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Old 06-14-2020, 01:48 AM   #1
Flossypet
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Question Breathing Problems?

Recently when I hold my hamster close to my ear I hear clicking/wheezing/squeaking noises as if she is having difficulty breathing. What does this mean and is there anything I can do to help her breathing improve?
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Old 06-14-2020, 05:52 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Breathing Problems?

Have you changed anything in the cage or surrounding environment that could be having an effect on her breathing? Anything dusty or scented? What substrate are you using? Some hams can have allergies but if nothing has changed & you've had her for a while that is unlikely.
If nothing has changed that might be causing a problem then it could be a respiratory infection, if you're concerned it would be best to talk to your vet & see what they say.
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Old 06-15-2020, 02:19 AM   #3
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Default Re: Breathing Problems?

Thanks for the help, I'm trying a few things to see if they help
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Old 06-15-2020, 08:54 AM   #4
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Unhappy Re: Breathing Problems?

It's been about 36 hours since I first noticed the problem I mentioned above. She was fine last night, or at least no worse, but just now (16:45) I went to her cage and heard her breathing very shallow and really loudly.

It sounded like she could barely breathe. She probably has a respiratory infection. I've decided against taking her to the vet as I think that the only thing they would be able to do for her is put her down.

I think that the best thing I can do now is to leave her undisturbed in her nest and see what the situation is tonight. If she dies then at least she will die in the comfort of her own nest.

Am I right in that there is nothing a vet would be able to do for her?
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Old 06-15-2020, 09:04 AM   #5
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Default Re: Breathing Problems?

Sorry to hear about what you are going through with your hamster.

If it was a bacterial respitory infection it could possibly be treated by antibiotics. The quicker it is treated the better the prognosis. I would highly recommend taking your hamster to a vet if you are worried about it's health.
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Old 06-15-2020, 10:17 AM   #6
Littlephodopusmom
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Default Re: Breathing Problems?

Hi, is your ham an older boy / girl? I am currently having the same issue with my young girl dwarf and called the vet today - they are hopefully going to do a phone consult with me and I am going to ask for antibiotics. I've also taken a video of her and hope to show that to the vet versus taking her in. Today I swapped her to a new bedding as well in case the other was irritating her. Hope some of that might help.
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Old 06-15-2020, 11:31 AM   #7
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Default Re: Breathing Problems?

She is a girl, about 1.9 years old. I removed anything that could be irritating her yesterday, so it isn't that. I have had a bad cold recently and after a bit of research I think it is quite possible that she caught it from me. If so, it is a viral infection and she should be OK. It's weird though because she still seems to be acting completely as normal, just her breathing is wierd.
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Old 06-15-2020, 12:07 PM   #8
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Default Re: Breathing Problems?

You can't really know what it is without seeing a vet, respiratory infections aren't uncommon & in most cases respond well to antibiotics but you do need to get her checked as soon as you can.
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Old 06-15-2020, 01:04 PM   #9
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Default Re: Breathing Problems?

Update: She just got up now, it's 9:00 pm, and she seems to be recovering from whatever it is she had. Her breathing is quiet again and she is moving around, although only slowly. I'm pretty certain now that it was a cold that she caught from me. She seems to have beaten it, anyway! . I'll be keeping an eye on her the next few days, but I really don't think it's necessary to go to the vet now.
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