Hamster with a cold, what can I do?

[Merle]

Hey everyone.

I believe my hamster has a cold or some kind of infection. She's huddled up in her house and coughs. At least I believe that she's coughing because it's no squeaking sound and no sneezing either.

She's had trouble with an eye infection a few weeks back and I believe it never got well, though there were no symptoms anymore until today.

We noticed today, that she didn't collect the treats I left for her last night and then we heard her coughing. Her eye is closed again and it's wet around it so the infection is back full blown.

I've already installed an infrared lamp (for warmth) and put her food and waterbowl next to her nest so she can reach it easily if she needs to.

It's a holiday in Germany today, so there is no way of getting her to a vet before tomorrow, we will go though as soon as we can!

Is there anything else I can do for her in the meantime?

Thanks in advance for any answers!

[Billz004]

Hamsters do not get the common cold so it leads me to thing of it as an infection.

If it’s holiday the I’d take her to the vets as soon as you possibly can (tomw)

In the mean time try to no disturb the hamster; put treats down and make sure it’s a nice environment. This way the stress level will be stable and the infection will not get worse until you take the hamster to the vets.

But I would take the hamster asap (tomw for you)

Best wishes,

[Pebbles82]

So sorry to hear your hammy is unwell. A vet could give antibiotics if it's an eye infection. The other thing it could possibly be is an allergy, but if your hammy seems unwell it is probably more likely to be an infection. They can get cold temperature wise at this time of year, so a good idea can be just keep the room at the right temperature (about 20 degrees c), but not too hot either. So if you don't want your central heating on all the time, then having a little portable heater in that room and a room thermometer, can help. The heat lamp may be ok overnight if the room is the right temperature the rest of the day, although I sometimes set a portable heater on a timer to come on for a couple of hours in the middle of the night.

You could also put the food and water closer to her so if she wants some she doesn't have to go far to get it. Scatter some food next to her house maybe (leaving the food bowl where it is as changes can stress them). Moving the water bottle nearer would help though, or adding another water bottle near her. Also a bit of cucumber near the house as that will help with liquid if she doesn't use the water bottle.

How old is she?