Poorly Hamster Care Advice

Amy S · 03-04-2017, 02:48 PM

Hi All

Hoping you can help me with a bit of advice as I am a very worried and upset hamster owner.

I believe Sooty has developed a respiratory infection. Been very lethargic this week but I originally presumed that may have been due to the weather. I had been checking on him to make sure that he was ok and when I have woke him up this morning, his eyes were stuck together and his chest just seems to be tattling. We tried to clean his for him so he could open them but he wasn't having any of it and he seemed to freak out. We managed to get them open but seem to just be weeping again.

I have made an appointment to see the Vet on Wednesday night which was the first available appointment, So I am hoping that you can provide me with a bit of advice on how I can keep him as comfortable as possible until the trip.
He doesn't have an appetite at the moment which I am worried about so any suggestions on food ideas would be great aswell.

Thank you
Amy

Allys Hamsters · 03-04-2017, 03:21 PM

Try giving him a little bit of baby food to eat and make sure his water bottle is easily accessible to him. I hope he gets better soon.

Amy S · 03-04-2017, 03:28 PM

Hi

Thank you for your reply

Ok I will try that- is there any that I should avoid that you are aware of?

I have popped a bowl of water in his cage which is closer in reach for him.

Amy

souffle · 03-04-2017, 03:41 PM

Is there another vet near you? Wednesday is really too long with a chest infection. He likely needs antibiotics. You need to make sure he is warm but not hot and that you feed frequent soft food to keep his energy up. Babyfood, porridge, rice crispies with a little milk and sugar soaked in, boiled rice, puried fruit and soft chicken or tofu are good. Just keep him eating. He does need seen sooner though. Where are you? Pets@Home vets in UK are open Sundays at normal costs if any are near.
Don't fuss over the eyes too much as it is a symptom of his illness and will resolve once he is better in himself. They don't see that well anyway so just make sure you talk to him so he knows you are picking him up.

Amy S · 03-04-2017, 04:02 PM

Hi Soufflé,

I am based in County Durham. I have found wilsons vets which are open tomorrow so will give them a ring in the morning.

Do you know how much roughly it will cost for Sooty to be seen?

I have tried handing him some of his food but doesn't seem to want anything at the moment. How would you recommend for me to make porridge? Would I put milk in it?

I have found the nearest pets @ home vets which are open on Sunday so will try them aswell to see if I have any luck

Amy

Coco61 · 03-04-2017, 04:06 PM

Hi Amy, sorry about Sooty. Good you can see the vet tomorrow. What I do make porridge is - one level teaspoon of the oats, two teaspoons of water and microwave in small bowl for 20 secs. It will be too hot so let it cool down to warm. Then onto the teaspoon again and offer it to him. If it is warm and moist it should tempt him.

Amy S · 03-04-2017, 04:15 PM

Thank you so much. I will try him with this and hopefully he will have some. Fingers crossed I can get him in at vets for tomorrow.

Poor thing, I feel as chewed up about it as he probably is.

Amy

Coco61 · 03-04-2017, 04:21 PM

Fingers crossed it goes ok. Let us know. Also if there is more advice we can give there is a lot of help available here. If antibiotics are needed, ask the vet to show you how to give the dose. By mouth with a syringe is not easy so watch carefully.

Amy S · 03-04-2017, 04:25 PM

Yes I will let you know and thank you all again for your advice. I'm sure he will come round and be the happy hammy we are used to seeing.

Yes I think that will be hard with Sooty to be honest because he panicks easily. I may ask the vet if it is an option to mix with porridge etc?

souffle · 03-04-2017, 04:26 PM

I would add a little sugar to the porridge too to let him get some energy from it.
Vet costs do vary. Ask when you call. Some vets do charge a premium for Sundays but some like P@H are normal consultation costs. Ours costs £12 for a consultation for a rodent however I am aware this is quite inexpensive because most are more like £25 plus meds. He does sound quite unwell so prepare yourself for the chance he may need kept in or may need intensive care from you but I do hope he can be helped.
I would not suggest you give the meds in his water as they seldom take water with them in it. I would try with food but it may need given by syringe if he won't take that. Babyfood is best to hide the taste of it.