Red ear

[RolyRocks]

I have just noticed today one of Loki's ears is slightly red and there is a small amount of crusty discharge, or possibly just ear wax.
Is this likely to be an ear infection? Will bathing it with some salt water help?
I am very reluctant to take him to a vet because of his very old age and in every other way he appears well and healthy.
I do have some antibiotics here that are unopened. I was given them a couple of weeks a go for his discoloured urine but thankfully never had to use them.

[Ria P]

A red ear and discharge sounds like an infection to me but i've never had ear problems with hamsters so can't talk from experience on this one.

I wouldn't give antibiotics without knowing what's wrong and bathing could make it worse if its an infection i think.
Personally, i'd get him checked out by a vet. In a big enough carrier and plenty of substrate Loki should be ok to travel.

Hopefully someone on here will have a better idea of what it could be and advise you.

[RolyRocks]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I wouldn't give antibiotics without knowing what's wrong and bathing could make it worse if its an infection i think.
Personally, i'd get him checked out by a vet. In a big enough carrier and plenty of substrate Loki should be ok to travel.

The trouble is I don't really have a vet I can trust to treat Loki. There is one lady vet who has an interest in exotics but even she got the dosage of his meds wrong. I have taken him a couple of times but I find they always just say try Metacam or Baytril. I have spoken with 3 different vet practices in my area and not one of them has anyone who knows much about treating hamsters, shocking isn't it!!
I am going to monitor his ear for the next 24 hours, he is already on Metacam.

[Ria P]

I know what you mean. I found two good hamster vets through trial and error. Most were cats and dogs vets with a couple who appeared to be scared of hamsters!