Im worried about my hamster

Question
I think he may be sick. I am unsure about his age because he is a hand me down from someone who was moving. I've had him about a year now though and he was about full grown when I got him.
A few months ago he cut his foot (I'm assuming on his metal wheel after his plastic one broke). For awhile it was red, swollen and sometimes looked like a crater. I nursed it until he seemed to be okay (the swelling and redness went away) and I gave him back his wheel. It would continue swelling randomly and I would take away the wheel and nurse it again until it went away.
Lately it's been better and hasn't been swollen, but now he seems to have lost him oomph, isn't as active as he used to be, and he's been pooping quite a bit more than usual. I've noticed also that his pellets are a different color than they should be (more of a green instead of the usual almost black color). He's nipped at me a few times (which is very unlike him since he's the most docile thing in the world), has been squeeking randomly, and his color in his nose isn't as pink. I'm really worried about him and I can't really afford to take him to the vet. Do you think he is sick or maybe just getting old? Please help. Thank you.

Answer
hi brigid,

it sound like your hamster might be allergic to something on that metal wheel, so id change it for a plastic one.

it also sound like he is getting wet tail or a cold, either way he needs to see a vet asap for antibiotics, until you can try and see a vet (i know you said you cant really afford it but i also know you'll do your best) clean out his cage THOROUGHLY with anti bacterial spray for small animal cages. including his ball, wheel and any toys he night have, give his water bottle a good soak in boiling water too to get rid of any infection in his cage.

good luck with this and thank you for your question, please ask again if you need to and let me know how you get on.

joanne :)