Hamster has swollen lump, closed gooey eye...

Purplephoenix · 12-02-2014, 07:48 PM

I need some advice. My White Russian is a 9month old male. This past Thursday I noticed the right side of his face was swollen and his eye half way closed because of it. I managed to get him to a vet by the next day. Vet said his weight and heartbeat was good. There was no impaction, tooth growth, or abbesses. He said the was a slight smell and that when Jake breathed there was a clicking sound. Prescribed antibiotics. I have noticed a decrease in swelling, instead of the whole right side of the face it's now down to a lump under the eye. But jakes eye is now goofy and closed shut. I am also seeing a decrease in his food intake. He is still active and drinks fluids. I also give him a little bit of ensure with his antibiotics. But I have notice Jake excessively grooming. His fur is looking oily, his front legs and paws are bright red, and the side of the face that is swelling looks irritated from his grooming. I also believe this is why his eye is like that. Any suggestions on what I can do to get him to stop excessively grooming? I try to get him into his ball twice a day to keep him occupied. Also, what to feed him? He's picky about what he eats and I don't want him to loose too much weight.
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greysome · 12-02-2014, 10:45 PM

Are you talking about Ensure as in the shakes that come in cans and bottles? There is a ton of sugar in that and I'm not sure whether or not it can be taken with whatever antibiotic he's on. Maybe you can look at pedialyte or something else instead--I think I've heard of people giving their hammies a little pedialyte when they were unwell to help keep up hydration and some electrolytes.

I don't know about the excessive grooming but does he have access to a sand bath? I'm not sure whether it would be a good idea for an unwell hamster but am asking anyway because you said his fur is looking oily and perhaps he is grooming excessively in part because he isn't really feeling well and his face area in particular is bugging him and partly because his fur is oily. The sand should help remove excess oil.

**DrKMcK** · 12-02-2014, 11:00 PM

Pedialyte is better for hammy than the Ensure. Just fill the water bottle with it. Also try giving your hammy a bit of scrambled egg (no salt or spices on it), oatmeal, dry or cooked and chicken baby food...make sure there are no onions or garlic in it. I use Gerber Chicken and Gravy. some cooked pasta goes over well. I like ditalini since it fits hammy paws so well. Hope the little one feels better soon.

souffle · 12-03-2014, 12:37 AM

He sounds to be grooming due to pain from the affected area. The root cause of this issue needs treated before you will be able to stop the scratching at the skin as this is introducing another issue. It could be that there is an infection in a tooth root or tear duct that is causing the problem and this is very painful for them. He may need some painkillers to get him to stop annoying at it so I'd suggest another vet visit for a recheck of this. Unkempt fur is a sign of generally feeling unwell. Give plenty clean tissue and clean sand to bathe in.
I hope he improves soon

Thin Lizzy · 12-03-2014, 05:31 AM

If he doesn't get better in the next 24 hours, then make an appointment with the vet.
When they constantly groom themselves somethings wrong and I really hope he gets well soon.

Purplephoenix · 12-03-2014, 08:48 AM

[QUOTE=greysome;684955]Are you talking about Ensure as in the shakes that come in cans and bottles? There is a ton of sugar in that and I'm not sure whether or not it can be taken with whatever antibiotic he's on. Maybe you can look at pedialyte or something else instead--I think I've heard of people giving their hammies a little pedialyte when they were unwell to help keep up hydration and some electrolytes.
/QUOTE]

I am giving him Ensure because that is what the vet prescribed. I am not using Ensure to supplement anything and only use very little to mix with the antibiotics to get him to drink.

Update: He is looking a little better today. His eye is now open, not all the way but no filmy goo keeping it closed. His coat still doesn't look "clean" and his arms still look red, but other than that he still active and drinking and eating a little. I put him in his ball last night and he did not stop running around. I will be buying some baby food to see if I can get his weight up more but he has always been a picky eater. The vet also suggested to buy some unfiltered, unpasteurized apple cider viniger and put a few drops in his water to get him more nutrients, which should help with his coat.

Thank you everyone for all of the amazing suggestions and support! I am still keeping a close eye on him in case anything changes.

Purplephoenix · 12-03-2014, 08:51 AM

Also, the vet checked his cheek pouch for any signs of impaction, abscesses, tumors, or tooth root but said he saw nothing. He said there was a slight smell and thought that maybe he had a small cut that was becoming infected, thus the antibiotics.

Purplephoenix · 12-03-2014, 07:35 PM

Update: hey guys. So things have taken a turn for the worse. I've been gone all day and just got back. It seems over the course of hours Jake has gone downhill fast. I will be surprised it he survives the night. If he does I will try to get him to a vet but I believe it will only to let him go.came home to see him sitting in his food dish. His swollen eye now looks like it may pop and he keeps his head titled to the side. He can't walk straight or stand straight. He just falls over. He's very lethargic. I feel helpless because there's nothing open at this time and nothing for me to relieve his pain. Thank you to all who has been so helpful and kind.

greysome · 12-03-2014, 07:59 PM

oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that. I don't know about illnesses in hamsters but I think it sounds as if he may have had a stroke--the lethargy, head tilt and loss of balance. I'm sure someone more familiar with strokes or hamster illnesses will come by and can tell you more as well as what the appropriate actions are. I would only suggest to maybe keep him warm and perhaps feed him baby food and water. Is he able to feed himself? If not, you may need to handfeed.

**DrKMcK** · 12-03-2014, 10:05 PM

Oh no! This is far more than just an infection. I am so sorry to see this post. The poor little hammy.