Narcoleptic hamster?

Question
Hi Katie,

My partner and I brought home a hamster today.  She seemed to be acting fine at the pet store, however she keeps on falling asleep where ever she is.  At first we thought this was because of the traumatic experience of being taken from her brothers and sisters and being brought home (she was falling asleep in her carry box) but it has been going on all day.  She has slept curlted up in her new bed, for about 4 hours so i don't think she can be tired...but she just keeps on falling asleep.  For example if she is running in her wheel, she will just stop, fall asleep (standing up) then in about 30 seconds-2 minutes later she will just wake up and carry on doing whatever it was she was doing!  This has happened on and off every 5-10 minutes for the last 2 hours.

Many thanks,

Darren and Leah

Answer

     This can be caused from the stress from the move. Since she is still quite young, she will ahve bursts of energy followed by a spell of sleepiness. She should grow out of this. Observe her over the next two weeks, if she doesn't improve notify me again.

Thanks for writing