25 replies to this topic

[Taxonomist]

Disclaimers

 

The advice given on this section of the forum is not a substitute for veterinary care, and is not intended as such.  If your hamster is sick or injured, seeking vet care should always be your first priority. 

 

Vet care is sometimes the only solution to a problem.  There are going to be instances where members are told that the hamster needs to see a vet and that there's nothing else that can be done.

 

In addition, it is not Hamster Hideout forum's responsibility to provide rapid responses in the event of an emergency.  In an emergency situation, it is the pet owner's responsibility to get to a vet.

 

What You Should Understand BEFORE Asking for Help

 

Hamster Hideout does not have a vet on staff - No one on this forum is a licensed veterinarian.  What we do have is a group of dedicated hamster owners who will try to help any way they can.  We can offer advice to help ease pain and discomfort for hamsters, and possible solutions to minor medical issues.

 

Many ailments and injuries do not have effective "home cures" -  As much as we'd all love to be able to treat our hamsters cheaply and easily in the comfort of home, this simply isn't possible in many cases.  Some ailments require prescription medications or surgeries.  In these cases, the only option is to go to the vet.  Wet tail is a classic example of this.  There is absolutely no way to treat wet tail at home - a hamster with wet tail that does not receive veterinary care will die.  In many cases, you will receive the advice to seek out a vet, because often that is the only solution.

 

Different illnesses that need different treatments can often have the same symptoms - A "symptom" is just a sign of illness - it's what you see that makes you think your hamster might not be feeling well. The problem is that the same symptom can have many different causes.  Fur loss can be anything from simple dry skin / itching (fairly minor) to a mite infestation (moderately serious) to Cushings disease (extremely serious).  A lump can be a tumor, abscess, cyst, or hematoma.  Diarrhea can be an upset tummy from too many treats, or a deadly bacterial infection.  

 

Because of this, it may not be possible for us to tell you exactly what is wrong with your hamster.  Especially since many symptoms are just signs of pain or discomfort, which can be caused by tons of different ailments.  In some cases, testing is required to get an accurate diagnoses.

 

It is nearly impossible to accurately diagnose an illness without seeing, feeling, and listening to the hamster in question - This is why you actually take your hamster to the vet instead of just going there by yourself or calling.  Vets can't diagnose without seeing the animal in-person, so there's no way people on the internet can do so!  

 

It is important to be able to recognize emergencies.  The following symptoms should be considered emergencies, and are cause for a vet visit ASAP:

 

 

-Hamster showing signs of pain (excessive squeaking, limping)

-Difficulty breathing (often sounds like clicking)

-Any type of bleeding beyond a small scrape (especially if from eyes, mouth, nose, anus, genitals)

-Any unusual discharge (eyes, mouth, nose, ears, anus, genitals)

-Severe wounds (broken bones, lost limbs, deep cuts)

-Sudden weight gain or loss

-Lumps or growths

-Constipation or diarrhea (for more than a day or two)

-Loss of mobility (limp or wobbly)

-Boated or hard abdomen

 

We ask that all members use this forum responsibly, both in asking for and receiving help.  Recognize that life-threatening conditions, ailments that can become life-threatening, and infections require veterinary care.  Ailments cannot truly be diagnosed over the internet, and many conditions do not have home remedies. 

 

It is the sole responsibility of the owner to seek proper medical care in the form of a vet visit when necessary.

 

This thread has been adapted from this topic.

 

 

 

Vet Care and Hamsters

 

I'd like to start off this article with one simple statement that I hope will carry through.

 

Vet care is a requirement for responsible hamster ownership.

 

There's an unspoken idea that vet care is somehow "optional" or an "extra" for hamster ownership.  But the truth is, vet care is just as important as a large cage, safe bedding, high-quality food, and so on.  

 

We place so much emphasis on getting proper food and supplies...but vet care is usually an afterthought (or not even mentioned at all).  And really, it doesn't make any sense.  Not taking a sick hamster to the vet has a lot worse consequences than having it in a too-small cage or not giving it enough bedding.  

 

I would argue that being able to get your hamster to a vet is more important than providing it with proper supplies.

 

Put another way...a hamster in a too-small cage will likely be bored and restless.  But a hamster with an untreated broken leg will be in horrific pain for a very long time and will likely suffer permanent disfigurement due to improper healing.

 

Which situation is worse for the hamster?

 

Common Criticisms of Vet Care for Hamsters (with Rebuttals)

 

"You can't take a hamster to the vet - vets only treat cats and dogs, not hamsters."

 

This is simply untrue. Yes, many vets are "companion animal" vets - that is, they work exclusively with common companion animals (cats and dogs). However, those are not the only types of vets that exist.  Exotic veterinarians specialize in other small animals kept as pets, including (but not limited to) birds, rabbits, reptiles, amphibians, and rodents. There are vets that will see and treat hamsters.  Some even do surgery on them! In fact, there are even entire animal hospitals dedicated solely to exotic pets.  So yes, you can absolutely take a hamster to the vet - you just need to find the right vet!   

 

"Vets can't do anything for hamsters because they're so small."

 

Why would the practice of exotic veterinary medicine even exist if nothing could be done for hamsters?    Hamsters can be given medications like antibiotics and pain medicine.  Hamsters can have x-rays and ultrasounds.  Hamsters can have any number of tests done (fecal tests, blood tests, etc.).  Hamsters can be treated for chronic illnesses like diabetes.  Hamsters can even have surgeries.

 

"Hamsters don't need to go to the vet."

 

Hamsters are not robots or toys.  They are living, breathing animals.  They can and do get sick and injured just like you do.  They suffer pain just like you do.  And if they do, they need medical attention...just like you do.  If a hamster breaks its leg or develops a tumor or gets a respiratory infection...yes, it needs to go to the vet, plain and simple.

 

"It's not worth it to pay vet bills for a $10 animal."

 

Vet bills ALWAYS cost more than the animal itself, and usually significantly more.  This is just a simple fact of pet ownership.  It's true for cats and dogs as well - the lifetime cost of routine veterinary care for a dog (vaccinations, teeth cleaning, etc.) is going to be well over the initial cost of that dog.

 

Consider the following scenarios:

 

Is a dog that was purchased for $1000 from a pet store more "worthy" of vet care than one who was adopted from a shelter for $100?  

 

Let's say your friend buys a cat from a breeder for $500.  They have allergies, and give the cat to you for free.  Did the cat "deserve" vet care with your friend (because they paid money for it) but now suddenly isn't "worth it" because it was given away for free?

 

Vet bills are part of having a pet.  If someone is unwilling or unable to pay vet bills, that person should not get any new pets.

 

"Hamster vet bills are unreasonably expensive."

 

If you can afford to get a hamster and good-quality supplies, hamster vet bills should be within budget. Yes, vet bills will be the most expensive part of ownership. But hamster vet bills generally do not run thousands of dollars the way dog and cat bills might. It might cost a total of $200 - $300 to get an illness treated - that's including the exam fee, medicines, tests, and follow-up appointments. If it's something simple that requires only one visit and some meds, it could end up being only about $100. It's not absurdly expensive and it's not out of reach.

 

When it comes to the cost argument, one issue that often rears its ugly head is surgery.  Surgery on such a tiny animal can be very, very expensive.  I've personally been quoted nearly $1000 for a surgery on a hamster.  This is, undeniably, unattainable for some people.  

 

But that's not what this article is about.  There's a difference between not being able to afford a $1000 surgery and not even going for a simple checkup and maybe some medicine.  

 

Providing proper vet care does not mean paying for every possible procedure no matter how expensive.  It means at least getting the hamster to the vet when needed and being able to pay for basic medicines and simple treatments.

 

"My hamster is extremely sick / dying.  It's going to die and there's nothing that can be done about it, so why should I waste my money going to the vet?"

 

It's not always about fixing the issue or curing the disease.  It can be about something as simple as providing painkillers to ease the hamster's suffering.  It can even be about euthanasia.  

 

Taking a sick or injured hamster to the vet should not be about keeping the hamster around for the owner's benefit.  It should be about what is best for the hamster.

 

Follow-Up Questions and Concerns

 

"I own a hamster (or hamsters) and I can't get to the vet.  What do I do now?"

 

First thing is first.  Take a deep breath.

 

You are not a bad owner.  You are not a terrible person.  You are doing the best you can.   

 

I'm not going to lie and say that it's "okay," because it isn't.  It's not a good situation for you and not a good situation for your hamster.

 

The first thing you should do is try to remedy the situation.  Why is it that you can't go to the vet?

 

You can't afford it?  Start saving money.  If you are a minor, talk to your parents.  Talk to them about how you want to be 100% prepared to take care of your hamster that you took responsibility for.  Tell them how you want to live up to your commitment, but you need some help or advice on how to save money or make a plan.  Don't demand, don't whine.  But talk.   

 

There are no exotic vets in your area?  Start researching.    Do some more searches.  Find out if any local non-exotic vets would be willing to at least look at a hamster in an emergency.

 

Your parents won't let you?  Again, talk about how you want to honor your commitment to an animal you took responsibility for.  Don't make it about demands, but about needing help developing a plan.  Be humble and own the situation.

 

"What if I still can't get to the vet no matter what?"

 

If you've tried the above and more and things just are not working out for you, there's not too many options.

 

If you are really worried and concerned, you may consider rehoming your hamster.  This is NOT always the best option, but it is a possibility that could work in some situations.

 

What really matters is what you do in the future.

 

If you cannot get to the vet, the only responsible decision is to refrain from getting any more hamsters (or pets) until the situation changes.

 

It's one thing to get a hamster not realizing the importance of vet care.  Again, it's not a good situation, but it's something that unfortunately does happen.   

 

But it's another thing to get a hamster knowing full well that you cannot provide necessary vet care for it.  At that point, it is selfish and irresponsible.  Because it is putting your want of a hamster over the hamster's need for proper medical care.  If you truly care about hamsters, you won't bring one into a situation where it may suffer unnecessarily.

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

1) Responsible hamster ownership requires vet care.  

 

2) We can talk all we want about big cages and healthy food.  But not providing vet care has a lot worse consequences than using improper supplies.  

 

3) You want a hamster.  A hamster needs a vet.  The hamster's needs come before your wants.

 

4) Making a mistake is not irresponsible or selfish.  Continuing to make the same "mistake" over and over again is.

 

5) Everyone can be responsible and do their part!  Sometimes that means holding off from getting a new hamster until you can provide for all of that hamster's needs.

Edited by Taxonomist, 02 February 2021 - 02:48 AM.

[G O N E R]

Brilliant, informative reminder, Tax.

[ThePipsqueakery]

Fantastic post Tax!

[Cuteanimalsaremylife]

this was such a great post! really informative and you are absolutely right if you do not know for sure what your hamster has it is really important to get him/her checked by a vet.

[missPixy]

I'm in agreement that a visual exam by a hamster-experienced vet is the ideal way to provide the most accurate diagnosis*.

 

we also need to remember that more than a few people who come to this forum are:

 

• underage with parents who refuse to spend the money to take the hamster to the vet;   
• people who don't live near a hamster-experienced vet (U.S./Canada/other countries) 

 

these groups benefit from the experience of others on the forum who have been in their shoes before caring for hamsters with common illnesses like wet tail, abscesses, wounds, mites, ringworm, tumors and infections. 

 

and also, as both a wildlife rehabber and someone who's cared for hamsters for the past 14 years, I can say that some at-home natural remedies can and do perform just as well as a pharmaceutical.      in other situations there is not a substitute for the medication. however, for the two groups mentioned above, even with these situations where a vet is required, they don't have that option. so things like natural diuretics that can help get rid of bloat from tumors, while not curing the tumor, does provide the hamster with a bit more quality of life instead of doing nothing. 

 

I honestly think it is the minority of people who come to this forum and who have access to a vet but do not use them and are looking for "cheap" ways to treat their hamster, especially when the hamster is clearly very ill.

 

*there are many members who've taken their hamster to an exotics vet, who makes a visual diagnosis without tests, imaging or palpation, and decides for example that the hamster has parasites or gas and starts down a course that's basically made by a guess and is often inaccurate. meanwhile the hamster gets more ill because the true problem has been misdiagnosed.

Edited by missPixy, 22 October 2015 - 02:40 AM.

[missPixy]

an example of what I'm talking about:

 

 

 

missPixy, on 16 Oct 2015 - 10:31 AM, said:

I reviewed your video. Regarding Lightning, she seemed actually overweight in it, which then makes me think she is carrying a lot of fluid bloat. that would cause her to "waddle" because of this.

since she's a female, the bloat could be from an internal tumor associated with her reproductive tract, a fairly common health issue for older female hamsters.it would also cause the fatigue. 

however, because she's drinking so much water, the bloating could also be from a kidney failure issue, which again would cause the bloating you see.

you need to bring her to a hamster-experienced exotic vet who can examine her, palpate her and run some tests (bring a sample of fresh urine collected from a clean surface; refrigerated overnight at the most.)

thanks misspixy   is there anything I can do to help her? My parents won't let me take her to the vet.   

Edited by missPixy, 22 October 2015 - 02:49 AM.

[Taxonomist]

I'm in agreement that a visual exam by a hamster-experienced vet is the ideal way to provide the most accurate diagnosis*.

 

we also need to remember that more than a few people who come to this forum are:

 

• underage with parents who refuse to spend the money to take the hamster to the vet;   
• people who don't live near a hamster-experienced vet (U.S./Canada/other countries) 

 

these groups benefit from the experience of others on the forum who have been in their shoes before caring for hamsters with common illnesses like wet tail, abscesses, wounds, mites, ringworm, tumors and infections. 

 

and also, as both a wildlife rehabber and someone who's cared for hamsters for the past 14 years, I can say that some at-home natural remedies can and do perform just as well as a pharmaceutical.      in other situations there is not a substitute for the medication. however, for the two groups mentioned above, even with these situations where a vet is required, they don't have that option. so things like natural diuretics that can help get rid of bloat from tumors, while not curing the tumor, does provide the hamster with a bit more quality of life instead of doing nothing. 

 

I honestly think it is the minority of people who come to this forum and who have access to a vet but do not use them and are looking for "cheap" ways to treat their hamster, especially when the hamster is clearly very ill.

 

*there are many members who've taken their hamster to an exotics vet, who makes a visual diagnosis without tests, imaging or palpation, and decides for example that the hamster has parasites or gas and starts down a course that's basically made by a guess and is often inaccurate. meanwhile the hamster gets more ill because the true problem has been misdiagnosed.

 

The purpose of this message is to make it crystal clear that by having this section of the forum, we are not advocating "Hey, don't bother to go to the vet!  Just ask here instead!"  This has been an issue, sadly, which is why this disclaimer was updated.  

[ThePipsqueakery]

I'm in agreement that a visual exam by a hamster-experienced vet is the ideal way to provide the most accurate diagnosis*.

 

we also need to remember that more than a few people who come to this forum are:

 

• underage with parents who refuse to spend the money to take the hamster to the vet;   
• people who don't live near a hamster-experienced vet (U.S./Canada/other countries) 

 

these groups benefit from the experience of others on the forum who have been in their shoes before caring for hamsters with common illnesses like wet tail, abscesses, wounds, mites, ringworm, tumors and infections. 

 

and also, as both a wildlife rehabber and someone who's cared for hamsters for the past 14 years, I can say that some at-home natural remedies can and do perform just as well as a pharmaceutical.      in other situations there is not a substitute for the medication. however, for the two groups mentioned above, even with these situations where a vet is required, they don't have that option. so things like natural diuretics that can help get rid of bloat from tumors, while not curing the tumor, does provide the hamster with a bit more quality of life instead of doing nothing. 

 

I honestly think it is the minority of people who come to this forum and who have access to a vet but do not use them and are looking for "cheap" ways to treat their hamster, especially when the hamster is clearly very ill.

 

*there are many members who've taken their hamster to an exotics vet, who makes a visual diagnosis without tests, imaging or palpation, and decides for example that the hamster has parasites or gas and starts down a course that's basically made by a guess and is often inaccurate. meanwhile the hamster gets more ill because the true problem has been misdiagnosed.

 

They may not have access to a veterinarian and this may be the best they can get, but it still doesn't make it a substitute for veterinary care. It doesn't make them bad people or bad hamster owners, but the reality is that without adequate veterinary care many hamsters will die from curable illnesses. Again, that doesn't make the owner a bad person, but it's only fair for people to know the reality of the situation they are facing. I have heard one too many stories from young people who thought their at home care would save their hamster based on the internet only to have their hamsters die from easily curable diseases. 

 

I thought the disclaimer was excellent but that this addition really takes away from this sticky as a disclaimer about the realities of the situation where a hamster does not (for whatever reason) receive veterinary care. 

[Tier]

I can't remember if I had made a post about it or just found HH by googling, but my first hamster, Big Stuff, had a respiratory infection. I was unable to really get to a vet at the time due to not being able to drive. I had found/been told that thyme tea would cure him. I wasn't told so directly, but it was insinuated very much that it was a complete cure. So I put a few sprigs of thyme in the cage, and put his little face under a washcloth over a steamy bowl of thyme tea. Obviously, my hamster didn't get better. I noticed that, and eventually was able to get a ride over to the vet and a bit of monetary help, but if it had not been insinuated that thyme tea was the cure, I would have tried harder earlier to get him to the vet, and he probably would have lived longer. 

 

My point of all of this is that the forum is NOT a substitute for veterinary care, just like Tax says. Thyme tea, honey, and what have you may make the hamster feel a bit better and buy a day or two, but without making it clear to the members, that no, it won't fix it, most members will not look for different ways to get their hamster to the vet/save up the money for the vet, which ends up in dead hamsters.

[MacnCheese]

I've seen responses from some members on this forum that imply someone is a bad owner for not taking their hamster to the vet. One outright said something along the lines of, you shouldn't own an animal if you won't take them to the vet (even though I believe the OP stated they couldn't find an exotic vet or their parents wouldn't let them).

I don't believe those are the responses people are looking for (that just serves to turn away people who genuinely need help, if you ask me).

I believe some people come on here looking for a "cheap fix" because they don't want to spend the money on their animal (to me that's wrong), but for those who down right have nowhere to take their hamster, to say they shouldn't own animal is rude.

Not everyone has access to an "experienced" hamster vet (i.e., going to the vet and being prescribed the wrong medication doesn't do anyone good).

To keep telling someone take it to the vet even though they don't have access to a vet, that doesn't help anyone. To offer an alternative (no, certain things are not a replacement for the vet, although I do believe some at home remedies do work just as well, depending on the situation), that is at least helping. For the people who have nowhere to go, if there is a way to treat it at home, that is better than doing nothing at all.

Edited by MacnCheese, 24 October 2015 - 11:11 AM.

[Tier]

I've seen responses from some members on this forum that imply someone is a bad owner for not taking their hamster to the vet. One outright said something along the lines of, you shouldn't own an animal if you won't take them to the vet (even though I believe the OP stated they couldn't find an exotic vet or their parents wouldn't let them).

I don't believe those are the responses people are looking for (that just serves to turn away people who genuinely need help, if you ask me).

I believe some people come on here looking for a "cheap fix" because they don't want to spend the money on their animal (to me that's wrong), but for those who down right have nowhere to take their hamster, to say they shouldn't own animal is rude.

Not everyone has access to an "experienced" hamster vet (i.e., going to the vet and being prescribed the wrong medication doesn't do anyone good).

To keep telling someone take it to the vet even though they don't have access to a vet, that doesn't help anyone. To offer an alternative (no, certain things are not a replacement for the vet, although I do believe some at home remedies do work just as well, depending on the situation), that is at least helping. For the people who have nowhere to go, if there is a way to treat it at home, that is better than doing nothing at all.

 

The only people I've seen who say that people shouldn't own animals if they can't take them to the vet are people who cannot figure out a way to say things in a constructive manner. Animals are expensive, and circumstances come up, and it's understandable. But people deserve to be told that if they don't/cannot get their hamster to the vet, their hamster probably won't survive. They don't need to be told that the equivalent of a cough drop is going to cure their hamster. 

[Taxonomist]

I have to admit, I never realized that this thread would be so controversial. 

 

To clear some things up, this thread was posted for a few different purposes...

 

1) To discourage holding "the forum" and its members responsible for dealing with emergencies.  I'm talking about things like this - "Well, my hamster had an emergency and I posted a thread and no one responded immediately."  Basically people saying that it is OUR FAULT that their hamster died because nobody responded to their thread quickly enough.   Yes, this has happened and it has to stop.  It's not fair to anyone involved - the forum staff, forum members, and least of all the hamster in question.

 

2) To promote vet care as a vital part of responsible ownership.  I don't want get into a huge debate about this (I've already done so in the past).  But here's the root of it.  Not being able to take your hamster to the vet does not make you a bad owner.  Lots of perfectly good and well-intentioned people find themselves in this situation, mostly because people don't even realize that hamsters need vet care.  However, this is the exact problem to address here - educating people that yes, hamsters need vet care and yes, there could be consequences for not taking a sick hamster to the vet.  The idea is to teach people the importance of vet care so that they can make responsible decisions in the future about the issue.

 

3) To provide clarity.  I do like how ThePipsqueakery put this - if someone cannot get to the vet, they need to be aware of the reality of the situation they are in.  It doesn't do them any good for them to have mistaken beliefs or false hope.  One thing I've learned about this community is that information - good and bad - spreads like wildfire.  Unfortunately, perfectly viable non-curative remedies end up getting misinterpreted and misunderstood.  They end up getting repeated down the line and exaggerated.  This isn't even necessarily anyone's fault - it's just like a game of telephone.

 

To borrow missPixy's example, the advice of "natural diuretics can ease the bloating associated with tumors" (true) becomes "natural diuretics are a treatment for tumors" (unclear) becomes "natural diuretics can cure tumors" (completely false).  It's surprisingly easy for this to happen, and it does become a problem.  Having a general blanket statement thread like this one is a step towards negating the potentially harmful effects of these misunderstandings.  Since we don't micromanage the forum and review every single post made, this is a good middle ground.

 

4) To cover our butts.  The implications of the forum claiming to be a vet substitute (even indirectly, by virtue of NOT claiming the opposite!) are...yeesh, to say the least.

 

-

 

The whole point is to emphasize that the forum can't be held responsible for someone's pet. It's not discrediting anyone's advice and not condemning anyone's situation... Simply bringing attention to the fact that, in a health crisis, a health professional (veterinarian) is the best choice and best chance for a cure. We can offer advice but we are not vets. If an owner chooses not to utilize the services of a vet, that is their choice and their responsibility, not the forum's.

Edited by Taxonomist, 24 October 2015 - 10:05 PM.

[Strong Brew Hamstery]

I feel like the section here on vet care is applicable; http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/topic/97939-a-guide-to-responsible-pet-ownership/

 

Vet care
This was going to be a bullet under "finances" but I think it needs its own section. 
Vet care is not optional. It is mandatory, and it is irresponsible to purchase or adopt a hamster without knowing that you can provide vet care.
It is not unattainable, it is not impossibly expensive... and it does have to be accounted for. Accidents and illness do happen. You have to be prepared for that. Your ability, your willingness to spend the money for that medication may very well be a life or death decision for your pet.
If you don't have the income, then you need to save up for emergencies. If you don't know a good vet, then you need to find one. If you rely on other people, then you need to make sure that they are able and willing themselves to get your hamster vet care when it's needed. 
Know your resources, know what is available and what you'll have to do at home. Some things are perfectly treatable at home, but if you end up in a situation that's not then you have to make sure that money, or being unprepared, isn't an obstacle. Nothing feels worse than watching a pet suffer because you didn't plan ahead. So always, always make sure a vet is an available option. In the end, it's just paper, while your pet is a living, breathing creature. Is paper really that important?

 

 

I thought I remembered a thread where it was discussed whether or not people who cannot afford vet care should possibly reconsider getting another hamster, knowing that they cannot afford/are not able to take them to the vet if needs be. I'm obviously a big pusher on proper vet care including pharmaceutical medication. I think homoeopathy and at home treatments have their place once proper antibiotics/etc. have been attained. I'm the type of person who will try anything to make a hamster feel better. I'm aware not everyone has the finances available to rush Hammy to the vet, but I think that's something you should take into consideration when you purchase/adopt your pet. Even $5 into a small piggy bank every month helps. After 10mo, that's $50, and enough to at least put some towards a vet visit. 

[Lilyt13]

I really need some advice. My parents won't take my hamster to the vet because the thing this is "normal"! My hamster has a very deep cut which was caused from another hamsters bite which I will get to later. She is less active and she won't stop squeaking, and she won't eat. She is also very stressed. I have 2 hamsters, In one cage. Petunia the injured hamster was attacked my Sunshine her sister. My parents won't get a separate cage either! They think this is "natural behavior". I have been putting Manuka honey on the wound, hoping it gets better. I'm going to have to convince my parents or ask my cousin to get me a new cage, but my parents said no to the vet. I can take my hamsters to my relatives and show them and they will take my hamster to the vet, but that will probably be in a week. Is there something I can do in the meantime? 

[Jeniferquintero]

My Dwarf hamster has been having a weird looking eye for the past two weeks. It wasn’t that bad at first but after a week it started bulging out. His other eye also was bulging out just a tiny bit but it never got red. I was really scared for him I didn’t know what to do so we took him to the vet on Friday and the vet told us that he might have cancer or an abcess or an infection. He said he could perform surgery but there was a low chance of survival since hamsters are so small they could die during operation. He said the best choice is to euthanize him. We were going to go today but all of a sudden over the last days he has looked so much better. His eye seems to have went almost back to normal. It’s not really red anymore. Hi other eye is completely back to normal. He seems to be recovering by himself or idk if it’s going to come back and bulge out. What should I do? I don’t want to put him down if he’s showing so many signs that he wants to live and is getting better. The vet was almost positive he was cancer but he seems to have gotten a lot better since we saw the vet. Has anyone went through this?

Edited by Jeniferquintero, 24 April 2018 - 08:39 AM.