Hammy

[Member ID2]

Same here. I've just put Clive back in his cage with his pouches full of the Little One food which i hide in the dig box.

 

[Zara]

Te, he, i bet he’s had lots of fun in the dig box. I’m pretty confident it’s going to be a winner here too I’ve just given Hams a sweetcorn flavoured Yippee, he’s not had one before but I know lots of you use them. He was wiggling with excitement, didn’t know where to stop and nibble it

 

[Maz]

Mine all go bonkers for the yippees - I think they smell fruity or something.

 

[Zara]

We tried the Little One food tonight and Hams dived in. He didn’t even pouch it to start with, just sat nibbling lots of different pieces. It was a defo win!

We’ve also found a new veg favourite with peas. Can’t believe I didn’t think of these sooner, another great reason to be part of this forum with all the information exchanges thanks all

 

[Maz]

Glad Hams likes his new food and peas

 

[elusive]

That’s great that he’s found a new favourite veg & loves his new food.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw how cute Hams loved the new food and peas too!

 

[Zara]

Hi all, Hams has woken up tonight and can’t seem to open his right eye. Hes out in his pen and acting as normal, but I’m concerned. Shall I try and give it a bathe with a warm cotton wool pad? I can’t see any swelling or redness. My poor little baby, I feel so sad. Maybe he’s poked it with something from his hoard. I’ll call the vet tomorrow x

 

[Maz]

Does it just look stuck up? That is quite common when they get older. Although he's only just a year isn't he? Yes just gently bathe it - they tend to free up quite easily after a minute or two. I use the corner of a soft cloth, like a microfibre cloth - just wrung out well after being dipped in tepid water, so he doesn't get too wet. They don't like it particularly but I think they know you're trying to help and usually seem much happier afterwards when they can open it again I guess it's possible it's a change of diet but he would adjust to that. When it's open see if it looks red at all as it could be conjunctivitis if it is. Otherwise - just sticky eye.

 

[Zara]

Thanks Maz. As Hams does not really like being picked up it’s always worried me that he’ll get poorly and I can’t look at him properly. However, I’ve just turned one of his play pen boxes over and he’s hopped in so I’ve taken the opportunity with a small piece of yippee to have a look and he’s been a really good boy and let me wipe his eye and your right it has suddenly just opened up. I can’t see any stickiness or redness, he sat for what seemed like a long time to let me just stroke him so I’ve had a good look and he has now hopped back into his enclosure and is collecting up his fresh veg.

I’ve not fed the little one food tonight, thought I’d keep it for a treat and only feed say 2-3 times a week. I’m mostly still giving the Henry Hamster along with his bits of veg. Thanks for the speedy response. I’ll keep a watchful look at his eye tomorrow. .

I’ve also just removed some of the sharp seed cases from his hoard….just in case he had somehow been poked. I’ve checked around his cage for anything a bit sharp potentially, where he may have chewed at one of his bridges or a shelf, but nothing obvious, all looks good.

 

[Maz]

It sounds like just a sticky eye Like sleep in their eye. Not sure why it happens sometimes but I hope it was just a one off!

 

[Member ID2]

Can't see how a hamster mix could give a hamster a sticky eye.
Are you thinking of an allergic reaction, Maz?

My hamsters had that before that they woke and couldn't open an eye but after a while it opened by itself.
It was more of a one off thing and fine the next day.

 

[Maz]

Not sure what I meant really other than a change of diet may have had some effect.

 

[Zara]

Can't see how a hamster mix could give a hamster a sticky eye.
Are you thinking of an allergic reaction, Maz?

My hamsters had that before that they woke and couldn't open an eye but after a while it opened by itself.
It was more of a one off thing and fine the next day.

I’m just such a panicky kinda person, it really threw me. Thanks for sharing that you’ve seen this before, makes me feel more relaxed. He‘s just come out for a drink and some food and it’s still open so hopefully just a one off too

 

[Member ID2]

I’m just such a panicky kinda person, it really threw me. Thanks for sharing that you’ve seen this before, makes me feel more relaxed. He‘s just come out for a drink and some food and it’s still open so hopefully just a one off too

I know what you mean. I got worried as well the first time i came across it. I think it's because they can't tell us if anything hurts or not.

 

[elusive]

We all worry & it’s always best to ask if you’re concerned, glad it was just a sticky eye, it can be a bit worrying but a relief to know it’s nothing to worry about now.

 

[RainbowBrite]

You handled that really well Zara and how lovely Hams let you stroke him for a while. It shows how much you have bonded.

 

[Zara]

Hams has been a complete tinker this eve whilst out roaming, he was trying to chew just about everything he came across. Back in his home now and sitting in his Sputnik eating his veggies

 

[Member ID2]

Checking what's edible and what isn't.

 

[Zara]

Yep, food is definitely nos 1 in his world!

I ordered a few new tubes for Hams and have just opened the delivery box. Laughing at the size of the new extendable tube it’s a 5.5 inch opening, more rabbit sized than hamster but I’m sure he’ll love it all the same. Also brought our first sea grass tunnel, this will go in his enclosure, just hope he doesn’t nibble big holes in it.