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Old 07-02-2013, 08:37 PM   #1
Rebecca123
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Unhappy Melody Has a Cold

Yesterday after I went fishing, I looked into Melody's cage and noticed her curled up under her water bottle breathing very very hard. After a couple minutes I picked her up and noticed she was squeaking like her nose was stuffed. I looked up her symptoms online and read that she probably has a cold. I was surprised because she was totally fine 2 days ago! It also said that you can give your hamster a cold if you have one yourself and it made sense because I have just recently gotten over being sick a couple days ago.

I tried giving her food last night, but I checked this morning and she hadn't eaten anything. I also noticed her reaching to up her water bottle like she wanted to drink but she changed her mind just crouched back down. I tried putting the bottle right in front of her and I could tell she wanted to drink but she didn't. All she took was a tiny drop.

Her breathing is very labored because of her stuffed nose and her eyes and nose have lots of discharge. I'm getting really worried Is her sickness fatal? Has this happened to any of your hamsters before? Any tips to help her get better?

Here's a video:

IMG_2223_zps3a93f701.mp4 Video by RebeccaJ123 | Photobucket
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Old 07-02-2013, 09:33 PM   #2
melissa35246
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

Aww poor girl I feel awful.

I haven't had any hamsters get a cold like that before but I would say that if you're really worried then you should probably take her to the vet and see if they can get her on some antibiotics or something.

Also, you can use wet cotton ball to rub on her eyes to get rid of some of the discharge but I don't know what you could possible do about her nose.
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Old 07-02-2013, 10:11 PM   #3
Rebecca123
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

Thank you. The sad part is my mom says she "doesn't want to spend $50 at the vet just for a little $5 hamster". I know she loves Melody as much as I do but I just wish she loved her enought not to let her suffer
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Old 07-03-2013, 12:13 AM   #4
Leila
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

I'm sorry to hear that your little fluff is poorly. I hope she gets better soon. Perhaps a little fresh veg or baby food would perk her up.
The cost of the animal should not dictate how much is spent on its welfare. After all, if she was free you would still spend money on food and toys wouldn't you? A trip to the vets might be a little costly but that's the responsibility and risk you take in owning any pet. Perhaps you could set up your own 'vet fund', as Melody is your hamster, and show your mum how responsible a pet owner should be? I hope Melody is feeling better soon and doesn't suffer if she does need to see a vet. Hammyhugs for Melody
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Old 07-03-2013, 01:45 AM   #5
Toolz
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

Awww my Hammy had the same symptoms jus not the discharge, I took him to the vet and they sad he had a respiratory infection... He would not eat anything even veggies and fruits... Hope your hammy will get better soon
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Old 07-03-2013, 02:43 AM   #6
Gemini39
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

Hope your mom changes her mind... If you had a cat or dog as a pet, surely mom would take them to the vet, you chose a small bodied but big spirited ham, should our size dictate how we are treated? I agree with Leila, put a little money aside each month, much like you would have done with a 'larger' furry friend. In fact, generally, hams are cheaper to keep long term than most larger pets. If all else fails, is there not perhaps something like a PDSA close by? Crossing paws for you.
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Old 07-03-2013, 03:14 AM   #7
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

Hi there. I`ve just watched your video of Melody and she`s in a bad way. I have recently lost my little roborovski who was showing much the same respiratory illness and breathing with his abdomen where his body would move in relation to his breathing. Melody really needs help and the antibiotic Baytril needs orally dosed and she needs water to be offered to her by dropper or as you did already, make sure you offer her bottle right to her. She will be too weak to raise her body up to drink, so lower the spout right down low for her.

Hamsters will fight this for a while but once it gets into a lower respiratory problem, it can be too late. Pneumonia can set in and that`s it.

What age is Melody? How is she now? Vets unfortunately are part of pet ownership and it`s a shame your mum is taking the `it`s only a hamster` stand. But that happens a lot.

If you can`t see a vet, all you can do is keep her comfortable, hydrated and watch her closely to see if she is eating.
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Old 07-03-2013, 03:55 PM   #8
Rebecca123
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

Thanks for the advice everyone. Today she took a little piece of a sugar snap pea and a few drops of water. She is still looking and breathing the same except for her abdomen which is very very bloated. She seems to wobble when she walks.
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Old 07-03-2013, 11:51 PM   #9
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

Poor darling. She may have pyometra if her abdomen/tummy is bloated. Sometimes there isn`t a great deal you can do for them once illness gets a hold on them and becomes too advanced.
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Old 07-03-2013, 11:58 PM   #10
Panda's_mommy
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Default Re: Melody Has a Cold

that's a sad video. this just makes me so angry how parents let their kids get pets but then don't want to pay to take them to the vet when they are sick. errr. i hope she will be ok. do you have any money from doing chores??? keep us posted!
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