Hamster with both eyes closed

Panda_27 · 03-01-2016, 06:57 AM

Hello

This is the first thread that I open in the forum. I don't speak english very well, so it's probably that the text has mistakes. I've bought a little syrian hámster last saturday. The hámster is very small, but it eats and drinks normally. Its pretty active, it runs around the cage and goes up the stairs. It is very scared yet, so I can't catch it yet. I don't know if it's a male or a female. Can you say me how old is it? I'm worried because the hámster has both eyes closed. The first day it has one eye open and the other closed, but now it has both eyes closed. It does all with both eyes closed, and doesn't seem disoriented. I want to know what problem has my hámster in the eyes. In my country vet don't know anything about hamsters.
I hope you can understand me, because my english is too bad.
Here you have some photos:

**Sm_banks** · 03-01-2016, 07:35 AM

Welcome to HC. Your English is better than some people I know in the states. I can't tell how old it is or if it is a male or female. If you go to an exotic vet they would be able to help you.

Rsclio197 · 03-01-2016, 07:49 AM

Definitely find a small pet exotic vet expert and ask before booking if they have experience with hamsters. Your little boy/girl should be able to get around just find with both eyes closed as they mainly rely on smell to navigate. It is concerning though so i understand your concerns at this stage.

Erin.R · 03-01-2016, 07:49 AM

Oh my that looks like a pretty young pup to my eyes. Where did you get it from, it really should still be with momma or at the very least still with its siblings. I would keep a very close eye on it but not stress it out at all! I can't see its eyes very well in the pics but I am a little concerned that in all three of the pictures its ears look like they are down and if its not opening its eyes it may already not be feeling well. Keep a good eye on it to ensure it continues to eat and drink and I would give it some extra protein like chicken, mealworms etc.
Very cute little pup!!

cypher · 03-01-2016, 08:27 AM

That was my first though that it does look extremely young, can't offer any helpful advice but fingers crossed for you & your ham that it will be ok.

Panda_27 · 03-01-2016, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sm_banks

Welcome to HC. Your English is better than some people I know in the states. I can't tell how old it is or if it is a male or female. If you go to an exotic vet they would be able to help you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rsclio197

Definitely find a small pet exotic vet expert and ask before booking if they have experience with hamsters. Your little boy/girl should be able to get around just find with both eyes closed as they mainly rely on smell to navigate. It is concerning though so i understand your concerns at this stage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erin.R

Oh my that looks like a pretty young pup to my eyes. Where did you get it from, it really should still be with momma or at the very least still with its siblings. I would keep a very close eye on it but not stress it out at all! I can't see its eyes very well in the pics but I am a little concerned that in all three of the pictures its ears look like they are down and if its not opening its eyes it may already not be feeling well. Keep a good eye on it to ensure it continues to eat and drink and I would give it some extra protein like chicken, mealworms etc.
Very cute little pup!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

That was my first though that it does look extremely young, can't offer any helpful advice but fingers crossed for you & your ham that it will be ok.

Thanks

In my country there aren´t exotic vets. For the moment the hámster is active and doesn´t look sick. Yesterday it climb in the cages bars. I bought it in a small pet shop, but I didn´t see if it was with another hamsters. I gave to the hamster some fruits and vegetables like apple and carrot and it eats. Here are more photos, but is soo dificult take a good photo because is really nervous and fast:

CMB · 03-01-2016, 09:14 AM

Cute. It looks so small. May be a good idea to weigh it to make sure it is gaining weight.

cypher · 03-01-2016, 09:15 AM

I still can't really see the eyes very clearly, can imagine how hard ti must be to get a decent shot & you don't want to stress your ham out trying too much but it is even clearer in those photos that it's an extremely young ham.
Is it managing to eat some proper hamster food ok?

Panda_27 · 03-01-2016, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMB

Cute. It looks so small. May be a good idea to weigh it to make sure it is gaining weight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

I still can't really see the eyes very clearly, can imagine how hard ti must be to get a decent shot & you don't want to stress your ham out trying too much but it is even clearer in those photos that it's an extremely young ham.
Is it managing to eat some proper hamster food ok?

Thanks!!!

Yes, is very difficult take a good photo. After I´m going to try again if I can take it a better photo. Yes it eats the seed mix, fruit and vegetables.

Pebbles82 · 03-01-2016, 09:29 AM

Goodness he is tiny! He must be a real young baby (which is maybe why his eyes aren't open yet). As he is so young, it might be an idea not to try and handle him or tame him too much just yet - give him a couple of weeks to feel at home in his cage first maybe (although if anyone else has other thoughts on that, please say!) If he has been climbing the bars, you need to make sure he can't fall and hurt himself on anything - they're good at climbing up but not that good at getting down again and can just 'drop'. The substrate on the floor of the cage will give some cushioning, but maybe move anything that could hurt him under a shelf, if he landed on it.

Which country are you from? In the Uk Syrians are almost fully grown when they're sold (they can be fully grown at 6 to 8 weeks) - yours looks about 2 weeks old! Just make sure he has lots of nesting material so he can build himself a nice cosy nest. Torn up strips of white toilet paper is safest for their nest/bed - if you put a heap of it in the cage, he will take some for his nest.

From now on you will be Mum! To help him get used to your scent and help start with the taming, you could put the sheets of white toilet paper up your sleeve or down your bra, and leave them there for a couple of hours, then tear them into strips and put them in the cage. They will help him associate your scent with something positive.