URGENT poorly ham!

[Lozz]

Hello everyone,
My friend's hamster is poorly and she is very reluctant to take him to the vets, I suspect because of the cost (I have offered to pay and impressed the importance of veterinary care over and over but don't seem to be getting anywhere).

He is a Syrian who is approximately 18 months old, give or take a little, and he does look a bit underweight. He had an eye shut, which apparently happens every few days and looked like the sticky eye that older hamsters can get. Apparently he is still eating and drinking. When I saw him he was very slow and reluctant to move, mostly sitting next to her on the couch, so I put my ear to his back the way the veterinary nurse showed me and his breathing sounded odd: only slightly wheezy but a bit sort of wet sounding.
I'm concerned that the sound of his breathing along with his fatigue and frailty could be because of a respiratory infection and I have some Baytril left in my cupboard from the last time a hamster had a respiratory infection. If she won't take him to the vets do you think it would be safe to give it to her for him? Perhaps it could go in his water rather than being administered orally?

I know it is possibly unconventional but I'm concerned that he is suffering and she won't take him to the vets and I can't bear the thought of him being uncomfortable or dying.
What do you think?
Thank you so much!

[cypher]

If you're willing to pay the vet fee would you be able to take your friends ham to the vet & would they be willing to let you do that?
I'm always a bit wary of giving meds without seeing a vet first & would really see that as a last resort, he really does sound as though he needs help poor little guy.

[xbuttons94]

From experience, hamster check-ups (or at least at my vets) are a low price. I think it was £16 and £3 per medication. It would be worth calling and getting an approximate price as that might encourage your friend if the price is reasonable? I'm sorry to hear her little boy is poorly but it does sound like he needs to be seen ASAP.

[Thin Lizzy]

If your friend's hamster is poorly then it needs to see a vet. It really annoys me when people are reluctant to pay money for their ill pet. When you get any pet you take on a lot of responsibilities. Good on you for stepping in, maybe your friend should be more like you. I would find out about consultation prices and tell your friend. If it was me, I'd offer to pay the vet bill with the condition I take care of the ham permanently.
If it's the money and she doesn't have it, you could offer to lend her it.

[racinghamster]

Lozz, you both need to decide what stage the hamster seems to be at. If he makes a clicking noise while breathing for example, this can be an indication of a lower respiratory issue. But if the hamster is frail or weak, he may have something going on that could be causing the breathing to be rapid or slower. If he`s a little underweight, she needs to be looking closely at his diet and deciding if what he`s eating is still giving him a good balance. If you can say what his diet is that would be good.

Sometimes hamsters of this age slow down anyway, but illness on top can often be noticed rather than him just being sleepy or less active. Giving Baytril is something the vet could possibly prescribe, but unless it`s properly diagnosed as a respiratory problem, Baytril can be hit or miss. Personally I`m a very sceptical owner regarding antibiotics unless I see/hear a definite pattern develop. Baytril in most cases will be prescribed for respiratory problems or bacterial infection, but being a broad spectrum drug, it doesn`t always work against certain strains. But it is widely used and can be very good when dosed the correct dosage and given for longer than five/seven days.

Crush up some nut varieties for him and give him extra foods that are not sloppy or may cause gut upset. Lidl sell small bags of mixed nuts that tempt the taste buds. I bought by Russian dwarf a bag today and they contain cashew and hazelnuts with some dried fruit, although he doesn`t get the fruit due to the high sugars.

Try and leave him to sleep more and tell your friend to try and feed him extras to maintain his strength, like the nuts. His body may be feeling weak so looking at his diet and adding more to it would help. Make sure he gets a small amount of fresh raw greens and a little piece of apple.

Bathe his eye with plain tepid water and a cotton pad of it`s sticking all the time, but if he`s not looking well, then yes, seeing a vet would be good. x

[Lozz]

He is fed Wagg food. I offered to pay but she won't accept so I don't really know what to do- the vet isn't expensive, it would be less than £20 which I've explained I'm more than happy to pay, even just to put my own mind at ease.
What food would your recommend giving him to build up his strength?
Thank you everyone x

[Pebbles82]

What is the reason your friend doesn't want to take her hammy to the vet, if you have offered to pay? Is she scared he might be pts? If so I think you can tell her that is unlikely, and she would be given options.

I wouldn't give Baytril (antibiotics) without seeing a vet - I believe hamsters don't tolerate antibiotics well at the best of times, although I can see your concern.

Maybe you could help your friend with bathing the sticky eye, for starters. Otherwise I suggest being more insistent/a bit heavy, but in the nicest possible way. If it's a good friend you can say things like that. Like - letting a hamster suffer isn't 'fair' and there may be a perfectly simple treatment or medication that will improve the hammy's quality of life. I will go with you and I will pay for it, but you really must take that hamster to see a vet.

If she still refuses - well there's not much else you can do.

[Cinnamon Bear]

That's really sad that she places such little value on her hamsters life. Must be frustrating that she won't allow you to help. Is she struggling financially? If so you would think she would be grateful for your help. If you have extra Baytril that's not expired I'd probably give it to the hamster doesn't seem that it would hurt the animal? It's so diluted in the water bottle though. Can you put it on a treat for a period of days? W/o a vet you wouldn't know how often & how long to give it to the hamster unless your experienced yourself.

[racinghamster]

Well as the saying goes, you can take a horse to water......

As for the WAGG mix, it`s not the greatest, but then again, the biscuits within it could need breaking up a bit to help the hamster eat them. Just use a pestle & mortar or a hammer/rolling pin. Burgess Supahamster is a good mix so a bag of this could be added to the WAGG for variety. Breaking and mashing things up a bit can sometimes help. Hamsters get bored with their food so adding to it, mashing up some of the larger pieces and buying a small bag of mixed nuts from the supermarket that contain hazelnuts, cashew, walnuts etc, can add to the flavours.

Does she feed fresh raw veggies? Broccoli, cauliflower, garden peas, carrot, a small piece of lettuce, sweet corn? These are generally loved by all hamsters and the best way of boosting their vitamin and fibre. Only feed in small amounts though if the hamster isn`t used to them or hasn`t ever had them before.

[Rsclio197]

If your friend won't allow you to pay for the vets, just ye your friend your taking ownership of the ham till its better