Hamster

Hi I have a Syrian hamster. I had to take him to the vets on Saturday as he was very sleepy and wasn’t taking food or fluids. He was given a steroid injection and some antibiotics. Then on Monday while I was at work, my boyfriend had to rush him to the vets as his neck was pulsating and he couldn’t breathe. The vet thinks he has cardiomyopathy, and he could feel fluid. He has been given frusemide to reduce the fluid around his heart and in his stomach. He has had two lots of this, but doesn’t seem to want to eat or drink and is still very sleepy. We’re having to purée his food and syringe his liquids and purée into his mouth (vets orders). He also now has diahorrea which I think could be from the antibiotics and frusemide, not sure though. Anyone have any more advice on what to do/how to improve him? Thank you

Hello - your hamster really does sound to be very ill. Until recently, vets haven't known great amounts about hamster medicine.   Funding is limited for research in the area because hamsters have a limited lifespan and many owners a limited budget for them.  Many vets do not have the experience or knowledge to diagnose cardiomyopathy, for example.  However, there are specialists in the field and your vet will know who they can consult should they need a second opinion.  Please do let us know if you have any success and how, although it may be that the prognosis is guarded; hamsters are a prey species and when they start to look obviously poorly, the disease is often quite advanced.

Thank you for the prompt reply. I’m just concerned because he isn’t taking any fluids or food so I’m having to purée food and syringe water into his mouth. I just don’t know what else to do

I would recommend asking your vet, or an appropriate hamster vet, wheat they would reccommend from here.   It sounds as though euthanasia may be a consideration, but because I am not your hamsters veterinarian and cannot examine him, I would be loathe to make that call over the internet; he should be properly assessed and your options properly considered.  All the best taking things forward and please do let us know what happened next.

Hi - I'm sorry, I do not know the vets in your area.  Our website did used to have a reccommended vets list attached, so this may be worth looking for.  Otherwise, we would recommend that you call the veterinary hospital, ask to speak to the manager, explain your concern and ask which vet to see, or whether there is a vet who prefers small mammal patients nearby.  We hope that something here helps.

Alternatively, check out the Vets Near Me section of our website!