Is spot sick?

Question
Hi this is sam again. I rote to you a couple weeks ago about spot asking is it ok that she isnt running on her wheel and you said they usually do this in old age. But now she looks like she has troble walking and i was holding her and she couldnt barlie rise her head but would sometimes. She would just kinda lie it dowwn wherever, It makes me sad. also when i got her out she had a bice of her bedding on her nose and i had to pull it off. She isnt losing weight and squics sometimes when i hold her. not alot just one litle one. I hope she isnt sick.  so please e-mail me back by tommarow if you can.            Thanks.                     sam

Answer
hi sam,
it is quite sad as they get older.they do generally lose interest in their daily routine, as they don't have as much energy unfortunately.
i'm sorry to hear it is making you upset :(
i'm sure spot isn't ill. she is just very old and becoming weaker and weaker. thats why she can hardly lift her head and is making a dull irregular squeak.
if you can help her by wiping her fur especially round the face with a damp cotton wool pad, that would be good. she probably hasn't got enough energy to do it herself.
have you adapted her home so she finds it a bit easier to get about?
is she managing to eat and drink? if not, it might be better to give her a fresh fruit and vegetable diet now. include cucumber in bite-size pieces so she can get the water from it instead of trying to reach up to her bottle. obviously leave the bottle with water in and some of her normal food in her home, just incase she can still manage it.
also keep her home nice and clean. you'll probably find that she becomes very unbalanced in her old age.
i'm sorry that she is dying.it can be quite distressing for the owner. i know, because i've seen it myself.i'm sure she isn't ill, so just look after her.plenty of loving cuddles! unfortunately she won't be around for much longer.

hope this helps.
thanks for your question, jewel