Loo paper Bedding

Catherine Spark · 11-16-2009, 11:27 AM

Sorry to keep bothering everyone - just a very paranoid pet owner as it's my first time since I was little, and my first time ever alone. Oakie's been moving his shredded loo paper bedding around the cage since he was cleaned out earlier this day...but now his pouches are stuffed full and he doesn't seem to be emptying them, even though he is no longer moving the bedding. How can I tell if it's stuck in there, how long should I wait and what should I do? Thanks yet again!

Lizzie · 11-16-2009, 12:14 PM

How long have they been full for?

You need to kind of massage the pouch to help move the bedding. This needs to be done softly obviously, as they are very delicate. This should dislodge the bedding.

If that doesn't work and its still all stuck then you need to take Oakie to the vets and they can get it all out.

Food and bedding getting stuck in their pouches is very common, it can be scary if you haven't seen it before, but don't worry, it should come out with a little massage. My very first hamster got some food and bedding stuck in his pouch and he used to actually let me put my little finger in his mouth... he was ace though, like no other hammie I've seen before.

Good luck, let us know how it goes. X

souffle · 11-16-2009, 01:45 PM

They can get a bit panicked when you clean out and rush around in a frenzy with full pouches.
Put him in a dark room or cover with a blanket for a few hours and he should remake his bed and depouch.
Impacted pouches are not that common and it takes a few days of food stuck in there before it gets nasty so I bet he will be all sorted by morning.
Personally I wouldn't try and depouch him just yet.

Catherine Spark · 11-16-2009, 03:57 PM

Heya, thanks for the advice. He's depouched now thankfully, and yes, he gets stressed on clean-out - he's changed his toilet corner. They weren't full for that long but it was scary seeing him drinking; I thought that might impact it. It's good to know massaging can often be enough - and also that you can give it a couple of days before de-pouching. Every piece of information like that is one less piece of paranoia.

souffle · 11-17-2009, 03:20 AM

At Hamster shows each hamster is given a fairly sizeable dog biscuit in their show pen to snack on during the day. Some hamster can pouch the whole bonio and when it comes to judging them the judge cannot see the shape properly so they have to depouch it. It is an amazing site seeing this huge bonio come out but it does need some level of experience to be honest. It isn't just a case of massaging as you need not move the food in a certain way to get it in the correct position. It is also not a good idea to try and remove lots of seeds as they can have sharp points which if you press into the cheek can pierce and cause an abcess.
A hammy with impacted pouches will be quite miserable as the food rots in the pouches and toxins and absorbed by the animal. The breath smells pretty bad and there is often drooling and swelling and sometimes an abcess in the pouch as well. A vet well anaethisise then use a fluid to fully flush the pouches and likely treat with antibiotic afterwards.
Sometimes depouching can lead to pouch eversion where it turns inside out and will not go back. This needs stiched in place and can be a lifelong problem.
Don't worry though as Oakie sounds fine and normal. I bet you are glad you stopped using the fluffy bedding. Can you imagine if he pouched all those fine fibres?
It is great to learn then you know what problems to look out for.
If you would like a comprehensive and excellent guide to hamster care I recommend this one
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hamsterlopaedia ... 1860542468

Catherine Spark · 11-17-2009, 03:07 PM

Hi - VERY glad I stopped with the fluffy bedding! Thank you for the link as well...I don't want to overcrowd the forum with questions, as I'm sure that makes it less easy to navigate.

souffle · 11-17-2009, 03:58 PM

Not at all Catherine. That's what we are here for and that is what makes the forum a forum. Ask away

suga · 11-17-2009, 11:30 PM

The hamster book that souffle has mentioned is a god send. I have it and still read it to understand better. Its well written and easy to understand. The best thing is and I'm not joking, it has pictures too which helps in seeing to understand - well it does me LOL.

I have seen our hamster run around and sleep with pouches full of food - it looks so uncomfortable. I'm glad that you mind has been at rest.

BTW you keeping asking and posting because when you do others who may feel that the question is maybe a little hard to ask are learning - so keep it up

Catherine Spark · 11-18-2009, 03:56 PM

Thanks so much for your encouraging words - I will ask with a clear conscience! May be able to ask for the book for Christmas - the hamster bug is so more-ish. Lots of pictures are great, especially with animal books, and especially when some ideas are DIY. Sounds really good.