Sudden Audible Breathing (Roborovski Dwarf)

Pharaoness · 10-09-2017, 04:51 PM

Hi, just yesterday I noticed my hammy started breathing audibly (a bit of squeaking, no runny nose though). This us unusual for him (his name is Neutrini). The only change is I put a new toilet roll into his cage to replace the old one. His bedding is the tissue like stuff (multicolor), and hasn't been changed for a while (probably too long).

I also started him on a new diet that I mix with his old food; the new food is Hazel Hamster tasty mix, and I mix it with oxbow essentials that has done other food (seeds and such, I forgot the name I mixed it with but he's never had problems with it).i also started giving him treats (Kaytee Yo Dips in blueberry flavor).

Of note is that I brought him here (California) from Toronto Canada, but this was in the beginning of September. I do keep the window open all the time and it's getting chilly at night. Any thoughts on what I should do? He's grooming well, running on his wheel, responds to me, only thing is I notice he's a bit quicker in my hands than usual. Any tips would be appreciated!

SunnyOy · 10-09-2017, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharaoness

Hi, just yesterday I noticed my hammy started breathing audibly (a bit of squeaking, no runny nose though). This us unusual for him (his name is Neutrini). The only change is I put a new toilet roll into his cage to replace the old one. His bedding is the tissue like stuff (multicolor), and hasn't been changed for a while (probably too long).

I also started him on a new diet that I mix with his old food; the new food is Hazel Hamster tasty mix, and I mix it with oxbow essentials that has done other food (seeds and such, I forgot the name I mixed it with but he's never had problems with it).i also started giving him treats (Kaytee Yo Dips in blueberry flavor).

Of note is that I brought him here (California) from Toronto Canada, but this was in the beginning of September. I do keep the window open all the time and it's getting chilly at night. Any thoughts on what I should do? He's grooming well, running on his wheel, responds to me, only thing is I notice he's a bit quicker in my hands than usual. Any tips would be appreciated!

Hi, I may not be able to figure your concern but I am quite curious how did you manage to transport them from Toronto to California? I was so concerned about how to take them to the States(I'm from Montreal).

Pharaoness · 10-09-2017, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyOy

Hi, I may not be able to figure your concern but I am quite curious how did you manage to transport them from Toronto to California? I was so concerned about how to take them to the States(I'm from Montreal).

The way I did it was I rented a one-way car from Avis at the airport to drop off at an airport across the border (I did Toronto to Detroit). Then I took a flight with Frontier Airlines, super animal friendly airline!

SunnyOy · 10-09-2017, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pharaoness

The way I did it was I rented a one-way car from Avis at the airport to drop off at an airport across the border (I did Toronto to Detroit). Then I took a flight with Frontier Airlines, super animal friendly airline!

Your hammie was doing well during the flight? Was it young at that time?

Pharaoness · 10-09-2017, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SunnyOy

Your hammie was doing well during the flight? Was it young at that time?

Yep, he was fine! He was only a month and a half younger than he is now (about 1.5 years old) =)

Carla Gordon and Derrick · 10-10-2017, 01:53 AM

Hams are sensitive to drafts and temperature changes, so I'd try to keep the window shut if you can, Or cover with a blanket to minimise the draft teaching your ham if it's not possible.
With a few different changes it's hard to know what the issue could be, but it sounds like either an allergy or a cold. They are sensitive to dust - could it be possible that any pollution / dust is coming in through the window which could be aggravating your ham?

Pharaoness · 10-10-2017, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carla Gordon and Derrick

Hams are sensitive to drafts and temperature changes, so I'd try to keep the window shut if you can, Or cover with a blanket to minimise the draft teaching your ham if it's not possible.
With a few different changes it's hard to know what the issue could be, but it sounds like either an allergy or a cold. They are sensitive to dust - could it be possible that any pollution / dust is coming in through the window which could be aggravating your ham?

Hi Carla, I don't think so, I think it's pretty clean here in terms of dust. I have started to close the window, particularly at night. He still has audible breathing today but seems active. I'll wait it off a bit, and if I don't see changes for the better I'll take him to the vet, just to be safe. I'm really concerned because he's a healthy lil One, so this is really weird =(