Hamster has one red eye, one black.

[heidii]

A couple rescue hamsters came to me today, though they likely won't stay long at all as I do already have homes for them.
I did notice however that one of the hamsters had one black eye, and the other is red. There is no swelling or discharge, and it looks like a totally normal red eye. They were cohoused so I am not sure if it could be a trauma related incident, I am just confused by the fact that the hamster seems absolutely fine & alert despite the eye. I saw online that it is quite rare, and pet store hamsters are unlikely to have this. I will take him to the vets soon to get him checked, but I just wanted some of your opinions.

The white one is 56g and the other brother is 66g, so quite chunky little boys. The owners had removed the wheel as "there wasn't much space to run with it in there".

Sorry for the image quality, I only got them a few hours ago and took pictures as the cage was being cleaned out. black eye, red eye, the brothers

[Ria P]

I collected a rescue Syrian once who had a black eye and a red eye. I told the lady who took her into her rescue expressing my concerns. She just laughed and told me that there's absolutely nothing wrong with the hamster and that she had always wanted to see one of those hamsters with different coloured eyes.
I can't see why pet shop hamsters are more unlikely to have those eyes. I'm sure that the hamster i had was originally from a pet shop.

Happens with humans as well. I think David Bowie had differently coloured eyes.

I can't see the photos.

[heidii]

Does it not working if you click the link? I just worry as the girl had said that it developed red, and they weren't born with one black/one red eye.

As far as I am aware, the reason why it is less popular in pet store hamsters is because heterochromia can be genetic. Unsure if that goes for hamsters, but if it is, then breeders are more likely to want that trait over pet stores, making them rarer if they are from a pet store? Not entirely sure.

[Pebbles82]

It's a genetic thing - it happens sometimes. Nothing to worry about. Called heterochromia. It's explained on this thread

One red eye and one black eye?? - Hamster Central

[heidii]

So not a cause for concern, even though both hamsters lived together?

[Pebbles82]

Do you mean they were two Syrians houses together? Or dwarf hamsters? By the weight I am guessing dwarf hamsters. I am unsure if the genetic eye colouring applies to dwarf hamsters as well as Syrians but it would do no harm to have a vet check. It doesn’t necessarily mean they have been fighting if houses together. Are there any signs of injury otherwise?

[Pebbles82]

Google says heterochromia can occur in either Syrian or dwarf hamsters. Does the eye look normal otherwise? No white dot in the middle or conjunctivitis? A vet check wouldn’t do any harm except there may not be much they can do about it (you could ask for a check for glaucoma though as there are eye drops for that). Could you find out if the hamster has always had this red eye though? That might give an indication of whether it’s a birth genetic thing or a recent change.

[heidii]

The eye is seemingly perfectly fine, I'll check again when the hamsters awake. They were sold as "Russian Dwarf", so I can't be sure if they are Winter Whites (doubtful as they are from the pet store), Campbell's or hybrids. There is no swelling, and from what I remember there wasn't anything peculiar about the eye. I will be taking the white one to the vets definitely, however, as I do believe he has something on his stomach, but he's too quick for me to get a good look at it.

[Engel]

Looks like heterochromia and absolutely nothing to worry about. My late Mania had one black and one red (I'll see if I have a photo).

Worth noting as you have a Syrian? (I mean as your personal ham). Dwarves have a scent gland on their stomach. If they're white I've found it can make the fur discoloured. Sometimes it can get blocked and a simple warm compress can help.

Just a few things to think about as you're rescuing and rehoming:
- keep all rescue hamsters in a different room to where your own hamsters are (to prevent the spread of disease).
- have a quarantine period of 2-3 weeks. This will allow for any illesses to crop up or any pregnancies to become apparent
- if you haven't already get virkon or F10. These are broad spectrum and depending on dilution, can kill most bacteria, viruses and fungi. (F10sc Can kill parvovirus and one I use myself.)

Regarding the eye changing colour. Could be ruby eyed. Appears almost black until it's properly in the light.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Engel

- if you haven't already get virkon or F10. These are broad spectrum and depending on dilution, can kill most bacteria, viruses and fungi. (F10sc Can kill parvovirus and one I use myself.).

Sorry heidii, i don't mean to hog your thread.

I have never heard of virkon and F10.
Is this something a vet prescribes as a preventive measure, if yes, how is it administered?