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Old 11-17-2019, 09:53 AM   #1
Petite
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Default Biting

My winter white bit me a couple of weeks back, and broke the flesh for the first time ever. It's not her fault - I had just fed her, and still had the scent of the food on my fingers. Also, she is blind in one eye and seems to be very short-sighted in the other.

If she tries again, is it enough just to wash the wound? Also, does anybody know whether hamster bites can cause any kind of symptoms in humans?

Many thanks in advance for any advice.
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Old 11-17-2019, 10:06 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Biting

I've been properly bitten a few times and wash the wound with soap and warm water. Hamster bites are harmless and cause not symptoms in humans as far as i know.
Never really thought about this to be honest.
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Old 11-17-2019, 10:30 AM   #3
Petite
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Default Re: Biting

Thanks for your reply, Ria. That was my understanding too.
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Old 11-17-2019, 01:58 PM   #4
Flossypet
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Default Re: Biting

I find it very annoying that whenever my hand smell of any kind of food my hamster 'tastes' it!
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Old 11-17-2019, 03:11 PM   #5
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Biting

My hamster bit me on the ear last year and drew blood. I had been baking with nuts and seeds, and had rubbed my ears - so my own fault - she thought i was food. (I was laying on the floor when she did it and she was free roaming!)

I checked with my dr's and he said because i had my tetnus jab when i was younger it would be fine and I didn't need a booster (opinions have seemed to change on boosters now and they are not thought necessary). It's the bacteria that can cause you issues, so just make sure you flush it out very well. So yes, there is the 'potential' that you can get something from a hamster bite but it would have to be a deep wound and you just left it and did nothing with it. I do however think this would be very rare and not something to worry about too much.
'Tetanus is caused by a toxin made by spores of bacteria, Clostridium tetani, found in soil, dust and animal feces. When the spores enter a deep flesh wound, they grow into bacteria that can produce a powerful toxin, tetanospasmin. The toxin impairs the nerves that control your muscles (motor neurons)'
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Old 11-17-2019, 03:15 PM   #6
Vierville
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Default Re: Biting

They don't mean it in a nasty way...hamsters have very poor eyesight and rely on their other senses, particulatly smell, so if your hand smells like food there is every chance that they will give it an exploratory nip.

Hamster bites, as stated above, are almost certain to have no side effects if you wash the wound thoroughly with soap and water but if you are concerned then maybe apply some antibacterial cream or swab the site with a little antiseptic liquid such as dettol or similar. I've been bitten by a field mouse and a rat before while trying to rescue them from cats and washed the wound thoroughly with no ill effects. Ironically, when I was bitten by a cat once I ended up with a severe infection requiring antibiotics, tetanus shot and a drain.

My one little one, Nanuk, Countess of Argouges, tends to bite and has broken the skin with both myself and her vet but I've never had a problem with infection at all as a result.

Last edited by Vierville; 11-17-2019 at 03:20 PM.
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