Hamster has a pronounced eye

Celerian · 10-05-2020, 06:27 AM

Hi All,

My 2 year old Syrian Hamster has had a lump behind his eye for about a week now. I assumed it was a product of old age, but he had a cut behind his eye last night, potentially caused by him scratching at it. He doesn't have any other symptoms and is very active for his age (hence the blurry photos)

Is this a job for the vet? I've attached pictures. Was also wondering what the average cost is for a consultation, I live in the UK.

https://gyazo.com/861732010115aaacc6d50ea06d13cb65
https://gyazo.com/62f06e0190865270c200ddac4cdc6ca0
https://gyazo.com/a40cb97341176d6342558b3bb67d3547

Thanks for your help. Can give more info if needed.

LunaTheHamster1 · 10-05-2020, 08:02 AM

I would be taking him to the vets if he was my hamster. I think a consultation with my local exotic vet costs around £29. They are the only exotic vets in my area.
You can expect to pay less or slightly more, it just depends.

cypher · 10-05-2020, 09:40 AM

I would definitely get that seen by a vet as soon as possible, it’s hard to know what it is but it could cause major problems with his eye & he may need pain killers too.
Hope the vet can help & it’s not too serious.
I can’t remember how much I paid for a consultation last time I went to the vet but I think it was probably more than Luna, it does vary quite a bit.

Celerian · 10-05-2020, 09:59 AM

Thanks both. Have booked a vet appointment for tomorrow. Will update when it is done, in case other people have a similar issue.

LunaTheHamster1 · 10-05-2020, 10:54 AM

Glad you managed to find a vet, goodluck and yes please do let us know. I hope it can be sorted.

Celerian · 10-06-2020, 08:57 AM

Have been to the vet! Been told that it is either inflammation or a tumor, been given eye drops to use for a week to see if there is any improvement! My hamster isn't particularly pleased with the eye drops, but he will have to deal with it.

Cost me £38. £20 for the consultation and £18 for the eye drops.

cypher · 10-06-2020, 10:51 AM

Good to hear you’ve seen the vet (& it wasn’t too expensive either!) I hope the drops do the trick & he doesn’t have a tumour, fingers crossed he makes a full recovery.

Celerian · 10-07-2020, 03:54 AM

First day of eyedrops. His eye was fairly bloody today and we had to clean it. Not sure if it's a bad sign or a good sign.

Hoping that it means that he does have an infection, and its not a tumor. But we will see. He's still acting completely as normal. Getting hard to administer the eye drops because he's figured out when they are coming, and hides his face in my hand!

BethandLil · 10-07-2020, 04:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Celerian

Getting hard to administer the eye drops because he's figured out when they are coming, and hides his face in my hand!

Might be worth scruffing him to administer, as long as he doesn't find that too distressing.