06-05-2008, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by shihtzumad

hiya, just wondering how your little hamster is any better today, i hope so

Hey. well, he was up this morning when I was about to go out so I picked him up to see whether he seemed in pain or not. He didn't squeal but he seemed very shaky and he's lost a lot of weight...May sound weird but this hamster has got me through a lot...

shihtzumad · 06-05-2008, 11:53

glad to hear, he sounds like he his picking up

Innocence · 06-05-2008, 11:59

hopefully! i'm going to get him out when i get back and check on him!

Twiglet · 06-05-2008, 12:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innocence

Hey. well, he was up this morning when I was about to go out so I picked him up to see whether he seemed in pain or not. He didn't squeal but he seemed very shaky and he's lost a lot of weight...May sound weird but this hamster has got me through a lot...

In which case I would get him to a vets to have him checked over, it sounds more complicated than just simple fitting. Weight loss isn't good - they don't have much weight to lose! Is he eating and drinking normally? You never know, it could be something as easy to treat as an infection but the fact he's losing weight indicates he is unwell and does need help. Good luck!

MinxyKitten · 06-05-2008, 13:14

I hope he gets better soon, do you think he might be subjected to shock at all? For instance do you have a cat that might visit him occasionally?

Innocence · 06-05-2008, 19:52

there are cats in the house but they can't get into my room. he seems to do it at random times like i caught him fitting in his cage like flipping about then going lifeless so i'm not sure.
just keeping a close eye on him at the minute like i was told too!