Your daughters hamster is most likey very old. When this happens, i would just try your best to make him happy until he passes. This is normal. Hope I help and that this advice isn't too late.
Spencer Girl 15
its got asthma
dying
It may be that he has gone into hibernation, I have had this before with my hamster. I was advised to warm him up and to have water there for him. If you think he may be hibernating check out: http://ww.hamsterific.com/HamsterUniversity/HamsterHibernation.html
These are diaphragm and externa intercostal muscles in quiet breathing and sternocliedomastoid ,sclene muscles,anterior serrati in heavy breathing
heavy breathing occurs to breathe out the acid (CO2) in an attempt to correct the acidosis.
Hamsters are nocturnal, which means they sleep in their nests during the day and come out at night while you are sleeping. Some hamsters are very heavy sleepers too. As long as the hamster is breathing, don't worry about it - he is definitely coming out at night for food and water. If you are concerned that your hamster may be ill, please take him to see a vet.
not that heavy probably just about 2 ounces because a mouse weighs only one ounce
heavy breathing as you call it , in an engine would mostly be caused by a filthy air cleaner or a blocked air intake
It will be unbalanced and unable to run without heavy vibration as a result.
use a heavy, hard plastic or metal.
When your hamster feels heavy that may mean she is putting weight to stay on your hand or ground but when they are in air or being accidentally droped they reduce the weight and become lighter to reduce the chance of fall damage.
Yes, breathing heavy is the body trying to recover more oxygen. It happens during exercise such as running as your body tries to recover the lost oxygen.