Baileys eyes

LancashireLass · 05-21-2017, 03:10 AM

Hi I was wondering if someone could please give me some advise, Bailey my Syrian who is a 20 months old eyes are shut tight.

These past couple of days Baileys habits have changed, he came out on Thursday night for his usual playtime but didn't have as long as usual before wanting to go back. Friday he was eating and drinking as usual but didn't want his playtime which is fine as he does'nt always want to come out. Yesterday , however when it got to early evening I noticed he had not come out for a drink and some food, like he usually does, and when I checked on him he was fast asleep. Later on in the evening I got really concerned and checked him again and I noticed one of his eyes was shut tight, I gave him some cucumber and he ate it ok, so at least he is eating. I have checked him this morning and again his food bowl and water bottle is untouched and his potty corner in his sand has not been used. Both his eyes a shut tight which is concerning me, he has taken some food out of my hand, banana and Cucumber and when I placed his water bottle up to his mouth he drank a little water.

I am really worried about I is eyes with them being shut and too me at least one look a little gloopy, I was wondering is there something we can do or is a best to get a vet to look at it, which will stress the little guy out.

Thank You
LancashireLass

cypher · 05-21-2017, 03:22 AM

I would take him to the vet, it may stress him out a bit but it does sound as though he's really quite unwell & it's more than just his eyes.
Have you bathed his eyes at all? You can either use just plain water or saline on a piece of cotton wool to gently clean them to see if that helps for now.

LancashireLass · 05-21-2017, 03:28 AM

Hi thank you Cypher I have not tried to bathe his eyes, yet, I have considered it I just wanted a second opinion first. I want to wait till my other half get in so we can both try and help him he can hold him and I will bathe both eyes with Saline. If he is no better tomorrow I will ring the vet. I can't believe how these things come on so fast I hope my little man will be ok

Thank you
LancashireLass

cypher · 05-21-2017, 03:31 AM

I hope he will be ok too, it will be easier to bath his eyes with two of you & probably a bit less stressful too, it should make him a little more comfortable too.
It can be scary seeing how quickly they can deteriorate but they can pull back remarkably fast too so fingers crossed, let us know how it goes.

LancashireLass · 05-21-2017, 11:01 AM

Thank you Cypher I appreciate your help and kind thoughts I just hope I'm being a neurotic mum but my instincts tell me otherwise. I will keep you posted.

LL

LancashireLass · 05-21-2017, 02:29 PM

Hi, I have a Bailey update, I have been so worried today for my little BaileyBoy, I did manage to bathe his eyes earlier and he did take some cucumber and a treat out of my hand. I like Cucumber as it is predominately water and seeing as he hasn't been drinking I was desperate to get some fluids into him.

We heard him moving around about 20 minutes ago and despite trying to coax him out unfortunately for us to give him a clean out (as he has been using his bedding as his potty) I had to lift him out. I have given him a check over and his eyes were open and he seems quite lively. Whilst he had a short run we checked his movement which was ok and same again he was quite lively. I can always tell when he wants to go back as he always runs onto my hands and up my arms, he took some food and went back to bed, but didn't attempt to have a drink. I will beckeeping a very close eye on him, and tell myself that he isn't a young Hammy anymore he is 20 months old.

Thank you once again for your support.

LL

Thin Lizzy · 05-21-2017, 08:26 PM

Poor Bailey, good to hear his eyes are open, this can happen when they get older. I remember bathing Archie's eyes a few times and he lived to a great age.

LancashireLass · 05-21-2017, 10:47 PM

Thank you Thin Lizzy, even though I was relieved to see his eyes open, I'm still worried. Bailey has always been a little on the relaxed side and despite trying every trick in the book if Bailey wasn't ready to come out then Bailey refused to budge, its always on his terms and in his own time. But he has always come out, usually around the same time, for a drink and for food before going back to bed. Now he has seemed to have stopped his routine and I have come down this morning his water is untouch and his food bowl looks the same, yes I am worried. My other half seems to think I'm over reacting but to me a routine change is something to be concerned about, my theory is that his eyes have never been brilliant and I know a Hammys eyesight isn't the best but we are convinced that Baileys sight is even worse, if my gut feeling is right and I'm thinking maybe something has happened and could possibly be blind in one or both eyes how do I know for sure and if it's the case what can I do to help poor Bailey.

Many thanks
LL

cypher · 05-21-2017, 10:59 PM

Glad to hear Bailey's eyes are open now, that's an improvement but his behaviour does still sound a little worrying, he is getting older now & they can slow down a lot so it can sometimes be hard to tell if they are unwell or not, they rely so much on scent more than sight he should still be able to do normal hamster things even if he does have a problem with his eyes, sometimes we need to make some changes to the cage as they get older too so they can get about easily & nothing is too far from the nest for them.
You're giving him all the care & attention he needs & I'm sure you'll know if he needs any more help.

LancashireLass · 05-22-2017, 03:10 PM

Hi I have a update on Bailey, his eyes are open and tonight he has come out for a run albeit not long. However his behaviour is very erratic he was scratching at his bedding like a Hammy possessed, and he seemed to be darting round his cage like he didn't know what to do with himself. He gathered some food but he still hasn't drank any water out of his bottle which is worrying, i have given him some cucumber. My other half seemed to think he could be blind and possibly finding it difficult to find his water bottle, but that is just a theory. Has anyone come across this change in behaviour before or any ideas as to why he is like this?

Many thanks
LL