:hamster: Common Hamster Injuries / Illnesses :hamster:

✩ Cuts / Scrapes ✩

Like us, hamsters can get cuts and scrapes. If you’ve spotted a little injury like this, inspect where they could have gotten it wrong and remove it to ensure they won’t get cut again. To treat, dab a cotton ball in warm water and dab very gently to clean the wound. If it’s deep or big, the hamster needs to see a vet.

✩ Abscesses ✩

Infections cause little bumps full of puss called “abscesses.” Hamsters can get them anywhere- even their mouth. Usually the bacteria Streptococcus or Staphylococcus are the main causes, but it could also be anything else. Abscesses are very painful to hamsters and will need to be taken to a vet for it to be drained and cleansed.

✩ Bar Rub ✩

If your hamster cage has bars, then you might notice that your hamster spends a lot of time gnawing at them. This behaviour, if done a lot, can result in hair loss and bleeding, and perhaps even permanent scarring due to them.

✩ Circling ✩

If your hamster moves in circles, running round seemingly without cause, then this could be a behaviour known as ‘circling’ or ‘twirling’ and could indicate that there’s something wrong with your pet. There are a number of different causes, but perhaps one of the most common is also one of the most treatable - an ear infection. If a vet is able to diagnose this condition then they can prescribe a medicine which should provide your pet with some relief, and they’ll stop circling quite quickly.

✩ Coughs and Colds ✩

Hamsters can catch colds just as we can, and these illnesses can even be ed from human to hamster. If you’re not very well, or if a member of your household isn’t very well, then it’s a good idea to keep you (or them) away from your pet for a little while until the illness has ed. It also may be best to keep the ill pet away from any other hamsters you have for a little while.

✩ Dry Ears ✩

If you notice that the skin on your hamster’s ears is flaky, then you may also notice that your hamster is scratching them a lot. If this is the case, then you can alleviate the problem with a little bit of petroleum jelly. Smoothing a tiny bit of this on your pet’s ears will help the symptoms for a while, but you might want to start building this treatment into your regular care routine.

✩ Dehydration ✩

If your hamster is lying down and not moving, and possibly hyperventilating too, then your pet could be suffering from dehydration. Get your hamster out of the heat as quickly as possible, and smooth a bit of cool, but not icy, water onto them to try to cool them. It’s a good idea to put a little saucer of water in their cage temporarily, encouraging them to drink as much as possible. Many people underestimate how hot hamster cages can get, particularly those made of glass or plastic. We strongly suggest keeping your pet’s enclosure out of direct sunlight.

✩ Overgrown Nails ✩

If your hamster’s nails have grown long enough to develop a strong curve, one that is so strong that the nail is beginning to grow back towards the hamster’s foot, then you’ll probably need to trim your hamster’s nails. Human nail scissors or clippers can be used for this. Trimming will need to be performed by an adult. Probably the best technique is to only take off a tiny, tiny piece of nail at a time, as hamsters have blood vessels in their toes which are very painful if cut. Stop once the nail no longer curls.

✩ Parasites ✩

Unfortunately, hamsters can get infected with a number of parasites that can cause your pets a lot of discomfort. When you’re checking your pet’s health, it’s a good idea to know some of the symptoms of parasitic infection so that you can identify these problems if your pet develops an infection.

✩ Respiratory Infections ✩

If your hamster is coughing, wheezing, sneezing, has a runny nose or eyes, or is having difficulty breathing, then it may be suffering from a respiratory infection. These problems need veterinary treatment as soon as possible, because they can hinder your pet’s ability to breathe. Be aware that respiratory infections share a number of symptoms with allergies.

✩ Strokes ✩

Like humans, hamsters can suffer from strokes. If your hamster has had a stroke, then it will look very dizzy, and may continually move back and forth, even when it’s sitting down. Strokes can have minor and major effects, but effects of even quite severe strokes can wear off with time.

And sadly there’s many more. But usually our hamsters are healthy and happy, which is extremely lucky!