Hello right now i feel like the worse mum in the world !

[souffle]

Yes they can appear quite normal, maybe sleeping a bit more with a chest problem. We have had it several times and the only signs were clicky breathing. It does sound like she is chattering because she has a sore tail and paws. I'm sure the vet will have some treatment. She may have been scrabbling to try and get back up the hole and grazed her feet. Try not too worry too much as hammies, just like us will heal up well given time. If she has been standing in wee she may have urine burns too on her paws and they too will heal. Tail breaks are quite common and it may heal crooked but she will be fine.
I hope she gets on well at the vets tommorrow.

[suga]

They can continue to behave in the usual manner - but eventually a chest infection can take a hold and then they can go down hill quite quickly. Its best to be safe and let an expert check and i'm glad you are going to get an appointment. At least that way you will know whats happening if anything and will know you have given everything possible in case. A trip down a hole and an adventure that she has had would possibly want checked out anyway.
Don't worry about asking questions, that's what were here to help with.

[KaylaJane]

Thank you for all the help you have been great i cant wait to take her the vets tomorrow just so it can put my mind at ease and i can no for sure.
Thanks again michaela xox

[Flissy]

I hope you get on ok at the vets today! Hopefully your hammy is ok

Originally Posted by souffle

The pouches are cute but I'm afraid they are not suitable to be left in the cage as if she chewed the cloth or thread it could block up her bowel.

Really? My dwarf hamster loves his and Sausage has one of those yellow fluffy hanging things would feel mean taking them away from them though as they are their favourite things to snuggle in

[KaylaJane]

Thanks i rang the vets this morning and tinx has an appointment at 6.35 its going to cost me £15 plus tax to get her seen to also if she need antibiotics am dredding how much thats going to cost :s as long as i no she's ok. i guess im going to have to pay the price it was my fault she got out in the first place afterall :S

Fissy do your hamster chew the fluffy things or just use them as something to snuggle? I was thinking that chewing them is probably bad for them but i dont no about just using them to sleep ? x

[Flissy]

Originally Posted by KaylaJane

Thanks i rang the vets this morning and tinx has an appointment at 6.35 its going to cost me £15 plus tax to get her seen to also if she need antibiotics am dredding how much thats going to cost :s as long as i no she's ok. i guess im going to have to pay the price it was my fault she got out in the first place afterall :S

Fissy do your hamster chew the fluffy things or just use them as something to snuggle? I was thinking that chewing them is probably bad for them but i dont no about just using them to sleep ? x

Good luck at the vets, hopefully she will be ok but at least you will know for sure as small animals can go downhill very fast so its best to get her checked out before anything gets worse

My dwarf hamster seems to pull out some of the fluff from his snuggle pouch thing but I don't know if he actually eats it

[KaylaJane]

Hey guys just got back from the vets tinks does have a chest infection poor little thing i felt so mean disturbing her she wasnt happy when we put her in the box and she moved about quite a bit on the journey she was checked over by the vet and now shes bk in her cage but the thing is now she wont go in her bed and is sitting still in the corner of her cage and wont move i hope after all this she makes it ! we have put some antibiotics in her water im just hoping she drinks some tonight . the vet was suprised with the story and thinks we should put it in the news paper haha. she has another checkup a week today so fingers crossed she gets better xoxo

[souffle]

Good for you getting her seen and getting her meds
You should not give the antibiotics in water. Did you get a little syringe and what is the name of the meds? Normally it is Baytril and the dose is 0.1ml once a day. Phone the vet and ask if you can give her the meds straight in to her mouth. Baytril tastes horrid and a hamster will avoid drinking. They never get a proper measured dose in the water if they get any at all. To give the meds you need to get a little cloth and wrap her up so just head pokes out. One person holds the swaddled ham and the other puts the syringe in the side of the mouth and squirts the meds in to the cheek. She will not like it but quickly give her a treat to wash it down.
I really would encourage you to try and give her it this way as she definitly will not get the meds in the water.
I think she is stressed out by her visit which is why she is unsettled. Try putting her in a dark quiet room and hopefully she should settle down again. Hope she is better soon.

[KaylaJane]

hey yes the med is baytrail he gave us 7 ml and said to put 1 ml per 50 ml of water. Im confused now i dont no what to do i dont want to hurt her again by getting her out and stuffin meds in her face especially after shes just got home and is stressed as it is i really want to get the meds down he asap as i dnt want her getting worse Mum keeps saying this is going to send her over the edge im so stressed now my poor baby is ill and its all my fault ! Also how can i measure such a small dose the vet gave me two syringes one with the meds in and one to measure her water with. We was thinking of sticking some of the medication in the readybreak as we no she loves this but how much should we put in it ? This is so stressfull i cant beleive you have done this so many times before. Im scared of overdosing her and scared of loosing her at the same time ! im sorry for the 21 questions i feel like im being a pain in the bum
Thanks michaela X

[souffle]

You can measure the 0.1ml if the syringe has graduations. It is like a drop really. If she will take it in the ready brek then try that. You mustn't give her 1ml though as that is measures to account for a dilution in the water and would be too much. Have you seen her even try the water with it in? It tastes horrid. I've tried it.
I have had many hamsters treated with Baytril and the dose is 0.1ml, twice a day. Try putting one drop in the porridge as see if she eats it? Then you could put the rest of the 1ml in the water for today. If she is getting fluid from the porridge she is very unlikely to drink much water then you can call the vet and say she is not touching the water and can you give her the meds by mouth.
Honest it is easy and very quick. You can do it easily. It is only one drop!