Concerns for vet appointment

[SophieandtheSorceresStone]

First I would like to start off saying hello, as this is my first post in this community. I used to google my questions but I always ended up looking at threads and questions here, I finally decided to make an account because I have some questions that only this forum would help me answer. One of those questions, or really concerns, has something to do with my upcoming vet appointment in two days. I just back home from an out of state trip, in fact I got back today, and unfortunately I had to take my furry friend along with me as I was going to be gone for a few weeks, I know traveling is stressful for a hamster and they need time to settle in, but I have a vet appointment on Tuesday for my hamster Sophie and I’m worried that it will stress her out. I want to get her to a vet ASAP though because she needs her teeth trimmed and a general checkup so I do not want to cancel it unless I absolutely have to, especially if it means putting Sophie’s health at risk. Please, Please let me know what I need to do (whether or not I cancel the vet appointment) and possibly any tips or advice to help Sophie at her first vet visit. Thank you so much!

[Pebbles82]

Personally I would put the vet appointment back a week or two. Unless her teeth are so bad she can't eat properly, and then it's a must. She can settle again after the vet visit. Why does she need a check up? They don't normally unless they have a health issue.

[chloeeruth98]

Hamsters don't normally need vet check-ups... is there any particular reason why you believe she needs her teeth trimming? If she is struggling to eat then yes she needs to see a vet ASAP, but otherwise, I'd move the vet appointment, or cancel it altogether. The stress a vet appointment can put a hamster through would far outweigh any benefits a check-up might provide; hamster vet appointments are usually only for illness/issues.

Taking her in a secure little carrier with some of her substrate from her cage and some soft nesting material to hide in will help her if she does need to go to the vets. Don't take her nest out though; it's best to leave the nest undisturbed in her cage for her to return to and destress in when she gets back.

[Engel]

How bad are her teeth? Bottom teeth are longer than the top anyway. Does your ham chew much?