what to do about potential respiratory infection

Benefitsben · 08-15-2021, 02:58 PM

My hamster has been making weird sounds for a while now (see my previous threads) but today he's taken a turn for the worse. His breathing sounds weird, he looks like he's struggling to breathe, he's sneezing, he's lethargic, and he's not eating properly. Here's is a video (it doesn't show the weird breathing sounds, but it shows his other symptoms). I would take him to the vet however I can't do that for another week as I am going on holiday tomorrow, and he's staying with my grandparents. I have a small amount of baytril, should I put some in his water? If so how much? Is there anything I can do to keep him comfortable for the week I'm away before I can take him to the vet?

Amethyst_ice · 08-15-2021, 03:27 PM

Hello,

Unfortunately our little ones never pick the ideal moment to get ill. We are not vets but I can see some side sucking there which is quite serious and really does need vet attention ASAP.

Self medicating with baytril isn't ideal and I personally would not leave your hammy a week, the side sucking will be painful and all the other symptoms suggest he is in quite a bad way.

I'd try delay your holiday and get a vet asap or ask if your grandparents or friends can take him.

But unfortunately, the side sucking is serious. Keep us updated

Amethyst_ice · 08-15-2021, 03:35 PM

Had a listen to the sounds on your other thread and poor guy has some serious resp issues going on. It's common to hear sounds like that and can also be fluid on the lungs. I have pet rats so am quite used to sounds like that.

Sometimes a longer course of baytril or a different antib is needed, or a combination depending whether it is an upper or lower infection.

If left, it can cause scarring and sadly also can be fatal. Side sucking is an indication your hamster is struggling to take in enough oxygen and that in turn is very energy consuming and distressing which would also account for the weight loss and lethargy.

Vet asap

Pebbles82 · 08-15-2021, 04:01 PM

Agree don't put the baytril in his water - it might stop him drinking and he does need to see a vet. If you can't delay going away then you'll need to leave instructions with your grandparents to deal with the vet visit. Be brave and just say - sorry guys but vet appointment is booked, hamster is sick and you'll need to take him. The vet may prescribe baytril and it tastes nasty. So suggest your grandparents get something meaty to put it in - country hunter beef dog food worked for me - to disguise it, rather than them having to hold the hamster and syringe it in.

It's a nightmare when you're about to go away but you can't put it off a week as your hammy is suffering. So it will either mean not going away (or delaying going away), or booking the vet appointment and delegating your grandparents.

Benefitsben · 08-15-2021, 05:03 PM

the holiday isn't a full week, we come back on the Friday so that's the earliest I could take him. I'll see if I can get my grandparents to take him to the vet, although it's unlikely they'll be able to. I posted this question on hamster hideout as well as here and someone suggested I crush thyme around him, put some in his cage, and give him thyme tea - what do yall think of this?

Amethyst_ice · 08-15-2021, 05:09 PM

With respect and bluntly speaking...the side sucking is a serious, respiratory distress response and leaving him would be cruel and may be fatal. He needs vets tomorrow.

It could be pneumonia. One of my rats was making noises like him (turned out to be fluid on the lungs) and started side sucking. I got him to the out of hours vets at 11ppm that night, they over nighted him on oxygen, gave baytril injection but he made no improvement and was seriously struggling to breathe so I had to let him go. This is not a mild chest infection here that can be left or treated herbally

The thyme tea is the latest current "trend" going round and will not help your hamster who is a seriously, bad way right now

It also isn't very fair to leave your hamster in this way with your grandparents. I don't mean to be harsh but I don't think you are quite grasping the serious condition your hamster is in. By your own post, if that was a human you were describing would you leave them for 5 days? You owe it to your hamster as a responsible owner to get them the vet care they need

sushi_78 · 08-15-2021, 05:11 PM

Thyme is something people sometimes try in addition to antibiotics, but not instead of.

He does sound quite seriously ill unfortunately and I don't think this can wait until Friday. Could you ring round some vets in the morning and see if they would allow you to bring him in before you leave? They might be able to keep him in while you're away, or once he's being treated, perhaps your grandparents could take over.

Benefitsben · 08-15-2021, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice

With respect and bluntly speaking...the side sucking is a serious, respiratory distress response and leaving him would be cruel and may be fatal. He needs vets tomorrow.

It could be pneumonia. One of my rats was making noises like him (turned out to be fluid on the lungs) and started side sucking. I got him to the out of hours vets at 11ppm that night, they over nighted him on oxygen, gave baytril injection but he made no improvement and was seriously struggling to breathe so I had to let him go. This is not a mild chest infection here that can be left or treated herbally

The thyme tea is the latest current "trend" going round and will not help your hamster who is a seriously, bad way right now

It also isn't very fair to leave your hamster in this way with your grandparents. I don't mean to be harsh but I don't think you are quite grasping the serious condition your hamster is in. By your own post, if that was a human you were describing would you leave them for 5 days? You owe it to your hamster as a responsible owner to get them the vet care they need

Quote:

Originally Posted by sushi_78

Thyme is something people sometimes try in addition to antibiotics, but not instead of.

He does sound quite seriously ill unfortunately and I don't think this can wait until Friday. Could you ring round some vets in the morning and see if they would allow you to bring him in before you leave? They might be able to keep him in while you're away, or once he's being treated, perhaps your grandparents could take over.

OK in the morning I'll call the vets as soon as they open, and if they can't take him before I go I'll find another vet. I didn't know it was this serious - thank you for letting me know :)

Amethyst_ice · 08-15-2021, 07:02 PM

Any sounds like that are cause for alarm, they are so tiny and can go downhill so quickly. As pray animals, when they show symptoms of being unwell things are already worse as naturally they hide pain.

Do keep us updated and when you ring mention the side sucking and don't let them put you off.

Benefitsben · 08-16-2021, 01:41 AM

update: vet is booked for 10:15 today, I'll let you guys know how it goes