Red irritation around eye

[Littlemonster21]

I just noticed yesterday that my hamster Marnie has developed some redness around her eye. This happened almost overnight as only about one day had gone by since I had seen her and she seemed fine then. But yesterday when she woke up there was a distinct brown line (sort of like she had a human eye lid) around her eye and it looked slightly red and irritated. It looks a little worse today. The right eye looks worse than the left which looks crimped, as if the skin around the eye was pinched slightly, and the right eye looked almost as if the skin around the eye was peeled back. I know that sound grotesque and it probably doesn't look as bad as you're imagining it, but I just can't figure out how to upload pictures or I would do that.

This is genuinely the first time that I have had to deal with a possible health detriment in any of my hamsters so I really don't know if this is extreme enough that I should take her to the vet or if it will resolve itself. Is it an infection? It is definitely irritated and red. If I figure out how to upload pictures I will give an update but I would absolutely appreciate any suggestions as to further steps I should take because I am quite worried. Besides her eyes I haven't noticed any other obvious physical abnormalities and her behavior is relatively normal minus the fact that she has gotten up a little later for the past two days.

[Ria P]

My advice would be to get her checked out by a vet.

[csengaaaa]

I would definitely suggest going to the vets first hand but in my experience, slight eye irritation can be solved using lukewarm chamomile tea and a cotton pad/ swab. Of course, this is only a temporary solution and due to hamsters being prone to deteriorate quickly, getting to the vet as soon as possible would be ideal. Some precautions you can take in the meantime is ensure that you are using dust-free bedding and absolutely do not use incense and diffusers around her. Often eye issues such as conjunctivitis, especially in dwarfs can be an indicating factor to larger raspatory issues. I hope this helps!

[Pebbles82]

Definitely go to a vet ASAP. Eye issues are an emergency. She may just need antibiotics but if left untreated the eye could burst or need to be removed.

[Littlemonster21]

So good news, we are able to see a vet and there is a set date for our appointment. Unfortunately the earliest time that we could possibly see them is about two and half days from now. Is their anything I can do to mitigate the eye irritation in the meantime and help her pull through before this Friday? There is some crust beginning to form around her left eye. Would it be advised to carefully wipe that off with a saline solution so her eye doesn't seal shut, or would that worsen the irritation?

[Petite]

That sounds like a good idea is she will let you do it. If it should get worse before her appointment on Friday, could you ring the vet back and tell them it has become an emergency?