KNOWING WHEN HAMSTERS ARE SICK
A healthy hamster eats well, grooms itself, runs and plays normally. It has a full, shiny coat and bright eyes. Hamsters are sturdy little animals, but poor care, an incorrect diet or an unhealthy environment can all cause illnesses. Illness can also result from poor genetics or old age. The following signs indicate that your hamster may be unwell:
1.Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is not necessarily a problem. If your hamster seems normal otherwise or if the diarrhea is watery, withhold food for 24 hours. After 24 hours, start feeding small amounts of a bland food. If the diarrhea continues after withholding food or when you resume feeding, have your pet examined by the vet.
Diarrhoea is urgent and requires immediate medical attention if your hamster.
2.Wet Tail
If your hamster's tail gets excessively wet for an extended periods, this can lead to a condition called "wet tail," which can be rapidly fatal. Early symptoms of this disease include weight loss, diarrhea and dehydration. Call your veterinarian immediately if you observe this condition.
3.Scratching or Licking or Chewing
If your hamster has mites, fleas, ticks or other parasites, he may scratch or lick that area occasionally or even bite himself. Examine his coat regularly for parasites and treat any fleas or ticks with over-the-counter medications unless the problem appears severe. Consult a veterinarian if there is no improvement.
Scratching, licking or chewing behavior requires immediate medical attention under the following conditions:
4.Panting, Coughing, Wheezing or Sneezing
If your hamster coughs or pants occasionally, he may be overheated or overexerted. Try calming him down in a temperate room and watch him carefully for signs of deterioration or distress. Severe or prolonged coughing, wheezing or panting usually indicate a need for immediate medical attention. If your hamster starts sneezing, it may just be a cold, but if he rubs his nose a lot and there is nasal discharge, call your veterinarian.
These respiratory signs indicate urgent conditions that require immediate medical attention:
5.Pain, Stiffness or Difficulty Moving
If your hamster seems stiff or if he is limping, examine him for cuts, warm spots or bruising. If everything else appears normal, keep him confined and observe him for 24 hours for signs of improvement. If you notice red, swollen skin and hair loss on the hind legs, he may have "sore hocks" and will need antibiotic ointment from your veterinarian.
You should get immediate medical attention for your hamster if he
6.Constipation
Hamsters are susceptible to disorders that can result in bowel problems and internal blockages. If your hamster appears normal but does not pass feces, he may be constipated; in a hamster, this usually requires veterinary attention. If there are other behavioral or physical symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
7.Eye and Ear Disorders
If your hamster has eye or ear problems, you may see some of the following signs:
8.Teeth Problems
When your hamster's front teeth wear improperly, they become misaligned. If his teeth are overly long or if there are jaw problems or mouth infections, ulcers may appear on his lips or tongue and he may have difficulty eating. In this case, your hamster will need to see the veterinarian for a tooth trimming and treatment.
Adapted from :http://m.petco.com/Content/Article.aspx?id=863
1.Diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is not necessarily a problem. If your hamster seems normal otherwise or if the diarrhea is watery, withhold food for 24 hours. After 24 hours, start feeding small amounts of a bland food. If the diarrhea continues after withholding food or when you resume feeding, have your pet examined by the vet.
Diarrhoea is urgent and requires immediate medical attention if your hamster.
- Exhibits weakness
- Loses weight or his appetite
- Exhibits ruffled fur
- Seems in pain or shows abdominal swelling
- Seems listless, dull or lethargic
- Has a wet tail
2.Wet Tail
If your hamster's tail gets excessively wet for an extended periods, this can lead to a condition called "wet tail," which can be rapidly fatal. Early symptoms of this disease include weight loss, diarrhea and dehydration. Call your veterinarian immediately if you observe this condition.
3.Scratching or Licking or Chewing
If your hamster has mites, fleas, ticks or other parasites, he may scratch or lick that area occasionally or even bite himself. Examine his coat regularly for parasites and treat any fleas or ticks with over-the-counter medications unless the problem appears severe. Consult a veterinarian if there is no improvement.
Scratching, licking or chewing behavior requires immediate medical attention under the following conditions:
- If it comes on suddenly and severely
- If there is inflammation or hair loss, or if the activity breaks the skin
- If there are other symptoms such as diarrhea, pain, lethargy, coughing, difficulty in moving, change in appetite or difficulty in breathing
4.Panting, Coughing, Wheezing or Sneezing
If your hamster coughs or pants occasionally, he may be overheated or overexerted. Try calming him down in a temperate room and watch him carefully for signs of deterioration or distress. Severe or prolonged coughing, wheezing or panting usually indicate a need for immediate medical attention. If your hamster starts sneezing, it may just be a cold, but if he rubs his nose a lot and there is nasal discharge, call your veterinarian.
These respiratory signs indicate urgent conditions that require immediate medical attention:
- Choking, pawing at the mouth or obvious distress-give first aid for choking and contact your veterinarian immediately
- Shallow or labored breathing
- Wheezing
- Coughing up pus, blood or pink foamy fluid
- Collapsing or fainting
5.Pain, Stiffness or Difficulty Moving
If your hamster seems stiff or if he is limping, examine him for cuts, warm spots or bruising. If everything else appears normal, keep him confined and observe him for 24 hours for signs of improvement. If you notice red, swollen skin and hair loss on the hind legs, he may have "sore hocks" and will need antibiotic ointment from your veterinarian.
You should get immediate medical attention for your hamster if he
- Is unbalanced, staggering or falling down
- Appears distressed or sensitive to light and sound-call for help with poisoning
- Is stiff all over or collapses-give first aid for seizures
- Shows any sign of limb paralysis-treat as an emergency!
- Has an obvious limb or back fracture or any open fracture (skin broken)
6.Constipation
Hamsters are susceptible to disorders that can result in bowel problems and internal blockages. If your hamster appears normal but does not pass feces, he may be constipated; in a hamster, this usually requires veterinary attention. If there are other behavioral or physical symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
7.Eye and Ear Disorders
If your hamster has eye or ear problems, you may see some of the following signs:
- Clear discharge (excess tearing) - can result from allergies, infections, irritation or eye trauma
- Cloudiness of the eyes - often results from injury or infection but can also signal cataracts, glaucoma, lens problems or simply the aging process
- Dry or bloodshot eyes - most often seen in older hamsters; can easily lead to infection; also a sign of chronic eye disease
- Failing vision - can result from retinal dysplasia, stroke, progressive retinal atrophy or aging, cataracts, glaucoma or diabetes
- Inflammation - can be caused by allergies or conjunctivitis
- Lumps or bumps in the ear - can be caused by tumors or cysts
- Yellow discharge - most often signifies infection; often follows dry eye in older hamsters
8.Teeth Problems
When your hamster's front teeth wear improperly, they become misaligned. If his teeth are overly long or if there are jaw problems or mouth infections, ulcers may appear on his lips or tongue and he may have difficulty eating. In this case, your hamster will need to see the veterinarian for a tooth trimming and treatment.
Adapted from :http://m.petco.com/Content/Article.aspx?id=863
The picture shows a hamster's teeth clearly. The bottom teeth in the picture should not be allowed to grow any longer.
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