How to take care of blind albino hamster?

[Danny]

Hi everyone, (hope this is the right section, wasn't sure exactly where to put it...)

Yesterday, I adopted/rescued/whatever-you-want-to-call-it 4 campbell's russian dwarfs. This had all been expected for over a month, so I knew how to take care of them, but what I didn't know was that I was going to be getting an albino hamster who has one eye shut and will likely be completely blind eventually as well as getting the runt of the litter. So I am just curious if there is any special way to take care of them? The albino (female) is living with another female and the runt (male) with another male.

Thanks!

[racinghamster]

Hi Danny. I`m not all that experienced with hamster ailments and will let some of the other members try to help you with this. I just wanted to say that if you do suspect she is blind or has an eye infection, you should keep everything within easy reach for her like a low sided food dish (I use ceramic plant pot holders - the drip trays that plant pots sit inside to catch water) as food dishes. Not the tall sided small animal food dishes sold in pet stores.

Also, your water bottles should be low down and within easy reach for dwarf hamsters like Campbells.

Did the previous owner say why her eye is like this? Is she a youngster who was born like this? Campbells are prone to diabetes which you probably already know, so avoid feeding them any fruit or mixes that contain sugar or molasses. Read the labels on foods carefully because this will help them long term.

[KatiePillow]

For the blind/poorly sighted -
keep the layout essentially the same every cage clean out
only ever do a partial clean, I take about a third of the cleaner substrate and put it in a box, wash the cage out, put 2/3 clean substrate in and return the original stuff and mix it in.
I always talk to my little man before I enter his cage, so he knows I am there
Never grab it. (you'll most likely get bitten)
I always pick alfie up from the same place in his cage, I tap on his shelf lightly and he comes up and climbs on.
I often show who I am by offering a bit of food for him.

When taming alfie we just fed him millet, but you do have to be confident.

edit: this is just what worked for me

[fluffymunchkins]

Hamsters cope well with poor sight as they rely mainly on their sense of smell and hearing anyway.
Avoid letting her run around on anything high (e.g.table or bed), low toys and a single level cage would be safest.
But like said it would be best to take to the vet if it needs treatment