Bulging eye?

Kittiot · 04-05-2022, 11:20 AM

Shortly after we got our Dwarf hamster, I noticed one of her eyes looked like it was protruding a bit more than the other. I was brushed off and told I was being paranoid, but last night I REALLY noticed it. Here's the thing... She's acting completely normal, no weeping or sticky eye or redness... She can blink, and sometimes it actually looks more normal than others.

Vets are so expensive and if there truly is an issue, I will 100% fork up the dough. I just don't want to take her and be told it's literally nothing.

Help?!

Ria P · 04-05-2022, 11:38 PM

Hello and welcome to HC!

The right eye does look different from the left in the first photo especially but i'm not knowledgable enough to say whether this is normal or not.

I would email the photo to a vet and ask for advice.

Pebbles82 · 04-06-2022, 01:51 AM

Hi. Do take her. She could lose her sight or be in pain if the eyeball has become detached. They don’t always show signs of anything. Get your vet to decide what needs doing and then bill the place you got her from.

Kittiot · 04-07-2022, 05:42 AM

Thanks for the responses! I've been putting some mild saline solution in her eye but no real changes, so we made an appointment for Saturday to be seen. We are so hopeful that it's something not serious and easily fixable... Shes only 7 months old!

We've only had her since January, and while she's used to us and enjoys our company, we haven't held her yet. (we have two dogs and I'm terrified of her hopping out of hands and getting hurt...) Any advice for a vet visit with a hammy who hasn't been held?!

Petite · 04-08-2022, 02:06 AM

I agree 100%. Please don't be fobbed off. One of my dwarves had a bulging eye just like this and it was serious.
Unfortunately she is no longer with us.

Stanza · 04-08-2022, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kittiot

Thanks for the responses! I've been putting some mild saline solution in her eye but no real changes, so we made an appointment for Saturday to be seen. We are so hopeful that it's something not serious and easily fixable... Shes only 7 months old!

We've only had her since January, and while she's used to us and enjoys our company, we haven't held her yet. (we have two dogs and I'm terrified of her hopping out of hands and getting hurt...) Any advice for a vet visit with a hammy who hasn't been held?!

Wishing your hamster well, hopefully it can be treated and all will be ok. I’m a new hamster owner of 5 months who hasn’t held yet. If you’ve a pet carrier or box for her see if you can pop a bit of her everyday bedding in their and maybe one of her chew toys? to keep her scent close. Vets must be used to this with smaller animals I’m sure it will be fine. Sorry I’ve no real tips. This is a question I’ve thought of too. I’d maybe take a small blanket, tea towel, in case that helps to hold her?? Wishing her well, take care.

Ria P · 04-08-2022, 01:26 PM

That's good advice from Stanza and exactly what i do as well.
I put the hamster in a large carrier with plenty of bedding and a chew like a whimzee. I also add a hide that can be lifted off the hamster and i take a flannel. Exotics vets know how to hold and handle a hamster but a flannel helps to get a better grip and it has a smell which is familiar to the hamster.

Linda 123 · 04-09-2022, 03:57 AM

Hi, good luck for today's vet visit, I'm sure it will go well. My last dwarf hamster had a bulging eye too, and the lovely vet at Anton Vets in Andover sorted her out.
You should have seen me trying to get eye drops twice a day into a wriggling hamster, there was more of the liquid on me than on her!!
She wasn't keen on being picked up (she bit the vet!) so I generally use a cardboard tube with a couple of sunflower seeds inside it. Hammy walks inside to get the treat, then you or the vet can gently pick up the tube with hammy inside.
Best wishes xx

Kittiot · 04-09-2022, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linda 123

Hi, good luck for today's vet visit, I'm sure it will go well. My last dwarf hamster had a bulging eye too, and the lovely vet at Anton Vets in Andover sorted her out.
You should have seen me trying to get eye drops twice a day into a wriggling hamster, there was more of the liquid on me than on her!!
She wasn't keen on being picked up (she bit the vet!) so I generally use a cardboard tube with a couple of sunflower seeds inside it. Hammy walks inside to get the treat, then you or the vet can gently pick up the tube with hammy inside.
Best wishes xx

Thanks!
Do you mind if I ask what yours ended up being? Our vet came to the conclusion that it might be glaucoma (doubtful though) or just spontaneous eye enlargement with no real underlying cause, since she is in perfect health otherwise. She checked her teeth to make sure there was no issues there and she's all good.
I was told just to give her lubricating eye gel once a day to make her eye comfortable and just hope for the best.
Unfortunately we don't have exotic vets even remotely nearby, so this is the best I can do!

Linda 123 · 04-09-2022, 11:27 PM

Hi, yes it was diagnosed as glaucoma. Like you, my local vet wasn"t sure so they put me in touch with the exotic specialist