How to Treat a Sick Hamster
March 15th 2010 15:23
Depending on what is wrong with your hamster, the treatment will vary. For example, an anti-fungal will treat a ringworm but it won't have much effect on a common cold or an allergy. In order to treat your hamster, you need to figure out what is wrong with him.
What are your hamster's symptoms? Is he sleeping more than usual? Is he still eating or has he lost his appetite? Has he stopped grooming himself? Does the hamster have any bald spots? Is he more irritable? Does he have problems moving around? Does he move slowly when he does move? Is he still using his wheel and exercising? Does the hamster have a runny nose or any discharge from his yes? Are the stool droppings loose, watery, or dry?
Keep in mind that older hamsters will experience bald patches, and older hamsters will sleep more than younger hamsters. Older hamsters may also have more trouble moving around. If your hamster is over a year and a half, age could be the cause of your hamster's disabilities.
If you strongly feel that your hamster is suffering some sort of illness, then you need to have him diagnosed so that you can get him treated.
Common illnesses and treatments may include the following:
* Broken Bone- signs may include a limp, swelling, lack of movement, lethargy, crankiness; remove all exercise equipment and tunnels from the enclosure; consider putting the hamster in an aquarium with paper towels until the bone has healed.
* Common cold- symptoms may include a stuffy nose, sneezing, runny nose, irritability; offer cod-liver on small pieces of bread.
* Constipation- symptoms may include lack of stool, crankiness, and lack of appetite; ensure that there is water in the hamster's water bottle at all times and offer carrots or other fresh fruits and vegetables.
* Diarrhea- signs include loose and watery stool droppings; reduce the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables that you're offering. Add a little alfalfa hay to the diet.
* Teeth problems- signs may include trouble eating, lack of appetite, and irritability; offer dry milk as it helps most dental problems
* Wet-tail- symptoms may include a wet bottom, diarrhea, hunched back, irritability, and slower moving; treatment will consist of dry-tail or a prescribed antibiotic from the vet. You should also clean the cage with a mild disinfectant.
You want to try to prevent your hamster from getting sick, as prevention is much easier than treatment. Plus, preventing an illness is cheaper than treating one.
* Wash and dry your hands before handling your hamster
* Keep your hamster out of cold, drafty rooms
* Make sure if you bathe your hamster, you thoroughly dry him (baths are not ideal)
* Make sure that your hamster has chew blocks to help file down his teeth.
* Keep the cage clean
* Reduce stress
* Keep treats to a minimum. Your hamster's diet should not consist of more than 10% treats.
* Make sure your hamster has water available at all times
* Frequently check your hamster's mouth for overgrown teeth, cracks and teeth deformaties
* Avoid using wire exercise wheels
What are your hamster's symptoms? Is he sleeping more than usual? Is he still eating or has he lost his appetite? Has he stopped grooming himself? Does the hamster have any bald spots? Is he more irritable? Does he have problems moving around? Does he move slowly when he does move? Is he still using his wheel and exercising? Does the hamster have a runny nose or any discharge from his yes? Are the stool droppings loose, watery, or dry?
Keep in mind that older hamsters will experience bald patches, and older hamsters will sleep more than younger hamsters. Older hamsters may also have more trouble moving around. If your hamster is over a year and a half, age could be the cause of your hamster's disabilities.
If you strongly feel that your hamster is suffering some sort of illness, then you need to have him diagnosed so that you can get him treated.
Common illnesses and treatments may include the following:
* Broken Bone- signs may include a limp, swelling, lack of movement, lethargy, crankiness; remove all exercise equipment and tunnels from the enclosure; consider putting the hamster in an aquarium with paper towels until the bone has healed.
* Common cold- symptoms may include a stuffy nose, sneezing, runny nose, irritability; offer cod-liver on small pieces of bread.
* Constipation- symptoms may include lack of stool, crankiness, and lack of appetite; ensure that there is water in the hamster's water bottle at all times and offer carrots or other fresh fruits and vegetables.
* Teeth problems- signs may include trouble eating, lack of appetite, and irritability; offer dry milk as it helps most dental problems
* Wet-tail- symptoms may include a wet bottom, diarrhea, hunched back, irritability, and slower moving; treatment will consist of dry-tail or a prescribed antibiotic from the vet. You should also clean the cage with a mild disinfectant.
* Wash and dry your hands before handling your hamster
* Keep your hamster out of cold, drafty rooms
* Make sure if you bathe your hamster, you thoroughly dry him (baths are not ideal)
* Make sure that your hamster has chew blocks to help file down his teeth.
* Keep the cage clean
* Reduce stress
* Keep treats to a minimum. Your hamster's diet should not consist of more than 10% treats.
* Make sure your hamster has water available at all times
* Frequently check your hamster's mouth for overgrown teeth, cracks and teeth deformaties
* Avoid using wire exercise wheels
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