Poorly hamster

[Nancienoo]

I got a hamster two weeks ago from pets at home, he seemed fine full of energy and lovely and cuddly no issues. Cleaning his mess up everyday, fresh water/food and cleaning out, taking him out every night. Saturday I noticed his eye slightly closing it just went worse today when I checked on him his both eyes are completely closed there is a black spot next to his ear and a huge lump on one of his cheeks. He’s not coming out of his corner. I’ve got the vets today at 2.30 should I be preparing to put him to sleep

[SilentHedges]

@Nancienoo Sorry to hear your Hamsters health is not good How did things go with the vet?

[Nancienoo]

i was going expecting to put him to sleep so was relieved when they told me they could treat him I got him from pets at home and it’s only been two weeks so they are putting him on antibiotics he had serve conjunctivitis and a really bad abscess they said hel be in there for week or two until he’s well and ready to come home x

[Nancienoo]

@SilentHedges

@Nancienoo Sorry to hear your Hamsters health is not good How did things go with the vet?

Just so happens my mum cleans the store and can check on him every day i got really attached to him in the two week x

[SilentHedges]

OK, that's better news. Unfortunately most rodents supplied to Pets at Home are mass bred in rodent Mills, and this can affect their health. Avoid using sawdust or shavings (often sold by Pets at Home), they are irritants, carefree, kaytee, finacard, megazorb etc are much better for their health.

He's lucky to have you taking care of him and I hope pulls through OK ❤

[SilentHedges]

(Carefresh not Carefree)

[Nancienoo]

I really do hope so I just cuddled him all morning up until his appointment sensing healing and love in to him, I’m aware of the pets at home do this after some research. Is there a good chance he can survive this with antibiotics? And where would I buy all the items above? x

[Nancienoo]

Little guy

[SilentHedges]

Carefresh and Kaytee Clean and Cozy, Pets at Home sell both of these.

Megazorb Animal Bedding - Amazon

Finacard - Hamster Bedding www.finacard.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=46

It depends on your budget and which you prefer, but go for unbleached dust extracted products.

Pets at Home sell many cages that are far too small (minimum length should be 80-100cm). They do sell the Savic Plaza which or Savic Hamster Heaven which are the right size and you can fit a 28cm wheel in there (Trixie do plastic or silent wooden versions). A smaller wheel, 21cm and less and Hamsters suffer back damage. You may already have this sorted, in which case great, and I'm just putting it out here for other Hamster owners as Pets at Home don't always give the best advice.

Good to see your little guy recovering. Rodents usually respond well to antibiotics.

www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/savic-plaza-hamster-and-rat-cage?overlay_image=offer&istCompanyId=7255ccad-a1fc-4729-af31-478f79e5071c&istFeedId=82241121-9b34-4cd9-a017-97d53f8b4d48&istItemId=itxmxrlpm&istBid=t

www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-61011-Rotating-Hamsters-Assortment/dp/B00365P9NY/ref=asc_df_B00365P9NY/?amp%3BlinkCode=df0&amp%3Bhvadid=255759595579&amp%3Bhvnetw=g&amp%3Bhvrand=473916398172762576&amp%3Bhvdev=m&amp%3Bhvlocphy=1006466&amp%3Bhvtargid=pla-421884349185&amp%3Bpsc=1&amp%3Bth=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[Nancienoo]

@SilentHedges

Carefresh and Kaytee Clean and Cozy, Pets at Home sell both of these.

Megazorb Animal Bedding - Amazon

Finacard - Hamster Bedding www.finacard.co.uk/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=46

It depends on your budget and which you prefer, but go for unbleached dust extracted products.

Pets at Home sell many cages that are far too small (minimum length should be 80-100cm). They do sell the Savic Plaza which or Savic Hamster Heaven which are the right size and you can fit a 28cm wheel in there (Trixie do plastic or silent wooden versions). A smaller wheel, 21cm and less and Hamsters suffer back damage. You may already have this sorted, in which case great, and I'm just putting it out here for other Hamster owners as Pets at Home don't always give the best advice.

Good to see your little guy recovering. Rodents usually respond well to antibiotics.

www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/savic-plaza-hamster-and-rat-cage?overlay_image=offer&istCompanyId=7255ccad-a1fc-4729-af31-478f79e5071c&istFeedId=82241121-9b34-4cd9-a017-97d53f8b4d48&istItemId=itxmxrlpm&istBid=t

www.amazon.co.uk/Trixie-61011-Rotating-Hamsters-Assortment/dp/B00365P9NY/ref=asc_df_B00365P9NY/?amp%3BlinkCode=df0&amp%3Bhvadid=255759595579&amp%3Bhvnetw=g&amp%3Bhvrand=473916398172762576&amp%3Bhvdev=m&amp%3Bhvlocphy=1006466&amp%3Bhvtargid=pla-421884349185&amp%3Bpsc=1&amp%3Bth=1&tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

he was in isolation last night and they noticed he wasn’t drinking or eating and was very cold so took him back up to the vets. I’m worried I’ve phoned but still in the vets I’m guessing loss of appetite and cold is not a good sign I’m so sad heartbroken. Is there a chance the poor guy will pull through? x

[Nancienoo]

@Nancienoo

he was in isolation last night and they noticed he wasn’t drinking or eating and was very cold so took him back up to the vets. I’m worried I’ve phoned but still in the vets I’m guessing loss of appetite and cold is not a good sign I’m so sad heartbroken. Is there a chance the poor guy will pull through? x

I’m just so upset about it all he was cuddly and loved being stroked x

[Nancienoo]

I just feel as though it’s something I’ve done I had a hamster Charlie that was with me for two years done great, doesn’t help people saying he’s only a Hamster you’ve had for two week. x

[SilentHedges]

Not eating or drinking at all, does indicate its more serious. Fingers crossed for you.

It's nothing at all that you've done! If you've had your Hamster only 2 weeks, he sadly was already sick when you bought him. You've done far more than most people, and the most you can at this stage. If hes seeing the vet, they'll do their best for him.

[Nancienoo]

forgot to mention he had a abscess on his cheek it looked like he had food stored but it was actually a abscess. I phoned at 3 and he was with the vets i just feel silly phoning every hour like I’m being a pest x

[Nancienoo]

Do you know how long it would take for him to respond to antibiotics? I would of thought from 2.30 yesterday maybe they would of started working x

[Nancienoo]

I’ve Googled these rodent mills and feel sick to my stomach, surely that’s animal cruelty probably shouldn’t of looked it up 😪x

[Notanotherwindow]

If you get the jars of cow and gate baby food, the one for youngest babies, the Sunday chicken dinner one and the egg custard are both safe for hamsters and they love them. Will help get some nutrients into him. Also a hot water bottle under one side of his cage will help keep him warm like under floor heating.

I did this for two of my hamsters. One was very ill and didn't recover and the other was just very elderly but the underfloor heating method kept her arthritis manageable over the winter. Both loved the baby food.

[Nancienoo]

@Notanotherwindow

If you get the jars of cow and gate baby food, the one for youngest babies, the Sunday chicken dinner one and the egg custard are both safe for hamsters and they love them. Will help get some nutrients into him. Also a hot water bottle under one side of his cage will help keep him warm like under floor heating.

I did this for two of my hamsters. One was very ill and didn't recover and the other was just very elderly but the underfloor heating method kept her arthritis manageable over the winter. Both loved the baby food.

thanks for your advice he’s in the vets I don’t think hel be coming home, I keep going to check and remember he’s not there I pray they do everything for him x

[Notanotherwindow]

I do hope he's OK. I had one in the vets once on oxygen and fluids and he did recover. Praying that yours will too.

[Nancienoo]

@Notanotherwindow

I do hope he's OK. I had one in the vets once on oxygen and fluids and he did recover. Praying that yours will too.

Oh that’s brilliant ❤️glad he was ok, I’m just hoping I get the same outcome for little guy x

[Nancienoo]

@Nancienoo

Oh that’s brilliant ❤️glad he was ok, I’m just hoping I get the same outcome for little guy x

How long did it take him to get better and come home x

[Floralnomad]

Hope little hammy pulls through , we will keep our fingers and paws crossed for him .🐾💐

[Nancienoo]

@Floralnomad

Hope little hammy pulls through , we will keep our fingers and paws crossed for him .🐾💐

thankyou so much I’m heartbroken hope god is listening to me x

[daisydoods]

Hope he gets well soon op, he's beautiful ❤️

[Notanotherwindow]

He was in for about 4 days but took a few months to really be up and around. He was quite old at that point though, nearly 3 years old.

[Vallmo47]

I’m sorry, what a little cutie you have there. We had a hamster so I do understand how fond of them you get. Fingers crossed for him, he’s in the right hands.