How do I treat a hamster with a swollen eye?
It is something that needs to be seen by a vet. A swollen eye could be a number of different things. It could be an infection or abscess and need antibiotics, or it could be a tumour that needs removing. But you definitely need to take your hamster to a vet. In a good sized pet carrier with plenting of bedding inside, a little house to hide in, some food and a piece of cucumber as they’ll be going without water for a while.If the eye was just sticky or sore you could try bathing it, but you’d still need to see a vet really as eye infections can get out of hand. If bathing it then salt water is good, but you only need about a teaspoon of salt dissolved in about 2 pints of water. Very dilute. The easiest way is to add a teaspoon of salt to a pint of boiling water so it dissolves quickly, then add another pint of cold water to cool it down. If it’s still too hot add more cold water until it is just tepid or lukewarm - verging on the cold side. You can use a cotton bud dipped in the water but be careful not to get strands of cotton left in the eye, so change cotton buds after one use. Also you’ll need to pick a time to do it when the hamster is less active as they will wriggle and be difficult to do it without stressing them out or them hurting themselves trying to break free. Sometimes mid evening is a good time. They tend to be quite active early and late evening but can be a bit dozy and having a nap mid evening. But you know your hamster so you’ll know when their nap times are. Give them 5 or 10 minutes to wake up a bit - they can be pretty grumpy if woken!But as the eye is swollen - do see a vet. It isn’t always expensive for a visit and you’ll get good advice and know how to proceed. Sadly older hamsters do have a tendency to get tumours, but sometimes it’s a cyst that can be drained.
My Roborovski dwarf hamster has a swollen back foot, its red. What is it and what can i do? Please help.Thanks
Put some ice on it, I think he strained it running of the wheel. Don't worry is cheaper to buy a new one than take to the vet.
Why is my hamster’s belly swollen?
Several reasons, one is constipation. Put the hamster in a box with clean papertoweling. you should find urine and droppings after a short time. If not try a small feeding of fresh greens or a small pice of apple. This would get the system working in no time. Not too much though, it may cause diarreha. It could also be gas or simply it is over fed and over weight. Unfortunately it has been my experience that if your hamster remains bloated for more than a day or two, a cyst or tumor is likely. Most often these occur in hamsters of more advanced age…say two years old ( that is really old for a hamster!). A vet may be able to do some sort of surgery, but i find it a very short lenghtening of quality of life. Love them, keep them active and happy, and let them also be finally at peace
How do you treat a hamster that has a swollen stomach?
A swollen stomach (ie bloating) is usually quite serious. I would guess that the hamster is quite old (ie 18 months or over). It can be caused by a number of things. If they are starting with heart failure it can cause fluid build up in the abdomen. Also liver and kidneys can start to fail and cause fluid build up (often they drink a lot more and pee a lot more too). Tumours can also be fluid filled. If it’s a cyst it is more likely to be a lump on one side or other of the stomach rather than generalised swelling. A cyst could be treated possibly. Rarely hamsters can get Cushings disease which causes a pot belly. If the hamster is younger than two years old I would take them to the vets. But if the hammy is quite old and is not showing any signs of pain and eating, drinking and carrying on as normal, I would leave them in peace and let nature take it’s course.However, if it’s a female hamster, of any age, it could be Pyometra (infection of the womb) which can be very painful and need antibiotics and they should be taken to the vet straight away.It can be difficult to know if they are in pain as they are prey animals and are good at hiding it. If the hammy starts squeaking and/or looking hunched up and miserable then it’s probably kinder to take them to the vets to help them on their way. If they are struggling to walk then move the food and water very close to their nest. If the hammy stops eating and drinking then it can be kinder to take them to the vets also.It’s a difficult call because it can be very stressful for them being taken to the vets, but some things are a must for vet treatment. A chat with the vet on the phone might help decide.If a hamster is pregnant it shows more as wider hips and you can see baby bumps there - plus a hamster pregnancy only lasts about 16 to 20 days so if no pups then it isn’t that.
My daughter's hamster has open wounds around it's neck. Is it cancer or something as serious?
The first one appeared out of no where and looks like a big, deep hole. There's no blood, but the wound smells really bad. Just tonight I noticed a similar "wound" developing on the other side of it's neck. Like I said, it's a deep open wound that smells really bad. The hamster doesn't seem like it's in pain, but certainly seems ill. I also noticed that red spots are starting to develop on it's back legs as well. At first I thought it was trying to chew it's leg off, but I noticed that it's scratching like crazy at it. I know there's something serious here, and my daughter is already devestated by what's happening. About a week before the "wounds" appeared, it seemed to have convulsions, then pushed itself around with it's back legs dragging the front ones, but was better after and hour or so. Could this be related? What should I do? What could it be? Is it worth taking it to a vet? Any help is apprecited. Thanks all
Why does my hamsters bottom lip look swollen?
Ive had my Dwarf Hamster for about 2 months already and shes been a champ! But just recently ive noticed or what i thought was that her mouth was open. But i looked closely and it seems like her bottom lip, well more like her chin is swollen. She eats and drinks properly she has plenty of chew toys. She has a clean cage every week and she exercises normally. What may be the problem? Why does it look like her lip is soo swollen?
My hamster wont open his one eye!!?
It seems to me that what happened, was that ur Hamster probably while he was grooming himself, he ended up scratching his eye with is long nails (same thing happened to my rat*)...And since they tend to walk around on their own poop/urine at times, their nails aren't exactly "sanitized".... So when they scratch themselves, sometimes to the point that they cut themselves, then an infection can arise on the site that was accidently cut... Best thing to do is to go to the Vet, and get this evaluated for treatment.... They can also groom ur Hamster's nails, cuz afterall, they are really tiny, and u can accidently cut them.... Hope all works out for ya!!! =)
Hamster skin tear?????
My dwarf hamster got in a fight with my other dwarf hamster and I don't know how exactly it happened,however he got his skin teared right behind his ear.There hasn't been any blood since and it happened yesterday.I isolated him cleared the wound with Bedatin solution, I bathed the wound with salt water etc. He still behaves normal. However, he is sort of lethargic but he has been drinking and eating normally and when I handle him he's as lively as he used to be. Is it anything to be worried about? Will it heal on its own?
What are some tips on healing hamster wounds? My hamster has scratched himself until he balds and bleeds at that patch. He's over 2 years old.
Your hamster might have an underlying skin condition that is causing him to do that; possibly an allergy or even mites from his bedding (not uncommon if using pine or Aspen shavings). He could have an autoimmune condition or a nervous habit, too. But without treatment, it will get infected and could quickly become a major problem for his itty bitty hamster body. Find a vet in your area that treats ‘pocket pets’. Search the internet…you'll turn up a couple. Itching and sores can be serious for a little animal because of the risk of infection so a vet should be consulted. Good luck!