Wasp attack

[isabeloola]

I just heard the most horrendous shrieking from my Chinese hams and ran over to check and found a wasp buzzing about trapped in their cage. We got it out, but I was just wondering if anyone knows how hamsters will react to a wasp sting and whether I should be concerned for their health?

[racinghamster]

First thing I would say ask is, do you think any of the hamsters got stung? Or were they just reacting to the insect being in their cage? How are they now, settled again?

I would imagine any sting might cause shock or a reaction, so depending on whether any of your hamsters actually got stung, I would check both of them and watch that they are not behaving strangely. Hunched or breathing patterns change. If they do, get to a vet quickly. Sorry to hear they had a fright like that but insects do tend to get in sometimes so it`s a case of get them out quick.

[isabeloola]

I've only had them a couple of days so they were too scared for me to look at them properly but I will look out for those signs thank you! Thanks for the quick response, I'm hoping they were just scared cos I doubt they've seen a wasp before but better safe than sorry

[racinghamster]

Yes, they may just have heard the loud `buzz` coming from the wasp if it got too close and they screeched in reaction to the predator, as they seen it. Hope they are okay. Must have given you a fright. x

Allow them to settle again and watch them closely later on just to make sure they are fine.

[DrKMcK]

Wow, that had to be scary! Poor little hams. To them the wasp must have been huge! Hope they're okay now.

[isabeloola]

Thanks for all the advice and concern
None of my hamsters were stung luckily, but it did cause tensions between them, so one of the three had to move out to new cage Better they're happy though I suppose!

[racinghamster]

I`m pleased to hear they are all fine. But concerning the separation of one of a trio? Chinese hamsters rarely live together, especially females, so the chances are if you still have a pair living together, they might end up separated as well. But monitor things closely.

[isabeloola]

Yeah I'm keeping a close eye! They are boys and have lived together for five months happily so I'm hoping they will be ok. Bit concerning they turned on poor Benny though

[racinghamster]

Yes, it`s a shame the wasp had to stir things up within their ranks. Although they may have already been volatile without you actually noticing and Chinese hamsters can attack badly with no real warning, so it`s probably a good thing that Benny is on his own now where he won`t come to any harm from his cage mates. What cages or tanks do you use for them? Not sure if your in the UK or elsewhere.

[isabeloola]

Hey, sadly my hamster Mao went crazy and attacked his brother Chen too Luckily due to your heads up we kept a spare cage we had so we could separate them quickly.
I am in the UK, yes They were in the standard Duna thing they sell at pets at home with the level taken out (I'm not sure if I spoke to you on another thread?) Now Benny and Chen have one of those each and Mao is in a rotastak. Suppose my response is a bit useless now I've had to separate them anyway! ^^;