My hamster got a severe eye injury. antibiotic ointment? Would a human put that in their eye?

Question

I heard my hamster screaming and ran into the kitchen. I was shocked to see a giant RAT scurry away. My hamster had a busted eye and blood coming out of his mouth. Will he be blind in that eye forever? I live in a small town and no vet will see my hamster. One even laughed at me when i said , do you accept hamsters. I don't know if you are supposed to put triple antibiotic ointment right on an eyeball. Or is the point to forget about seeing out of that eye anymore and not get infection in eye cavity?

Answer 1

do not use triple antibiotic for his eye. There are eye ointments, but not that one. I think he will likely lose sight in that eye, but he isn't apt to really know it after just a little while..You can go to a livestock supply store and find something suitable for eye treatment..Just ask the shop owner (not the young help)
here are links to several tips for hamster eye injuries> http://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&channel=s&hl=en&q=hamster+eye+injury&btnG=Google+Search

Answer 2

Ointments used in the eye must be for eyes only. Nothing that goes on the skin should be put in the eye. IF you had a human eye ointment, and no vet will see the hamster, I would probably risk using the human eye ointment because a rat bite could cause a huge infection.
At least use a sterile eye wash to clean it. If you can get your vet to prescribe some antibiotics for your hamster that would be great. If there is no way to get antibiotics for the hamster, try talking to someone in a fish store. I know fish antibiotics can be used in emergencies on small animals, though you would have to be VERY careful about dosage by looking it up, or asking the vet.
This is a tough one because obviously you need a vet, but you can't get one.
Please try to post a question about it on one of the vet forums. Or go to one of the pet rodent forums and ask some people who know lots about rodents.
Here is a link to a UK hamster site. Because it is so late here I chose a UK site because it is daytime there and they will be awake to answer your questions.
Good luck. Poor little hamster.

Answer 3

Call around to other towns, there's got to a vet there to take your hamster in as a patient. Clean the eye with a moist wash cloth. What ever you do don't use the triple antibiotic ointment for cuts and abrasion in the eye, that will blind him or worse. Eye drops for humans is usually alright to use, be use only one drop per time. It sounds like th hamster may lose the eye, but will be fiine as long as you can keep it clean while it heals. I have a partially blind Russian dwarf, she was born with an under devolped eye. We have to put ophthalmic eye drops in the eye daily to keep it clean. If you have any eye drops for allergies like Pantanol, this is good to use. I use it on all my pets for their allergy eyes or when they get dirt in them from being outside. It doesn't burn or sting.

Like I said keep calling around until you find a vet willing to help you, I'm concerned about any infection in the eye from the bite of a wild rat. They carry so many diseases and sometimes rabies. I read where it's rare for rats to have rabies, but one never can know until it's too late for the bitten animal. Watch your hamster for the next 2-7 days for any signs of abnormal agression, not drinking or slobbering (foaming). I gave you a site to read so you can be aware of the signs of rabies. When dealing with wild animal bites, you can never be too careful. I'm dealing with a lone coyote for the last few weeks and it scares me that it may carry rabies.

We only have one vets office in our county and he's willing to take care of everything from a mouse to an emu and has. I can't understand a vet turning away a sick animal, it's against their oath. My vet is willing to look up the information on any animal if he doesn't know the answer.

Over the last few months I have spent over $150 on treating hamsters and other small animals with antibiotics, any animal is worth the money no matter the outcome. I had to put one down after $28 worth of antibiotics alone and he was free, but well worth my money spent.

You also will need to find out where and how the rat got into your hame and try to keep it out, you may need to get a rat trap and kill it so it won't come back again. Sounds cruel, but this time your hamster, next time you!

Answer 4

I would think they would take hamsters. You may have to find a vet in a neighboring town who will see him. And I wouldn't put that on his eye, it's not meant for human eyes or any eye in general. I would think a vet might give him a shot, or give you some medicine to put in his water for an infection. I would be afraid to administer anything that isn't specifically for that type of injury, you don't want the little guy to get hurt even further.

Answer 5

Any eye specific medications for humans can be used on your hamster. Most veterinarians will not do small animals because of the cost to look at and medicate them.. a $5.00 hamster with a $60.00 vet bill... (Poodles get priority)...

Answer 6

Human eye ointment is fine for animals. They use the exact same ingredients in both, human and pet eye ointments, is is just often that the same ones for humans is more expensive. it is better to start on a mild antibiotic ointment or drops such as Brolene.

Answer 7

Yes you can, there is an antibiotic for the eyes, it's called Tetracyclin eye ointment. It's the best