help! i think my hamster is dying!!!?

Question

hes a dwaf hamster, about two years old and has been breathing really heavily since last night. its like hes weezing! the poor thing breathes really fast and then sort of looses his breath every now and then. what can i do to help him? what could it be???

Answer 1

if he is breathing abnormally and he seems like he is out of breath, he may have a lung infection or cold, when they have either of which, they can breathe fast and sometimes be out of breath

heres a website on lung infections:
http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/hamster_lung_infection.htm

if you really think that it is a lung infection, a cold, or pneumonia, you NEED to take it to the vet in order to have a chance at survival, most hamsters don't make it through a bad cold, and since your hamster is having breathing problems i don't think he will make it on his own =[

it could also be his time to go, remember that hamsters usually live about 2-3 years, and it isn't abnormal for a hamster to die at age 2, and it could be his time to go, im really sorry!

i hope for the best for your hammy! good luck! email me if you have any questions

Answer 2

because he is a smaller breed compared to the Syrian , he has a shorter lifespan .
Dwafs last about 2 years on average.
However, he might not be dying of old age , he could have something wrong with him , so just to be on the safe side , take him to a vet. He could be in pain and it might be better to have him put to sleep . but hopefully he will be okay.
good luck
wish the little chap the best of luck
xoxoxo

Answer 3

*If he's still eating well, and active, call an exotics vet to seek advice, it may be something treatable*.
If he's lethargic, and not eating, he's probably near the end of his life. He may have a URI, pnemonia, or lung failure. There isn't much of a point in bringing him into a vet, he's old. Just make him comfortable, spend time with him. He'll probably be gone soon. I'm really sorry. 2 years old is a good age for a hammy. If you feel he's suffering, and that euthanasia is a good option, call an exotics vet.

Answer 4

I'm am SO sorry!! Dwarf Hamsters only live up to 1 yr, so her might be old. If your hamster is doing anything out of the ordinary that worries you - coughing, wheezing, shaking, developing sores or callouses, walking weird, or any other abnormal behaviour - see a vet immediately because he might be very ill and will need immediate assistance.

Wet Tail:

Wet Tail is a bacterial infection or an imbalance of the natural bacteria in the hamster's stomach or intestine and is often confused with diarrhoea. Although a hamster with Wet Tail has diarrhoea, the diarrhoea is so severe that the hamster is wet and/or dirty not only around the anus but usually around the top of the tail as well. The diarrhoea is accompanied by a strong unpleasant smell. Droppings are pale in colour and extremely soft and may contain mucus. The hamster often walks hunched up, is weak and lethargic and may squeal in pain. Symptoms take 7 days to appear and the disease is often fatal with death occurring as early as 24 hours after the appearance of the symptoms. Therefore it is vital that veterinary treatment is sought immediately if a hamster shows symptoms of Wet Tail. Do not comletely rely on over-the-counter products such as Dry-Tail to treat Wet Tail as these are often not effective against severe cases of Wet Tail. These should only be used if it is not possible to get the hamster to a vet immediately and veterinary advice should still be sought at the earliest opportunity, but do ensure if you have used any over-the-counter product that you inform your vet when you visit.
Any equipment occupied or used by a hamster that has died from Wet Tail should be disinfected thoroughly with a disinfectant designed for small animal cages and left to stand for a few weeks before being used by another hamster.T he hamster may be stricken by colds, also by such kinds that otherwise hits humans. For that reason you should be careful about your own hygiene if you in case of cold should have to manage the hamster. If the hamster sneezes and its nose or eyes runs, the cage should be cleaned immediately. Polish the cage extra carefully (not cotton) and place it where it is varm and free from draught. In case the hamster doesn´t recover after a few days, a veterinarian should be contacted. A typical hamster disease is what in English is called “wet tail” with diarrhoea and apathy. This disease may, if nothing is done, lead to the death. The preparation “dry tail”, which is intended to repeal this condition, is sold in hamster shops. The hamster must receive additional liquid to compensate for the loss of liquid caused by the diarrhea, as well. “Wet tail” could very likely break out because of sudden changes in environment and handling. Young hamsters should not be subject to an excess of sudden managing. Hamsters are sensitive to falling and may never be dropped by an upright standing person.Respiratory Infections: hamsters can get respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia. Signs include sneezing, discharge from eyes or nose, wheezing and labored breathing. Occasional sneezing is not too worrisome, but if there is any loss of appetite, decreased activity, wheezing or difficulties breathing, immediate veterinary attention should be sought.Skin Diseases: hamsters can be infested with a number of mites, which can be identified by a skin scraping by a vet and treated accordingly. Ringworm (actually a fungal infection) can also occur, and requires treatment by a vet. Allergies and skin infections can also occur. Hair loss is not all that unusual and can be seasonal or happen in older hamsters. If there is flakiness or redness of the skin or any lesions on the skin, or the hamster appears to be itchy and scratching more than usual, a vet should be seen. Hamsters do have scent glands on their flanks which can be dark and sometimes alarm owners. These occur on both sides of the body and do not appear irritated or bother the hamster. Cedar bedding can also cause skin irritation or allergies in addition to lung problems so should be avoided.

Hibernation: if the room temperature is allowed to drop below normal room temperature, hamsters will go into a sort of hibernating state, where they are very still and breathe very slowly. Many owners panic and think their hamster is dying or dead, when might be a matter of the hamster getting too cold (for exapmle if the owners go away for the day and turn the thermostat down in the house). Rewarming the hamster should be sufficient.

Important Note About Cedar Bedding: cedar emits volatile compounds which are irritating to the respiratory tract (and may also cause changes in the liver). Pine shavings also release volatile compounds to a lesser but still significant extent. These beddings (particularly cedar) may also cause a skin sensitivity or allergy, and should be avoided.

Antibiotics: several antibiotics cause a fatal toxicity in hamsters. Penicillin, amoxicillin, ampicillin, streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin, tetracyclines, lincomycin, erythromycin, vancomycin, cephalosporins, and gentamycin should be avoided.

Answer 5

Hamster only live about 2 years, that's a full life for them...I lost my 2.5 year old Syrian hamster about 2 months ago... it's possibly he's just at the end of his road. I'm sorry!

Answer 6

Okay, as Paige said, Okay This has been happening to me for the past week with my dwarfie. Same decription. Unfortunatly, your hamster is going to die. Mine died this morning.

But theres nothing you can do, just make it comfortable.
Good luck, and maybe yours will heal, as mine Didn't.

Email me at [e-mail]

if anything changes

Answer 7

My friend kami the rescue ( my best friend in real life ) dwarf hamster just this morning of the same symptoms. I would take it to the vet.

Answer 8

Go to a professional if you think he's dying. Stay calm and take him to the closest vet possible even if it isn't your vet.

Answer 9

He doesnt have wet tail
you really need to find a vet, and quickly.
keep him warm, and make sure he has water and food near.

Answer 10

he is old and his time may have come so just leave him in peace,and quiet