Have I asked for help on this hamster before? (If yes, do not start a new topic. Look for your old topic and continue to post there so that other members can refer to previous symptoms)
No - This is the first time I am asking for help on this hamster.
Here is information about my hamster -
Age: 1 year 11.5 months
Gender: Male
Species: Russian Dwarf
These are the details of my hamster's ailment -
When did it start: Most noticeable within the last few days
Signs:
- Wobbly walking
- Difficulty balancing when sitting on his butt
- Will come to my hand but rarely climbs on anymore
- Breathing has slowed down a lot (no signs of wheezing/clicking)
- Frequently sleeping (way more than usual)
- While eating (about half hour ago) a leaf of spinach (which he would usually finish really quickly), he would stop and stare blankly between bites lasting 3-10 seconds. Sometimes during these moments his eyes would start closing like he was falling asleep. I know it's not his alert/sensing danger sort of 'freeze' because he would not twitch his nose or show other signs he used to. No response to my waving my finger past him. A short while before, when he froze eating something else, I tapped him and he responded very slowly.
- Reduced appetite
- Colour changes associated with old age
- No response to name or sounds or removing/replacing his roof.
I think he is dying and transporting him to a vet will distress him significantly because he's very sensitive to changes and transport.
Has anyone experienced any of the above before?
What can I do to keep him comfortable and support him in this time?
