Whats wrong!!! Helppp!

Basil_18 · 03-15-2016, 06:55 AM

my hamster seems like he gets the hiccups once in a while and he suddenly gets really in active when he gets them he just goes to sleep! sometimes he starts to sneeze aswell... i checked the symptoms of a cold in a hamster because thats what i suspected but none of the symptoms match except for the fact he sneezes once in a while! whats wrong???

cypher · 03-15-2016, 07:18 AM

They can hiccup occasionally, I'm not really sure why tbh.
Sneezing might be more of a worry, what substrate are you using, some don't do well with wood shavings.

Basil_18 · 03-15-2016, 08:32 AM

he has been on wood shavings since he was born so i don't think thats the issue...

Pebbles82 · 03-15-2016, 11:17 AM

Maybe your last batch of shavings was more dusty, or your hammy has developed an allergy - they can be allergic to any kind of wood. Maybe observe for a bit and see if it stays the same or improves. I like the Fitch paper substrate - no dust in it and hamster seem to love it too. It works out really cheap as they sell it in bulk.

cypher · 03-15-2016, 09:01 PM

If it's not the shavings & it could still be even though he's used to them have a good think about anything you use in the same room that may possibly irritate his nose or respiratory system.

Basil_18 · 03-15-2016, 09:58 PM

i stay in india ... the only hamster bedding you get here is wood shavings ! i know it sucks but i don't have a choice

i tried making homemade bedding but i used up 6 toilet paper rolls! thats a lot! my cage is big... he is kept in a very clean environment .. i have noticed he sneezes a lot while he is grooming himself other wise he doesn't sneeze much... is it possible that he sneezes because of the dirt he is grooming of him?

RubyDG · 03-16-2016, 12:17 AM

One thing you could do is when you get your shavings is put them in a big plastic tub and shake it and swoosh the shavings around a bit. Do that a few times over 2/3 weeks and it should air it out a bit and help reduce the dust and smell - not completely though but it should help. I read somewhere (can't remember where sorry!) about a person who had no access to other types of substrate doing that and they said it did make a difference. Worth a try.

Another option to look at is cat litter. You would need to get one that is paper or wood based. It must not be scented and must not be one of those that clumps together when wet. It's not very good for burrowing so is not an ideal substrate but is another option other than wood shavings especially if the shavings are irritating your hamsters nose and lungs. Something like this for example NAtures Love. I;m not familiar with the product so you'd have to check it carefully but something like that should work.

Basil_18 · 03-21-2016, 11:40 PM

thanks for the help rubyDG!

RubyDG · 03-21-2016, 11:58 PM

If you do go the cat litter route try to get one that's paper based. Wood based cat littter will do over wood shavings I think but you never know what type of wood they use so paper is better. Hope your little guy is doing better

Basil_18 · 03-23-2016, 09:19 AM

the cat litters here aren't great aswell, i have checked them out... i think i found the problem.. u mentioned saying that they can be allergic to the dust in wood shavings. thank u so much! that was the case he was sneezing because of the dust... i spoke to the vet to help him with his recovery... his sneezing kinda got out of hand so he needs medicine but he is better ... he is sneezing lot less...but since where i stay u don't get anything else but wooden shavings as bedding so im keeping fleece at the bottom with toilet paper for nesting, my brother is coming from the U.S so he will get me bedding till then im using fleece for a little while, is that ok?