taking tifa to the vets today - Page 2

Ness · 06-04-2008, 02:09 PM

I have to put the gel in the lower eyelid, but don't know the best way to do this?

souffle · 06-04-2008, 03:59 PM

We are currently treating Bingleys eyes. This is not an easy job but what we do is to get an old, mans hankie, lay it down on the bed then put the hamster in it, wrap it round so the hammies head sticks out only and let him bite the edge then while one person holds him the other drops in the drops or squeezes in the gel. Is it Fucithanlmic? It dries to a sort of powdery stuff round the eye so don't worry if you see that. We had that but find the Maxitrol drops easier to get in. Sometimes you miss and need to sort of push it over the eye with your finger. You really do need two people. One to hold one to drop. I hope she gets better soon.

Ness · 06-07-2008, 07:33 AM

her eye doesn't seem to be getting better, I know it's only been a few days since shes started her medine.

every time I hold her, her eye looks like it's going to pop out and a eye film goes over it, it even happens when I'm stroking her. it actually makes me feel a bit sick because the way it looks.

I still love her and all that but I don't know whats going to happen about this eye, or whatr is up with it really?

she doesn't seem bothered with it though, which I'm glad, I know she can't always close it properly, but I don't think its painful.

shes only about 10weeks.

I'm just rambling, sorry. but does any one have an idea what is up with it? also I know a lot oof you don't know norfolk very well, but I think it might need a proper vet who is good with hamsters to have a look at it?

souffle · 06-08-2008, 12:03 PM

It sounds like glaucoma ness. This can happen when there is a minute injury to the eye and the eyeball swells causing the bulging. Is it permanantly cloudy? It it continues to swell is is very painful and the eye can rupture or come out of the socket. It may be necessary to remove it then. They do fine with one eye. Usually treatment is with antibiotic and steroid drops to try and reduce the swelling and any infection. I would go back and explain your worries. Good luck ness. Are you getting the cream in OK?

Ness · 06-08-2008, 02:58 PM

yep I'm getting the cream in, it's actually getting harder to put in as she has decided that she doesn't like it, but my boyfriend is helping. should I remove her from her sisters if she loses one eye? I've had a dog lose an eye before, well both, one was able to be put back in place and the over was removed and stitched up. will they stitch up the area?

I'll take her back on wednesday as it would be just over a week, though I think it's not going to impove really. I am getting use to it now, I'm sorry if I sounded a bit mean by say 'it makes me feel sick' but things like this never look nice and you don't always encounter it in real life.

souffle · 06-09-2008, 06:00 AM

You would not necessarily need to remove her but if she needed an op they may not take her back afterwards. If the eye needs removed they stitch it shut but if it comes out it may just shrivel and die and the socket heal over. I know it sounds awful. Poor wee lamb. If it does not seem to be getting worse though she may be OK with just the treatment so fingers crossed for her.

Ness · 06-09-2008, 02:28 PM

ok I went back today and he said to stop the cream, he said that it's cleared up the infection but her eye might always be like that now. he said that he doesn't want to do anything unless it seems like shes in pain. he didn't seem to know much glaucoma though, but I have to agree with you that it looks like it could be. he also said that even though the eye can't close properly its ok as long as it stays wet, if it starts to dry I am to take her back.

I did get charged again which is strange.

anyway I don't know what to think about the eye, should I ask a different vet? or just see how she copes with it?

souffle · 06-09-2008, 02:59 PM

It is a bit worrying that she cannot close the eye as she will not be able to clean the surface when blinking. I'm not sure ness. If it were me I would try and find a vet used to dealing with hamsters. With our Bingleys eye the vet told us that an infection could cause the tear gland to stop working properly so that the tears produced are more sticky that they should be. They might never return to normal but you can use the human eye drops for dry eyes that you buy in the chemist. Ours said that drops (maxitrol) are better than cream and the eyes may need the drops every day (the ones you buy in the chemist) They are called Isopto hydromelose and are like artificial tears. Hope that helps and she is OK. Eyes do take a very long time to get better and sometimes once they have had a problem it does recur.

Ness · 06-09-2008, 03:08 PM

this is hard to explain really about the hamster eye, but I never thought she has an infection, she had no syptoms of of one, but had the bulging eye and white stuff above it which looks like it could be the strucker behind the eye. I will look into finding a better vet with hamsters though, I don't know how long it'll take to find, and as I don't drive its hard.

I've been thinking about tell p@h about this as I've only had her for about 3weeks and thought they should know? I won't return her of course, I'm very attached to her and her sisters.

Ness · 06-12-2008, 09:22 AM

Conjunctivitis, it might stay with her all her life.it's one of the possibilities the vet said. Can other hamsters catch it from her though? I forgot to ask...