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Old 07-31-2020, 04:42 AM   #1
Snail
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Default 2nd infected eye

Snail had an infected eye maybe 2 weeks ago which I was going to take him to the vet for but it healed itself overnight. Today he has a second infected eye and it looks much worse, he cant open his eye at all. Im wondering if I should take him into the vet again tomorrow if it hasnt healed or even to an emergency vet today?
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Old 07-31-2020, 04:44 AM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

Can I ask why you think it is infected? Is it just because it is closed and/or sticky?
Have you changed bedding recently, or opened a new bag?
Just with you saying it healed overnight last time, I am wondering if the bedding is too dusty, it is what happened with my syrian Star and Carefresh.
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Old 07-31-2020, 04:50 AM   #3
Snail
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

The first time the eye looked sticky and watery and was mostly closed. With this one I cant see his actual eye so Im unsure. I havent changed bedding recently but I do have some carefresh in the enclosure that I could try removing if you think it may help? The other bedding I use is kaytee clean and cozy
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:07 AM   #4
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

I certainly think it is a possibility, just with you saying that it went away. It's worth a try, I have only just started using Kaytee clean and cozy and I don't think I have heard of anyone having problems with hamsters eyes closing with that, but I have heard quite a few people saying the same thing happened to their hamsters with carefresh. Was he burrowing/digging around in it yesterday/recently, as that may have set it off again. I think it is certainly something to bear in mind.

Also, how old is your hamster as I believe sticky eyes can be an older age related issue too.
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:14 AM   #5
Snail
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

We dont know exact age but he’s over 2 years old. He has quite a few other health problems at the moment. He has been digging around in the carefresh so I will try removing it all now and see if it helps at all. Do you recommend taking him into the vets or waiting until tomorrow to see?
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:32 AM   #6
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

I do know some people have found Clean and Cozy to still be on the dusty side, just nowhere near as bad as Carefresh. I would also remove the Carefresh and try to get rid of as much of the dust from that as possible, which may end up causing the eye issue to clear up on its own even without a vet trip.

It wouldn't necessarily be a bad idea to take your hamster to the vet regardless, but personally I would wait and see what happens after removing the Carefresh and as much of the Carefresh dust as possible.
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:46 AM   #7
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

If it was me I would remove the carefresh and see if it improves. Then you will know if it is that or not. It could save you a vets visit, but it also means you have ruled the bedding out one way or another even if you do end up going to the vets.
You could see how your hamsters eye looks tonight then you can decide whether to go to the vets tomorrow.
However, it is totally your hamster and if want to take it to the vets for their opinion sooner, I totally get that too.
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Old 07-31-2020, 05:47 AM   #8
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

At this age they can often suffer with sticky eyes. They sleep a lot more so they don't clean and the eyes are shut for long periods so the secretions can dry and stick them shut. Try bathing them with a cotton ball soaked in saline (cooled boiled water with salt in it) If it opens and looks OK then you can wait.
Often when they are starting to decline they eyes will be constantly gummy and stuck and the stress of opening them can be too much for them. If they look red or something else seems amiss then you should see the vet again.
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Old 07-31-2020, 06:43 AM   #9
Snail
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

Ive been trying to wipe his eye but he wont stay still enough to allow me to do so so I may have to wait until later when I have another set of hands to help me hold him. I wiped down the glass in his tank because it looked a bit dusty aswell and all the carefresh has been removed. Hes very wobbly but has been for a while now. The eye being closed has made it much more difficult for him to get around his cage unfortunately
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Old 07-31-2020, 10:00 AM   #10
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Default Re: 2nd infected eye

He is a very old little man now. Just replace the Carefresh with some Kaytee and mix some old substrate in it a bit so it smells familiar. Generally at this age and stage, the less disturbance the better.

As Souffle says it is more of an age related thing - I had it quite a bit with our first hamster. If it hasn't freed itself after the first day then bathing/dabbing it with a cotton bud dipped in saline is the way to go. No he might not like it but at least he has the energy to show that. Best to do it out of the cage. Pop him on the sofa etc put a few treats down for him to find on the sofa and then try putting him on your knee so he;s facing away from you kind of and just gently dabbing it. You need the cotton bud wet enough but not so wet it is dripping or soaks him. He's bound to get a little bit wet so have a towel on your knee too and you can dab him dry afterwards. He might not like it but he'll appreciate it afterwards.

If he's a bit wobbly round his cage then now might be the time to move his food and water closer to his house - eg just in front/bottle to the side. So he doesn't actually have to struggle to get to them. But otherwise best not to clean out too often or to change/move things. Just spot clean pee if necessary.
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