2 hammys with probable health problems?

kairia · 07-22-2014, 03:19 AM

I was given 2 female dwarf hamsters unexpectedly and I've now had them for several months. My concerns are that one of them has lost most of the fur on its back and now has a clear/milkyness in one eye. She lost the fur a few months ago and it hasn't grown back and her skin is a little red. The other one I think was attacked. I looked into their cage one night and she had a huge wound on her right shoulder. I didn't know what to do and it was also like 2 a.m. so I separated them and truthfully didn't expect her to live through the night. Yet a few weeks later it's mostly scabbed over and she seems fine. When I separated them I only have 1 cage so I filled a cardboard box with bedding and food. The only problem is I only have 1 water bottle and I don't know whether I should switch the hamsters every few hours or move thebottle back and forth . I think I need some advice.

souffle · 07-22-2014, 06:59 AM

It sounds like they have been fighting and overgrooming each other and they may also have mites which can be brought on by stress.
A cardboard box is not a suitable home for a hammy as it could easily chew out. Can you get a plastic storage bin as at least this is more secure.
All animals MUST have access to clean fresh water at all times so you need to get another bottle or if you cannot afford this then search the house for a small dish or bowl that you can use. You could even find a small plastic drink bottle and cut the base off to make a dish maybe?
You should not switch cages though as this is stressful for the hamster as they will smell the other one all the time and be on edge. Ideally another cage and bottle are needed.
I hope you can manage this.
She could do with a vet visit to check her skin out really. Could you manage to see a vet?

racinghamster · 07-22-2014, 07:32 AM

Agree with everything souffle suggested. You have already separated the hamsters which was vital. Just use the following for the hamster in the cardboard box!

1. Look for a clear storage box. Poundstretcher and such places sell these, so do Asda and Tesco quite cheaply. If the storage box is tall enough, you won`t need the lid on right now until it is meshed or you have the time to do that DIY on the lid. It`s rather warm at the moment anyhow, so it`s best to keep the lid off.

2. A metal jar lid or a ceramic pot plant stand or anything that is shallow that can`t be tipped over, can be used as a water bowl. The hamster will know what to do. But it`s essential that both hamsters have a good water source. Scatter some food around the cage for them too. But DON`T cage swap.

3. Mix up some saline (Add a teaspoon of salt to one pint of boiled, COOLED water) and use this to apply to any cuts. The sticky eye could be due to infection or could clear on it`s own if the hamster has been stressed. Some peace and quiet and sleep may be the tonic this little one requires, although gently bathing the eye/eyes to clean them with a wetted cotton ball might be needed if the eye is sticking shut.

Last question....are these Chinese female hamsters by any chance? Or Russian dwarf hamsters?