Hamster sneezing continuously, please help!

akxh · 11-20-2018, 11:27 PM

Hi Everybody!

My hamster has been sneezing continuously throughout the day and it has been going on for about two weeks. He does not have any yellow discharges from eyes or nose. Still eats and horde food. However, he is sleeping day to night and seems to completely stop playing in the cage. He is perfectly fine and sneezing lessens when we brought him out of the cage to play.

I brought him to the vet and was told he might have an allergy instead of a URI or cold because he looks very healthy to him other than the sneezing part.

However, the bedding and food given to him were the same brand as what the pet shop has given him previously. The only thing I've changed would be the cage (from tank type to bar cages), given him dried mealworms, cheese treats, applesticks, toilet rolls and sand bath.

I've removed all the toilet rolls, applesticks, sandbathe and stop giving treats.

However, he still continued to sneeze?! Is it possible for hamsters to be allergic to the cage material or could it be he have something stuck which tickles his nose?

Please help this confused and lost hamster mum............ the thing I'm more concerned is that he stopped playing in his cage, and only thing he did is sleep and sneeze.

alpacassei · 11-21-2018, 11:07 AM

Some hamsters can have wood or dust allergies, what substrate does he have? Since nothing else has helped, change the substrate to something else and hopefully you’ll see an improvement!

mangoandmimi · 11-21-2018, 12:00 PM

It could be the bedding, depending on what substrate he has. But if he's stopped coming out I'd be concerned, that doesn't quite sound very healthy like the vet seemed to think. Not coming out could also have something to do with the fact that it's freezing right now but that's not always the case. The sneezing could be a number of things really, I'd probably go back for a second vets opinion if things don't clear up quickly. Hopefully you'll see an improvement soon.

Rads · 11-21-2018, 07:37 PM

What substrate and bedding are you using? I tried Ghost with Carefresh as substrate and that made him sneeze like mad, swapped it out and hey presto no more sneezing.

Sasha04 · 11-21-2018, 08:00 PM

I agree with everyone. It really depends on what substrate you are using. Like the others have mentioned, some hamsters can be allergic to wood based bedding.

akxh · 11-23-2018, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alpacassei

Some hamsters can have wood or dust allergies, what substrate does he have? Since nothing else has helped, change the substrate to something else and hopefully you’ll see an improvement!

I used to have Critter care Ultra Snow bedding which was what the pet shop was using. I recently changed him to Kaytee Clean & Cozy, but not much improvement.

akxh · 11-23-2018, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mangoandmimi

It could be the bedding, depending on what substrate he has. But if he's stopped coming out I'd be concerned, that doesn't quite sound very healthy like the vet seemed to think. Not coming out could also have something to do with the fact that it's freezing right now but that's not always the case. The sneezing could be a number of things really, I'd probably go back for a second vets opinion if things don't clear up quickly. Hopefully you'll see an improvement soon.

The vet did told me to return back if I notice any yellowish discharge from eyes/nose. He used to have Critter Care Ultra Snow, I just changed it to Kaytee Clean and Cozy after vet's recommendation to change bedding due to allergy.

akxh · 11-23-2018, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rads

What substrate and bedding are you using? I tried Ghost with Carefresh as substrate and that made him sneeze like mad, swapped it out and hey presto no more sneezing.

He used to have Critter Care Ultra Snow, I just changed it to Kaytee Clean and Cozy after vet's recommendation to change bedding due to allergy. It's hard to find aspen shavings in my area, was thinking to switch to them and see how things go..

Would you recommend paper pellets as bedding??

Rads · 11-23-2018, 07:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akxh

He used to have Critter Care Ultra Snow, I just changed it to Kaytee Clean and Cozy after vet's recommendation to change bedding due to allergy. It's hard to find aspen shavings in my area, was thinking to switch to them and see how things go..

Would you recommend paper pellets as bedding??

Hi,
Ghost was swapped over to Katee Clean and Cozy bedding/substrate aswell, he loves it and as I said no more sneezing.

alpacassei · 11-23-2018, 07:48 AM

Pellets aren’t usually recommended because it’s difficult to burrow through but if he’s allergic to most other substrates it’s worth trying! ErinsAnimals on YouTube has had good results using wood pellets for her hamster with allergies

Before giving him the pellets, do a water test because some brands will put absorbent gel crystals into the pellets. Usually they don’t mention the gel crystals on the packaging either. I’m sure you can find good pellet recommendations searching the forum though!

My Stephano has severe dust allergies and I’ve found the only substrate to work for him is torn up cardboard and tissue pieces (also not ideal for burrowing sadly). Pellets would probably work as well but he’s quite old and frail so cardboard gives him a more stable surface.