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Old 01-07-2022, 10:08 AM   #1
xiaojie1
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Posts: 13
Default eye infection?

We have a two year old dwarf!

I first noticed our hamster’s right eye was stuck shut after he got out of bed four days ago — this had happened a few times before but he had groomed it open, so I figured it was the same thing. During the winter, he’s very inactive and is only really out and about in the dead of night (like 2am-5am), so he went back to bed without grooming and I figured I’d let it be.

The next evening, the eye was still shut (or maybe it opened and shut again). I cleaned it with a tissue & saline and it opened slightly, but he ran off before I could get it all the way open.

I didn’t see him for the past two nights, which is pretty typical in the winter (but he’s been eating).

I figured this might just be sticky eye because of his advanced age, but then this morning I caught a glimpse of him and the fur on his right side was stained a sort of reddish-brown! I’m worried about this, obviously, and I’m not sure if it’s blood — the eye has not been actively bleeding (at least not that I could see), and I gave the eye a quick wipe to see if there would be anything and the cloth came away clean.

I only have pictures of the eye that I took a few days ago; didn’t get a chance to take a picture of the stained fur, but I circled the area that was stained. What’s weird is that it’s not directly around or close to the eye, but it is on the same side.

IMG_8021.HEIC - Google Drive


IMG_8022.HEIC - Google Drive

Only two vets in the area see hamsters and they aren’t letting owners into the building because of COVID protocols. I will of course take him if he needs it but he’s already a very easily stressed hamster, so given his age I’m a little nervous about a big vet trip. I also have no idea how these vets are (there are no Yelp reviews), and don’t know how comfortable I’d be about letting them take him inside without me being there to watch and monitor what they’re doing!

Is this likely an eye infection, or something else? I can make the recommended eye wash — but given his sleep schedule, should I be waking him up a few times a day to administer it? I’m also meant to clean his cage this week (it’s been 6 weeks) — should I hold off on that given stress?
Thanks in advance!
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Old 01-07-2022, 01:33 PM   #2
Ria P
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: eye infection?

You could email a photo to the vet and ask for a telephone consultation. That's what i did during a lockdown.

Going by your hamster's posture and ears, he may be in discomfort and in need of some pain relief.
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Old 01-07-2022, 02:13 PM   #3
sushi_78
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Default Re: eye infection?

I think the red stuff may have been porphyrin rather than blood. It's secreted from the eye due to irritation or injury or infection (and in other rodents at least, sometimes due to more generalised illness or stress though I think that may be less common in hamsters).

I would agree that he doesn't look very well and should see a vet, virtually if needed. Not all vets are experienced with hamsters but from my experience they're always quite willing to prescribe some pain relief at the very least which can often help even when you're not sure exactly what's wrong.

I wouldn't clean the cage unless it's definitely needed (if it smells) as it will be an unnecessary stressor otherwise.
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Old 01-07-2022, 02:45 PM   #4
xiaojie1
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Default Re: eye infection?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
You could email a photo to the vet and ask for a telephone consultation. That's what i did during a lockdown.

Going by your hamster's posture and ears, he may be in discomfort and in need of some pain relief.
Good idea — I will see if they can do a virtual appointment!
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Old 01-07-2022, 02:46 PM   #5
xiaojie1
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Default Re: eye infection?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi_78 View Post
I think the red stuff may have been porphyrin rather than blood. It's secreted from the eye due to irritation or injury or infection (and in other rodents at least, sometimes due to more generalised illness or stress though I think that may be less common in hamsters).

I would agree that he doesn't look very well and should see a vet, virtually if needed. Not all vets are experienced with hamsters but from my experience they're always quite willing to prescribe some pain relief at the very least which can often help even when you're not sure exactly what's wrong.

I wouldn't clean the cage unless it's definitely needed (if it smells) as it will be an unnecessary stressor otherwise.
Sounds good — I think you’re probably right about the red stuff. I’ll see if the vets here can do virtual appointments!
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Old 02-01-2022, 08:01 PM   #6
Alyssa0411
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Join Date: Feb 2022
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Default Re: eye infection?

My 11 month old Syrian hamster is going through this right now. She’s been less active than normal over the last 2 days. Honestly I thought we were going to lose her because her balance looked a little off. A little applesauce and she seemed to come out of it. So I thought maybe it was just something random.

Tonight though, she had this reddish brown discharge coming out of both eyes at the same time. I carefully wiped them with a tissue. All she wants to do is snuggle on me and sleep. She is normally a snuggler but she usually wakes up and gets active. Instead she will wake up and readjust and go back to sleep.

I’m really concerned about her, so I called the local exotic vet and made an appointment for tomorrow at 4pm. If she’s going downhill in morning, they said they have one emergency appointment open.

I love this little girl, and it hurts to see her not doing too well. She’s been such a wonderful addition to our home.
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