hamster breathing heavily?

[squiddy]

hello! im very concerned about my hammy kiwi. i got her january 11 (at a petstore) when she was around 3 months old. ever since i've had her she seemed to wheeze while she was breathing but i thought she just had a cold but she never got better so now im worried she may have a chest infection or respiratory problems. this morning i pet her while she was in her house and she squeeked really loud. im going to take her to a vet hopefully tomorrow but i'd like to hear other opinions to what you think may be the issue. also, she usually sleeps all day and shes been doing that for weeks and runs on her wheel for about 15 minutes. but sometimes during the day ill see her in her house grooming. is that normal? thanks for the help!

[Thin Lizzy]

I would make an appointment at the vet, it sounds like a respiratory problem so getting her seen by the vet who'll be able to prescribe the right medication. The longer you leave it the worse it could get. It needs prescribed medication to clear it up.

[Piebald]

Hi squiddy welcome to HC. It's good to have the vet check out the wheezing. What kind of substrate are you using? Where is her cage in the room (what is it near-- a window or radiator?)
Hamsters are fairly nocturnal which means they sleep all day and wake up at night so that is normal. She will like to run on her wheel at night. What kind of Hamster is she?
You said she squeeked when you were petting her in her house. If you had disturbed her sleep in her nest inside a house in her cage I am not surprised she squeeked. Hamsters, like most people, do not really like to be woken up or have their houses invaded when sleeping! I know you meant no harm but she was likely either frightened or grumpy.
Try setting an evening time around 8 or 9 when you encourage her to come out of her house on her own with a treat. Let her come to you instead of you going into her house. If you give her the treat at the same time over time she will start to get up for the treat and you can play with her then.
Good luck at the vet let us know how you get on!

[racinghamster]

Hi squiddy. What species of hamster is Kiwi? Have you changed anything in her cage like substrate or bedding/nesting recently? What do you use for these?

If she has been exhibiting these breathing noises since you bought her from the store, she may be sensitive to the substrate you are using or it could be that she is stressed. If you can give a bit more information about these things?

Is she eating/drinking/playing and looking healthy otherwise?

[squiddy]

she is a winter white hamster (possibly a hybrid) and she always has been using carefresh as bedding. shes just in the corner of my room and theres no draft or direct sunlight or anything. and yes shes been looking healthy otherwise. im making an appointment now. thanks for all the help so far! i feel bad for waking her up though sorry about that!

[Thin Lizzy]

Squiddy good luck at the vet tomorrow and keep us posted!