Really fat or sick?

Question
My daughters hamster is about 3 yrs old and recently we have noticed that she seams really fat. I mean she's really big in the stomach and waddles when she walks. She is eating and drinking normally but she does not run her wheel or climb her tube anymore and hasn't for a while either. Could she be sick and should we have her looked at by a vet?

Answer
Samantha thank you for writing.  This is a medical related question that I cannot answer to the full potential you may be seeking. It is hard to say if it is more than her getting fat or getting sick, because this is hard to diagnose without looking at the hamster. However, judging by the age of the hamster I would say she is just senile.  The average hamster (given the average diet) would live an average of 1000 days, and that is usually slightly under three years.  There are occasions when a hamster will surpass his/her life expectancy, kind of like when a human surpasses the age of 100.  This said I do believe your hamster could just be reaching the end of her line.  And although I do generally recommend taking a hamster to a vet when conditions do arise, I believe it would be best for you to enjoy the time you all have with your pet, and it is a great feat to have such a healthy hamster for such a long time, something very few owners have had the privilege of doing. This is all I can provide as far as advise or answers are concerned.  I do  wish you all good luck and good health!