So tonight he was climbing on the bars like he always does and he started freaking out. half of his jaw was stuck outside the bars. He stopped struggling and was just like there, so I lifted the bar as much as I could to help him get out, and then he started to fight again and got out. Now his eyes look bloody and he wont take any treats. I have had hamsters my whole life, but this has never happened, and I don't know what to do! Help!
2007-02-14 17:14:07 · 7 answers · asked by kathleenita 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I don't have to tell you the injury was caused from the struggling. He's the best advice I can offer you, make sure that you keep your hamster warm and check on him every half an hour or so. Try giving him special treats such as apple, cucumber, scrambled egg, etc. If he rejects them the his mouth/jaw may still be hurting him. Bring his water bottle to him and see if he'll at least drink from it. Hopefully he improves. In the best case scenario, he just burst the blood vessels in his eyes to the struggle. In the worst case scenario, he sustained a brain injury, dislocated his jaw or broke his jaw. With the brain injury, he may be hemmorhaging which is why you'd see blood in his eyes or his brain may be swelling. Either condition is not good and could lead to death. If his jaw is dislocated, a vet may be able to relocate for you. If his jaw is broken, it will heal on its own but you should modify its diet so it doesn't starve to death before it heals. Give lots of soft foods such as applesauce, yogurt, oatmeal, soft boiled egg yolk, broth/soup, etc.. Just think of things he can swallow without chewing.
I give the advice "go to a vet" with hesitation as most vets don't know how to treat hamsters. Sure they all tell you they do when you call and ask. They are more than happy to take your money. It's just frustrating when you go to them and you know more about hamsters than they do. Thus take the "go to the vet advice" with a grain of salt, if there isn't a excellent rodent vet near you then it will be a waste of your time and money.
If you see your friend declining, you may need to make the decision to have him euthanized. It's the decision that every pet owner dreads but watching him die slowly is not the way you would want your little friend to suffer. You will be able to tell in the next day or two whether he's going to "turn around" or not.
-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com
2007-02-14 23:37:00 · answer #1 · answered by radiocricket 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take him to the vet ASAP!!!! If it's very painful & bad at least you can cut his suffering short by putting him to sleep but if his eyes look bloody he probably got hurt.
2007-02-14 17:38:42 · answer #2 · answered by Catcanscratch 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would take him to the vet. He might have broken a bone, and he has just acted weird because he was in great pain.
2007-02-14 23:58:11 · answer #3 · answered by fwopzdog 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take him to a vet asap!!
If you can't get him to a vet, call an animal emergency care clinic and ask for advice.
2007-02-14 17:21:40 · answer #4 · answered by Wendy 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
take him to the vet he could have damaged his jaw and possibly blinded himself when he got stuck.
2007-02-14 19:42:32 · answer #5 · answered by MommyCaleb 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Take it to the vet ASAP...he could have done serious damage to himself or weakened his heart or almost anything...Please take him to the vet!
2007-02-14 22:11:47 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
hes probably just is shock give him a few days
2007-02-14 17:21:23 · answer #7 · answered by Kekky 1 · 0⤊ 3⤋