Animals that have reached an old age are more likely to be affected by geriatric diseases.After one year of age, hamsters can start to suffer from geriatric diseases.The heart, kidneys, and other internal organs are the most common geriatric diseases.Amyloidosis and Cardiac thrombus are very common.If you take the animal to the vet, you can get clues about the condition.
Step 1: Your hamster might have a swollen abdomen.
As a result of amyloidosis, hamsters will experience swelling in their internal organs and abdominal region.Although hamsters can experience abdominal swelling for a number of reasons, if the hamster is over a year old and the swelling doesn't die down, it's likely you'll consider amyloidosis.The condition of amyloidosis occurs when the hamster's body begins to produce excessive amounts of protein and deposit these in the liver and kidneys.
Step 2: Look for signs of organ failure.
Hamsters with amyloidosis often experience failure of their organs, as they swell and stop functioning.Urinary incontinence, excessive urination, and apparent dehydration are some of the telltale signs.Your hamster may stop drinking water if it's dehydrated.
Step 3: Listen to your hamster's appetite.
Older hamsters with amyloidosis show a decrease in appetite.Aging hamsters may be suffering from amyloidosis if they lose interest in their food.Take your hamster to the vet if it stops eating.
Step 4: Look at your hamster's coat.
Your hamster's coat may appear rough or patchy due to its failing appetite and internal illness.If you notice that your hamster is losing hair or its fur is becoming rougher in texture, it may have amyloidosis.
Step 5: Take your pet to the doctor.
Internal diseases are hard to diagnose because they have the same symptoms.It's important to take your hamster to see a vet.Take your hamster to the vet if you notice any changes in his behavior that last over a week.Some geriatric medical conditions are difficult to diagnose.It is impossible to cure most of them.
Step 6: If your hamster is sleepy, watch it.
There is a serious and fairly common geriatric disease called cardiac thrombosis.The disease is caused by blood clot that enters the hamster's heart.The thrombosis occurs on the left side of the hamster's heart.Lethargy is a common symptom of a cardiac problem.It is possible that your hamster is suffering from one or more blood clot.It is possible that your hamster has labored breathing and even faint.This condition is usually fatal within a week of the start of symptoms.Your hamster should be taken to the vet as soon as possible.
Step 7: You should look for a swollen abdomen or bloody discharge.
The growth of an internal tumor can be seen by either of these symptoms.There are tumors in geriatric hamsters.The small size of the tumors can be hard to find and diagnose.If you notice swelling in your hamster's belly, it could be a tumor.Older female hamsters are more likely to have uterus tumors.
Step 8: Look for signs of arthritis.
hamsters will begin to show signs of arthritisAny time after the hamster reaches a year of age, this can happen.Hamsters with arthritis may favor certain limbs or joints.Their movements may be very slow.Remove the climbing toys from the hamster's cage if it has arthritis.Climbing and running can cause arthritis in hamsters, and they can fall off of climbing toys and hurt themselves.
Step 9: The hamster has teeth that can be used for dental problems.
hamsters can develop dental problems in old age due to the amount of wear and tear on their teeth.Some teeth may fall out due to crooked or loose teeth.If an old hamster loses interest in chewing on its wooden toys, its teeth can grow long in its old age.Take the hamster to the vet if it can't eat food because of incisors.The vet will be able to trim the hamsters teeth.
Step 10: There is a coating in your hamster's eyes.
Cataracts can lead to blindness in older hamsters.Cataracts will cause the hamster's eyes to be white.hamsters can live with cataracts for a long time.The quality of life of the animals is not affected by cataracts.
Step 11: You should watch for flaky and dry skin.
As hamsters age, their coat typically starts to thin out and may wear off from some patches of skin.The skin beneath is likely to become dry and flaky after this fur is gone.Male hamsters suffer from dry, flaky skin because their aging bodies produce less testosterone.If you notice the dry skin on the hamster, you can put a few drops of cod liver oil on its food.This oil will help the skin.