my hamsters eyelids are stuck together with mucus or something. what should i do!? should i just let her clean it herself? also i think her left cheek pouch is swollen...
2007-05-17 11:38:57 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
We never mess around with the eyes. Usually if something is going on with the eyes there is always a secondary infection/problem elsewhere. Please call your veterinarian and have your little guy seen. Your vet is going to want to know if you have changed anything lately (bedding, toys, feed, etc.). Good luck and please call as soon as you can.
2007-05-17 11:52:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yep I'm afraid that first answer is pretty much correct.
To expand, I'll add that it does sound like your hamster needs veterinary attention, but you won't find it here - even if there is a vet online, they'll tell you they can't help without seeing the animal!
Take hammy to a vet, or at least call one. Stuck together eyes can be eye infections but are most commonly a general sign of illness, so she needs to be seen.
Chalice
2007-05-17 11:51:55 · answer #2 · answered by Chalice 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not a vet nor a tech, but I am a small animal rescuer with quite a bit of experience with hamsters (over 31 yrs off and on). The hamster needs to be seen by a vet no matter what. You can take a cotton ball or wash cloth, dampen with warm water and wipe the eyes out to help unstick them. This can be a 2 person job depending on attitude of hamster. The mucus is an infection of the eye generally called pink eye if I'm not mistaken. The vet can give her drops or an ointment to help that. You are sure theat there's no food stored in the hamsters cheek pouch? If the cheek pouch is indeed swollen, then it may filled with infection and it needs immediate vet attention. Please don't delay in taking her. This is what happened to one of my hamsters upon getting sick, even with vet care.
In March, I had a viberant male black hair Syrian (black bear) and he was great and my buddy. He suddenly lost weight over night and he presented to have wet tail, so he was treated for it, but he was worse 2 days later. my vet was in Alaska at the race and would be back over the weekend and it was Friday night at this time. I rushed him to the vet first thing on Monday morning and he was diagnosed with an intestional infection, given antibiotics. He was almost finished that round when he started to backslide, back to the vet for a stronger antibiotic. While there I was rubbing his neck and noticed a lump, I thought it was food at first, but it didn't feel right, so I had the vet check it too. The source of his illness was found, he had a severe infection of the side of his face. We took him home and I had to hand feed him by now and he would eat if I hand fed him. 3 days later, he pushed the syringe away from his mouth, I knew he wanted to go, I put him back in his cage hoping he'd go in his sleep, but he didn't. I took him to the vet one last time and had him put down. We also discovered his lower teeth had become loose as a result of the jaw infection and could have fell out. By the time things were done, I'd spent enough to pay my trash and sewer bills that month, plus and I'd spent triple that if needed to have saved him. The vet suspected cancer, but didn't ever confirm it at least not to me. Jet was about 2-3 yrs, but we never knew his age, we were asked to take him by a pet store who was given him to sell, but he was too old at about 12-16 months old, we had him for 8 months.
By no means this is what has happened to yours, but be aware they can go down hill very fast.
2007-05-17 13:00:20 · answer #3 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok I'm not a vet but i think i know what to do ok if their eyes are like that then wipe them with a towel and for the cheek thing then make sure its not food and put some medication on the cheek....... I Hope This Helps!!!! :)
2007-05-20 12:44:45 · answer #4 · answered by *Gerbil Lover* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to GO see a vet!! Not try to find one online!!
2007-05-17 12:30:26 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you seriously expect licensed veterinarians to dispense free advice on-line?
2007-05-17 11:42:28 · answer #6 · answered by twosweethounds 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
put warm water on them 'till they open.
2007-05-20 11:34:34 · answer #7 · answered by Nara 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe it is blind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Take it to the vet
2007-05-19 05:34:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋