Yesterday she was walking funny and today she is walking into things, could she have had a stroke she is only 14 mths old? Im taking her to the vets later.
2006-10-05 00:57:53 · 17 answers · asked by Lisa 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
A stroke sounds like the most likely thing to me. Mild strokes do not cause paralysis, but they can cause disorientation and make them look a bit "wonky". I keep hamsters and gerbils and have done for a while. Two of my gerbils have had mild strokes but continued to live quite happily for many months afterwards...its just that their heads are tilted a little bit!!
Of course it may not be a stroke and your vet will advise, but my vet has always said that as long as the animal still seems active and is eating okay then they can carry on fine. If your hammy seems to be having trouble eating initially, I have been recommended to feed them baby food. I know it sounds silly, but its easy to eat and can help build them up again after they have been ill. Heinz porridge and apricot custard seem to work wonders.
Good luck at the vets and I hope your little hammy is okay.
2006-10-05 01:12:07 · answer #1 · answered by Jooles 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1st off i'm glad youre taking her to the vet. she should have the right answer rather than the guesses u get here. it could be a stroke as u mentioned but it could also be an ear infection which simple antibiotics will cure. does she walk with a tilted head or scratch her ears or shake his head? she's not that old and strokes tend to be in older hamsters. with a stroke u may see the head tilt too but she wont be as mobile and her eating may lessen--u will have to handfeed if that happens. does one side seem paralyzed?
desmond is misinformed. lifespan is 2-3 yrs. and anyone whose hamsters die within 6 mths is either not treating them properly or always getting old hamsters.
good luck!
2006-10-05 08:50:57 · answer #2 · answered by galaxygurl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take her to a vet as this does not sound normal.
Although you say the hamster is only 14 months, the average life span of a hamster is 18 months - 2 years.
2006-10-05 08:21:31 · answer #3 · answered by Catwhiskers 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Is she drinking water> It could be dehydration or an ear infection. The life span for a hamster is 2-3 years, so since she is almost half way through her life span & now this problem, it is definately recommended that you make that trip to the vet.
I wish you the best of luck!
I have included a website that you may want to refer to.
2006-10-05 09:09:58 · answer #4 · answered by Ms BG 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not sure whats wrong with your wee hammy, but glad to hear your taking it to the vet, some people wouldn't bother, and that's just not right. Good luck with the vet later. Ive got a housefull of the tiny wee things, my son's breeding them and they are so adorable, hate having to give them away.
2006-10-05 09:39:41 · answer #5 · answered by MADMOM 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters only live 18 mos to 2 yrs max. Yes she could have had a stroke, or--seriously, not kidding--a concussion falling off her wheel. She is getting up there, age wise, for a hamster! Usually it's cancer that gets them; she might have a brain tumor. Sorry, not good news.
2006-10-05 09:03:43 · answer #6 · answered by anna 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Poor we thing i bet she's all confused, your Hamster has lived longer than any of mine. The longest i have had 1 is 6 months
2006-10-05 08:04:40 · answer #7 · answered by chass_lee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry about your hamster. Shes probibly blind. If I were you I wouldnt take her to the vet. Its to spendy. But if you really do want it to live then go ahead! I hope it starts to feeling better!
Jamie
2006-10-05 10:56:21 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
She may be blind in one, or both eyes. If she had had a stroke she would be paralized down one side, and not really walking anywhere! Hope that helps, good luck with the vets!
2006-10-05 08:01:13 · answer #9 · answered by Rachael D 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋
oh bless her she may have an ear infection ... take her to the vets good luck
2006-10-05 08:46:56 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋