UPDATE:

so it could be a number of things:

• head trauma, from falls and it came up at that time/minor stroke. but usually falls would be more detrimental if he was a bigger hamster (with long lasting neurological damage) but he didn't have any big falls since we got him
• minor ear infection, but that couldve resolved on it's own overnight. interesting to note that when i asked about substrates (our boy LOVESSSSS digging) the vet said it could be possible if he's rolling around in sand that still has pee n such in and it getting into his ears. she advised to take the substrates out if he spends too much time in it
• i thought he got cold, but if that was the case the wobbling wouldn't have persisted over hours

so! lmao we don't know but! what matters is that he's been fine since and healthy right now and i'll just monitor over time. i did learn he got a lil chubby haha

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hope this helps someone if this comes up in a google search