Sticky eyes

LRansom · 06-29-2010, 06:18 PM

Hi folks,
My Syrian boy is about 18 months old now. I have noticed that whenever he wakes up after a long sleep his eyes are stuck shut until he grooms his face. At first I would wipe them over with damp cotton wool to open them until I realised he could do it himself. He hates the cotton wool dabbing anyway as he would constantly push it away with his paws!

There is no excessive discharge or reddness and I also read that this often happens with older hammies. Saying that is there anyway that this can be prevented or eased?

Amethyst_ice · 06-29-2010, 07:14 PM

this may be wrong but i find sometimes they get a little sawdust in their eyes and this causes it.

What bedding (house and floor) do you use? It may be a small eye infection or it may simply be 'sleep'...gizmos eyes used to do this for a small while.

wait see what everyone else says. may be a small eye infection or just a local irritation x

FluffNoodle · 06-29-2010, 07:19 PM

its probably just from sleeping ive heard of people when they wake up in the morning the eye goo makes it hard to open ur eyes right away

souffle · 06-30-2010, 03:45 AM

This is quite common in older hammies and there is usually no cause except that their tear glands down work as well. If they can't wash them open on their own we usually just wipe with a damp cotton ball like you do.
If they get very bad you can get some drops just in case it is a slight infection.

LRansom · 06-30-2010, 08:33 AM

Thanks guys, I am relieved. It doesn't seem to bother him anyway even with his eyes stuck shut he is very good about being picked up was long as I let him know I'm there first.

He's such a sweet and gentle boy I can't believe he is getting on a bit already. I have never owned a hamster that appreciates kisses and cuddles as much as he does!