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Old 09-17-2006, 05:08 AM   #1
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Default Sick Hamster

The neighbour's cat got in the house, & got hold of my hamster.

He seemed OK, apart from a couple of minor claw marks & a torn ear.

I cleaned the wounds, & took him to the vets in the morning (it happened at night).

In the morning he wasn't well at all, & the vet gave him Baytril. He was off his food for a while, so I had to give him baby food with a syringe, as well as water.

He gradually improved over a few weeks, & started eating & drinking on his own. The vet gave him steroids, to give him a boost.

After a while, he had improved so much, I didn't have to use the syringe any more, & the vet took him off steroids.

For the next couple of weeks he remained the same, & then he started to go downhill again. I've had to start with the syringe again, & he's back on steroids.

He's been holding his own for the past couple of weeks, but over the course of the last day he's got weaker.

Does anyone have any experience of this, or any advice ?

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Old 09-17-2006, 05:23 AM   #2
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Hi. Well your hamster sounds as though it's been stressed by this cat and in turn, this has resulted in the hamster being susceptible to illness brought on by stress and injury.

Steroids are usually given short term as they can lower the animals immune system. The Baytril is a broad spectrum antibiotic, so as long as this has been helpful, it shouldn't have done any harm. I would make sure the hamster has a probiotic added to either water or soft food because the Baytril antibiotic will have lowered the good bacteria in the gut as well.

If this cat has given the hamster a bacterial infection, it may be impossible to detect which strain this is. Was the hamsters ear bloodied at all?

I would try and boost hamsters immune system by feeding a good probiotic like AviPro Plus, which can help a stressed animal. It contains glucose, so must be changed daily in the drinking water. It will also replace vital electrolytes, which antibiotics kill off.

Let us know how he/she is doing? Your vet can get you AviPro, or you can give some live yoghurt in the meantime if hamster will lick at it. Where are you based? U.K or U.S?
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Old 09-17-2006, 05:37 AM   #3
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Hi - sorry to hear what has happened to your hamster. I'd agree with racinghamster and just make sure the little one has food and water close by. A shock like that can be very upsetting and stressful and so I'd try and ensure he is kept in a quiet environment. I'd maybe add some extra plain toilet roll to his nest to help keep him comfortable. I really hope he starts to improve.......
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Old 09-17-2006, 06:21 AM   #4
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Sorry to hear about your little hamster I'd offer advice but I can see that a few of my members have already given some great advice and there is not a great deal I can add. I wonder if at this point it hasn't anything to do with the cat? From the way you describe it sounds as though some time has passed since the incident, a few weeks you said? I wonder if this is a seperate problem, possibly because of a low immune system like racinghamster has suggested?

Anyway, good luck to you and your ham, please keep us informed.
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Old 09-17-2006, 06:40 AM   #5
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Hope he gets better, I would hate that to happen to my hamster. . .keep us updated on his progess
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Old 09-17-2006, 07:21 AM   #6
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I hope he gets better very soon. As racinghamster has said it looks like his immune system was lowered due to the stress. Also, steroids have that effect too (if that's already been said by someone just ignore me ) How old is he?
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Old 09-17-2006, 02:22 PM   #7
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A little natural yogurt with live bio cultures, and some Harry Hamster Mix with added prebiotics will also be beneficial in addition to the AviPro Plus in his water. Some wheatgerm or wheat flour sprinkled on his food will also help give his gut flora a boost.
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Old 09-18-2006, 03:11 AM   #8
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It is possible that there may have been some internal injuries which were not visible. Bruising and such like can take some time to heal up and often if a small animal is in pain and shock it just curls up and gives up on everything. You have done so well to get the little one through the initial shock and the suggestions about building up the immune system are good. I think he also needs his confidence restored so lots of gentle, quiet cuddles in a calm environment might help. I hope so poor little lamb. Best wishes for his recovery.
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Old 09-22-2006, 04:27 AM   #9
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Pixelrat, are there any updates? we havnt heard from you. How is the ham getting along? Please keep us informed!
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