Hamster health issues

Author	Subject
jemma	re: biting hamster
david	re mites
donald	re: vitamin deficency
Darlene	re: paralysis
Tom	re: pregnant hamster
Jane	re: Hibernation
Kath	Dwarf hamster problem
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-- Original Message -----
From: Jane
To: info@hammysworld.com
Subject: Hibernation.

Hi.
Could you plese tell me how i would know if my syrian hamster is going into hibernation or not

thank you
jane

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Hi, Jane.
Can you give me a little more info on the environment you keep you hamster, i.e. what part of the house.
Does this part of the house get cold during the day time or night time.
How old is he etc:

Regards Hammys.

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-- Original Message -----
From: Jane
To: info@hammysworld.com
Subject: Hibernation.

yes it is a female she is about 15 months old i keep her in my bedroom which is usuall about room temperature.

thanks

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Hi, Jane.

The home seems o.k. no problems with the room temperature.

Hamsters in captivity "do not normally" hibernate. Unless the temperature drops below 50degs, then they may become sluggish, (that is they will slow down) she will stay curled up in her nest to keep warm. If it drops lower than this then she will go to sleep (in torpor) she will become difficult to wake up in the way that you can normally arouse her. In this state they will be in a very deep sleep, they will not hear you or feel you picking her up. Where as a hamster in normal sleep pattern will awake on being called, and if you touch a sleeping hamster you will frighten the living daylights out of it.

No I think your hamster is probably just getting old they do tend to sleep a lot more as they get older.

If you are in any doubt at all about her health then a visit to the vet may be wise.

Regards Hammys.

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-- Original Message -----
From: Jane
To: info@hammysworld.com
Subject: Hibernation.

thank you so much for your very fast reply she seemed her normal self over the week-end she was eating and drinking and out in her playpen.
you maybe right she does seem to be sleeping a lot longer than she normally does or used to, and taking naps more often.
thank you once again i feel a lot more assured now

jane