Poorly little hammy

[macex]

Hey guys, I am desperately looking for advice. My hamster has been acting very strange today. He is sleeping in unusual places, he is shaking and breathing very strangely. I have managed to hold him once but he is not his usual friendly self. Also, his body feels stiff almost, I’m not too sure how to describe it. He is sleeping like this for 10 minute periods and then he is walking around and finding a different spot, he is very unsettled. Has anyone experienced anything similar with their hammys? Thanks

 

[Maz]

I am so sorry to hear this. How old is he? It does sound like he is unwell, especially if he's having breathing problems and may need to see a vet. Depending on his age, this is also something that can happen when a hamster is dying. However they can also be suffering and don't always go quickly, so you may need to see a vet anyway. Another possibility is if the room is a bit cold. If he's starting to go into torpor maybe.

 

[macex]

I am so sorry to hear this. How old is he? It does sound like he is unwell, especially if he's having breathing problems and may need to see a vet. Depending on his age, this is also something that can happen when a hamster is dying. However they can also be suffering and don't always go quickly, so you may need to see a vet anyway. Another possibility is if the room is a bit cold. If he's starting to go into torpor maybe.

Maz I really appreciate your response. We are so worried. He is only one year and 3 months ( give or take a few weeks).

 

[Maz]

So he's not that old then. Dwarf hamsters can develop some genetic conditions younger than some hamsters occasionally - diabetes is one. I'm guessing the room temperature is warm enough? Is he actually eating and drinking? The way he's sitting with his eyes half closed he does seem to either be in pain or feeling unwell. I'd suggest you take him to the vets in the morning. I don't know what else to suggest at the moment other than keep the room warm enough and keep him comfortable. Have you tried lifting him out to hold him/cuddle him? Just wondering how he'd react?

If he's 15 or 16 months it could be some genetic thing. Sometimes dwarf hamsters don't quite make it to 18 months. But I do hope it's something treatable - he might have a respiratory infection and antibiotics would be prescribed then.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Good luck, I hope things turn out OK. He is a sweet little hamster. It is best to see the vet as soon as possible.

 

[macex]

So he's not that old then. Dwarf hamsters can develop some genetic conditions younger than some hamsters occasionally - diabetes is one. I'm guessing the room temperature is warm enough? Is he actually eating and drinking? The way he's sitting with his eyes half closed he does seem to either be in pain or feeling unwell. I'd suggest you take him to the vets in the morning. I don't know what else to suggest at the moment other than keep the room warm enough and keep him comfortable. Have you tried lifting him out to hold him/cuddle him? Just wondering how he'd react?

If he's 15 or 16 months it could be some genetic thing. Sometimes dwarf hamsters don't quite make it to 18 months. But I do hope it's something treatable - he might have a respiratory infection and antibiotics would be prescribed then.

It has been cold here but I wouldn’t say that the room temperature has been particularly cold. The coldest days we had were maybe Sunday and Monday, and all of this has seemed to have happened on Thursday.

I haven’t seen him eat, he usually loves half a mealworm or a nut and I’ve offered but he won’t take it. He’s also not drinking much. I wet my finger and he look a few licks but he wasn’t Interested after that.

This morning he is just the same, sitting in open corners and shaking. I’ve managed to coax him out of his corner and held him, he was very lethargic and just wanted to get back to his cage.

I am going to contact the vet when they open and try to get him in asap. He’s only such a small little thing but I love him so much! I hope he is going to be ok. I’ll give you guys an update later.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Good luck with your little Hammy

 

[macex]

Just a little update guys,

I managed to get hammy in to the vets this morning. It was a real struggle trying to get him out of his cage and he was very reluctant. We got him there and he didn’t want to come out of his carry cage and wasn’t complying with the vet, he just wanted to hide away.

The vet checked his heart and lungs, felt for any masses, felt his abdomen and checked his eyes, teeth and ears. The vet wasn’t too sure what was wrong with him as there wasn’t any immediate concerns. The vet said that it may be some sort of infection as Hamet did have watery eyes and some crusts around his nose.

We have been sent away with an anti-biotic and an anti-inflammatory which he needs to take two times a day. The vet also suggested giving him some baby food as this might perk him up. When we got home, I put him in his cage and let him settle for a while and then I gave him a pea sized amount of baby food with his medicines mixed in and he ate all of it without hesitation!! He is currently in his sand bath and acting how he was before he was unwell. I think the baby food has really perked him up!

I am so glad that he seems to be improving. And I want to thank you guys for your support last night

 

[Steve]

That great news. Such a cute little hammy, glad he seems to be on the mend.

 

[Maz]

I really hope the meds do the trick. It’s good he took them in baby food because although the pain relief tastes nice, the antibiotic is quite bitter - but good to hear he ate all the baby food up .

I’m glad he’s getting some pain relief as you wouldn’t want to worry about him being in pain. Sometimes they need to stay on it at this age - could be toothache or arthritic jaw or anything really. It’s also an anti inflammatory.

 

[Maz]

Do keep letting us know how he goes

 

[macex]

Another update guys

So we came back from the vets and Hamet was fine. He had his antibiotics and puree and really perked up. I’ve just checked on him and found that his eye is completely ‘glued’ shut. I’m not too sure if it’s gunk or swollen. He has been sitting in his sand bath and he has been scratching his eye. Do you think it’s best if I remove the sand bath for a while? I’m worried that the sand may be getting in his eye and irritating it further. Also, is there any way I can stop him from scratching the eye?

I’m really hoping the antibiotics help!

 

[Maz]

Thank you for letting us know Ah yes I can see one eye is stuck shut. You can just bathe that with the corner of a soft cloth dipped in tepid water. Trying to make sure the hamster doesn't get wet! I dip the corner of something like a microfibre cloth in water that's only just warm, wring it out, and just gently dab the eye. It can take a few dabs and then it just frees up. If it's just stuck closed then leaving the sand bath should be ok if he likes it. I hope he starts to feel better soon after the antibiotics See what the eye looks like after it's freed up. They don't like having it dabbed up but are usually much happier once it's open again and that should stop him scratching at it as well.

 

[macex]

Thank you for letting us know Ah yes I can see one eye is stuck shut. You can just bathe that with the corner of a soft cloth dipped in tepid water. Trying to make sure the hamster doesn't get wet! I dip the corner of something like a microfibre cloth in water that's only just warm, wring it out, and just gently dab the eye. It can take a few dabs and then it just frees up. If it's just stuck closed then leaving the sand bath should be ok if he likes it. I hope he starts to feel better soon after the antibiotics See what the eye looks like after it's freed up. They don't like having it dabbed up but are usually much happier once it's open again and that should stop him scratching at it as well.

Amazing thanks so much for the advice Maz I will definitely give this a go when he wakes up I am so greatfull for all of your help!

 

[macex]

Good morning all!

I am so happy to say that we now have a hammy that (seems to be) back to full health! His eyes are now completely opened and gunk free thank god. He is also running around like there is no tomorrow! You can tell by this photo, I couldn’t get him to sit still

 

[Socks' Mum]

Excellent news! So great to see those little eyes shining

 

[Maz]

Oh that's great news! They are visibly happier once the eyes are unstuck And maybe the antibiotic and pain relief is working. Keep giving the antibiotic for the full course though because if stopped early, any infection can come back with a vengeance and then become immune to the antibiotic. I'm sure you know that though Is it metacam he's having as well? (Pain relief). That can sometimes give them a new lease of life if they are getting aches and pains It's the equivalent to Ibuprofen for humans - pain relief and anti inflammatory.

 

[grommit217]

Just a little update guys,

I managed to get hammy in to the vets this morning. It was a real struggle trying to get him out of his cage and he was very reluctant. We got him there and he didn’t want to come out of his carry cage and wasn’t complying with the vet, he just wanted to hide away.

The vet checked his heart and lungs, felt for any masses, felt his abdomen and checked his eyes, teeth and ears. The vet wasn’t too sure what was wrong with him as there wasn’t any immediate concerns. The vet said that it may be some sort of infection as Hamet did have watery eyes and some crusts around his nose.

We have been sent away with an anti-biotic and an anti-inflammatory which he needs to take two times a day. The vet also suggested giving him some baby food as this might perk him up. When we got home, I put him in his cage and let him settle for a while and then I gave him a pea sized amount of baby food with his medicines mixed in and he ate all of it without hesitation!! He is currently in his sand bath and acting how he was before he was unwell. I think the baby food has really perked him up!

I am so glad that he seems to be improving. And I want to thank you guys for your support last night

I'm so glad he seems better, I was scared to keep reading x