Injured Hamster

[omz123]

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I have 2 male winter white dwarf hamsters. Today, I walk walking past the cage and noticed that one was severely damaged. He had some dried blood on his head and it appears to be damage around his left eye. As you all are probably aware that dwarf hamsters play fight a lot, however, this was the first time I actually saw damage. Instinctively, the first thing I did was take the 'attacking hamster' out and placed him in another cage. I have been advised by multiple vets on the phone to dab warm cotton wool around the damaged area 2-3 times a day for a couple of days until I see signs of him getting better, or worse.

I just wanted to get a second opinion just so I know that I have done as much research as I can to ensure his quick recovery. Has anybody else had a similar issue? If so, what is the best way to go about it?

He has been drinking and eating as normal since the damage occurred. Although, he has been moving slower, possibly due to fear. Never the less, I have attached an image of him so that you can understand my concern fully. I apologize in advance if this image disturbs anybody.

Thanks in advance

[racinghamster]

Hello omz and thanks for asking here and joining. You done the right thing by seperating your hamsters to limit anymore damage and stress on the one with the injuries. Gently bathing his wounds with saline (boil one pint of water and add one teaspoonful of salt) and let it cool right down. Once cool, use this to clean his wounds, although don`t use salt on/near his eyes at the moment as it may sting. Saline is safe, so keep using this as often as you need to. Don`t use creams or powders unless your vet advises those.

What is he fed on? It might be a good idea to add a few extras for him to keep him warm. Try adding a teaspoonful of dry porridge oats to his normal mix and if you can get some Buckwheat from tesco, soak this in boiling water (just a spoonful) let it cool and go soft and drain it. hamsters like Buckwheat soft.

How is he acting? Is he okay but wanting to sleep? make sure he has easy access to a drink and food and plenty of nesting material as it`s cold right now.

[amie]

Racinghamster has covered the points that I would have mentioned with excellent advice but thought I'd also reply to say that it is a very encouraging sign that he has been eating and drinking as normal since the fight.

He does look to be in a sorry state but they are hardy creatures and hopefully in a few days' time he will feel more like his old self.

His eye does look in a bad way. It is impossible to tell but if he does lose the sight in his eye he will be able to manage perfectly well if he only has sight in one eye. Just keep a close eye on the eye for any signs of infection and if in any doubt whatsoever take him to a vet before the holidays.

Whitish coloured hamsters always look worse when they get their fur blooded. He should be able to clean himself up after a few days but if he has any matted areas of blood left, when he feels up to being handled again you could help to soften those areas with a warm damp sponge and dab him gently with a dry towel or dry face cloth. I don’t know how used to being handled he is so that is only a suggestion and may not be appropriate in your circumstances.

I’m sure you wouldn’t do it anyway as you sound very sensible but obviously don’t ever put the 2 back together.

Best wishes to you both and do let us know how he gets on.

[samzyzg]

I can't really add to the advice which has been given. BUt I do hope a speedy recovery, I think after a bit of cleaning up he should be fine. Just watching closely and waiting is the best thing for him just now.
Its always such a shame to have to split up a pair but i'm sure they'll both enjoy being apart.
Keep us up to date on his progress

[omz123]

Thanks all for your feedback, its much appreciated.

@racinghamster- He is fed on a general mix of seeds, flakes, nuts and the other typical things you find in a mix. Yesterday, he was a bit 'slower' in his movement and seemed to be cautious, perhaps due to fear that he might get attacked again. However, later that night and today he appears to be a lot more comfortable around the cage. He appears to be drinking and eating as normal. Although, he does still appear to be a little shy and because of this, he tends to stay in his house a little longer than usual, thus making it difficult for me to bathe the injury.

@amie- Yesterday he did appear pretty rough, but today he cleaned the blood up himself so he looks much better. However, I think that a reddish scab is starting to develop around the eye. So, from this I sincerely hope that this means there was damage to the tissue around the eye and is no damage to the eye itself, thus avoiding infection. Although, that might be me thinking a little too optimistically.

@samzyzg- Thanks for your support.

A vet that I spoke to suggested that I should try to get them back together in the same enclosure. Although, I wasn't too sure how safe this actually was. He suggested gradual exposure techniques, such as, 1hr sessions, then 2hr sessions etc. Has anybody had any success with this and is it really safe?

Thanks!

[omz123]

In addition, I attempted to ensure that they don't lose each others scent. So I put one in an exercise ball for a short period of time inside the cage in which the other hamster was. They initially appeared to be a little jumpy towards each other, but after not very long they both were remaining near each other for short periods of time (didn't appear there was any malicious intent). However, as leaving the hamsters in the exercise balls for lengthy periods isnt good for them, I took him out.

The injured hamster seems to be full of much more energy. He is moving about normally and is back on his wheel.

[racinghamster]

I`m afraid the vets advice of getting them back together after this awful fighting was bad advice. Right now, the one with the injuries needs attention and peace and quiet. I would advise never puting them back together because it could just esclate the wounded hamster`s stress and Russian hamsters are prone to diabetes and stress can be a trigger.

Keep them as individual pets now and if the wounded hamster isn`t recovering too well, he may need his eye looked at by a vet and antibiotics.

Using excersize balls isn`t advisable either, especially right now while he is trying to recover from stress and the loss of his cagemate. When fight and injuries like this happen, it`s for a reason.

[amie]

Originally Posted by amie

I’m sure you wouldn’t do it anyway as you sound very sensible but obviously don’t ever put the 2 back together.

I can only reiterate what I advised yesterday. Please do not consider ever putting these 2 hamsters back together. I have many years' experience of keeping dwarf hamsters and when there is a fight like this it is the end for them living together. Please keep them in separate cages.

Glad to have an update. I was wondering how your injured hamster was getting on.

Just one last point - have you checked the other hamster carefully for any injuries below the thick fur which may not be obvious when just looking at the hamster? Do hope he's ok too.

[omz123]

Ah right okay, I will have to get another cage then. At the moment I was just keeping Brownie (the attacking hamster) in a large plastic container which I lined the same as the cage. Whitey (injured hamster) seems to be getting better as he is active again. However, when I attempted to bathe the injured area with damp cotton he wasn't too co-operative, although that is probably to be expected.
Btw, I know my names aren't very creative lol.

[omz123]

Regarding Brownie, yeah I did check on him after the fight too. I could not see anything on his back nor his front. I think it may of been a pretty one sided affair.

Your concern is appreciated