Hamster Bites

StarlightSerenity · 01-09-2012, 07:15 AM

I'm writing something for HC on when a hamster needs to see a vet urgently and something occured to me - if a hamster gets bitten by another hamster do they need to see a vet urgently for antibiotics to prevent infection as they would if bitten by a cat?

souffle · 01-09-2012, 07:42 AM

As far as I know, unless the wound is very deep and gaping, you can leave it to heal up. A dwarf breeder advised when ours fought that we should bathe once only in boiled cooled water then leave to heal whilst watching very closely for signs of infection such as pus oozing and very swollen red hot area. They normally heal up well in about 10 days. I don't think they have as much bacteria in the mouth as cats do.
Sometimes baby syrians will have a little fight and they always seem to heal up well without treatment.

Amethyst_ice · 01-09-2012, 08:02 AM

yes, one of my ratties has some bites from scrapping and i have left them to scab over themselves keeping an eye on them. I think unless there are limbs torn etc let nature heal keeping a close eye. looking forward to reading what you have written

x

Vectis Hamstery · 01-09-2012, 08:31 AM

If my hams get bites from their mates I dab on a bit of tea tree cream (the one designed for animal use) when they're fresh and leave them to heal without further interference. Unless, as A_I says, there's serious damage done or they get red/pus when a vet trip is needed.

racinghamster · 01-09-2012, 08:52 AM

The first thing I would use on minor bites, cuts and grazes would be saline (one teaspoon of salt to one pint of boiled, cooled water) using a cotton ball/pad. I would only seek a vets help if an abscess formed or as the others have said, swelling or not healing well after a week.

samincittagazze · 01-09-2012, 09:56 AM

Ooooh, so THAT's what you've been working on. Great idea, can't wait to read it.

I took Langly to the vets when she had bites because she seemed to have lost a lot of blood and I was worried she may be in pain. But I didn't bother when Frohike bit Byers as it scabbed over nicely and I wasn't concerned.

**Hamtastic** · 01-10-2012, 09:49 PM

My various robos have fought each other, and even the wounds that looked moderately deep healed without any complications--I made sure to keep their cages clean, take out sand, and wash their wheels regularly until the wounds crusted up. Isabel's cut also healed without any intervention. I think if there are noticeable bad reactions to some bites and visible signs of infection or poor healing--that's when I'd ask for a vet's assistance with antibiotics.