Help! My Hamster's Developed A White Eye :(

[xXHazelnutXx]

I just took my russian dwarf Fattie out of his cage to give him a snack and I noticed that in the center of his right eye (im guessing where his pupil is) theres a little white spot. Is he going blind? I dont think its painful for himsince hes having fun eating and running around atm moment but I'mso worried
Please help.

[souffle]

There are a few things that can cause this. It could be a cataract forming in the eye and these are not treatable but cause no problems for a hamster.
He could have a small injury or eye infection and these need watched carefully for any signs of swelling in the eyeball, redness or discharge and you need to see a vet for drops if this happens.
Hamsters can get glaucoma where the eyeball swells and bulges but this does not sound like what he has.
Watch it carefully and see the vet if anything changes.
Hamsters have very poor eyesight anyway and rely on their other senses more really so even a reduction due to cataracts won't really bother him much. Just keep all his toys etc in the same places so he doesn't fall over them.

[KatiePillow]

My alfie had the same thing, it's a cataract, however he was already blind, they live fine, just talk to make sure they know you're coming and give them extra treats and attention.
Alfie lived a year after he got his, and it wasn't associated with his death, so they live fine with them.

Alfies took up most of his eye, making it all white, if it's smaller it might be an injury, but most likely just a cataract hope he's doing ok!

[xXHazelnutXx]

I'll keep an eye on it, its doesnt look inflamed or bulging at the moment I'll check it again tomorrow, he's pretty old going to be 2yearsold around march april time so I supposed hes prone to cataracts at his age. Luckily theres a vets down the road that I take my pets to, I'll take him 2moro if it looks irritated. Thanks xx

[Silver]

Hello Hazelnut,

My Dwarf Mandy started with a patch of white in her right eye which got bigger, then she started to get a whte patch in her left eye too.

Now both eyes are completely white/cloudy & she is totally blind in both eyes. She is now 2 years old.

Hamsters from birth have VERY bad eye sight, & do not rely on there sight as one of the firsts senses. They use there hearing & smell much more than they do there eyes. This means hamsters do very well if they go totally blind as its not one of the senses they ever relied on much.

You have to talk a LOT when going into there cages/tanks because they won't know who it is & can make them jump. I found now with Mandy she uses her nose a lot more, & will smell the air & your hands to make sure its you.

Also when Mandy comes out for a quick cuddle afterwards when you put hammy back in it's cage put hammy on a land mark, as if you just put them down in the middle they walk around smelling trying to find out where they are. I put Mandy back either on her wheel, or put her right next to her food dish so she knows where abouts they are in the cage so she feels safe.

Hope that helps a little

Silver xxx

[KatiePillow]

Also, put a fair amount of their substrate back in their cage afterwards, I once did a full cage clean for alfie, the only thing I didn't clean was his sandbath (as I'd only just refilled it) and I found him curled up asleep under it ((it was a cold metal dog food bowl as well!)) I also kept the cage the same layout for him.

[xXHazelnutXx]

Well after a few days of checking it, Fatties eye doesnt look irritated, isnt bulging and there doesnt seem to be much difference in his behaviour (still stuffing his face XD) so I think its his age thats made him blind in one eye. I also took on the advice you guys mentioned on helping blind hamsters. Because both me and my mum chat to our hamsters fattie especially actually knows our voices and comes when called, so now I make extra sure to call him to his cage door before trying to touch him. When cleaning I've put everything back where it was so as not to confuse him.
Thank you everyone, its good to have people to help, since I've had hamsters HC has helped me a lot, without everyone my hair would probably be falling out from stress XD thanks again xx

[Ca88]

Just noticed my Chinese dwarf Hamish has white spots on both eyes, was worried it might be cateracts he's 3yrs and 9months old which seems extremely old for a hamster but he's still going strong!