Information You Need To Make Sure That You Have A Healthy Hamster

You should be on the alert for any indication that your hamster may be ill. Probably the most important thing you can do for your hamster's health is to make your that her environment is always clean and dry. Make sure that you clean your hamster's home often.

Most of the illness found in hamsters do not affect humans in any way. Zoonotic diseases are those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Two common examples of a zoonotic disease are salmonella and ringworm. Before and after you handle your hamster, be sure to wash your hands since this is a great way to prevent the transfer of any such disease. If your vet diagnoses your hamster with a zoonotic disease, they will give you additional guideline on preventing the disease from spreading.

Hamsters who live alone are less likely to catch a disease than those hamsters who live with several other hamsters. Also, use care when introducing any new hamster to your extisting pets. Even healthy looking hamsters can be carrying a disease, you just don't know about it yet.

Although your hamster does not require an annual wellness examination, it is still recommended that you find a qualified vet before there is truly an emergency. Call a couple of the local vets in your area and ask them if they treat hamsters. For future reference, you should also ask them how much they charge for various services.

Hamster can catch diseases, they can be injured, and catch other illness as a result of poor house cleaning. Here are some things you should be on the lookout for:

Abscesses

A secondary wound infection can result in an abscess. Draining the wound and treating it is one way of dealing with an abscess, but it is quite painful and not recommended. The best thing to do is to take your hamster to the vet.

Colds/Pneumonia

If you notice any type of wheezing, difficulty breathing, or eyes glues shut, you need to take your hamster to the vet immediately. Other things you might notice are weight loss, nose discharge, and general lethargy.

Tyzzer's Disease

This is a very contagious disease that usually results in the death of the hamster. Some hamsters will stop moving around, they will develop a scruffy-looking coat, and they will have diarrhea and dehydration. Other hamsters will show not signs at all - they will just die. The disease is quite common among hamsters who live in an unclean environment, and hamsters who are under a lot of stress. Thankfully, it is not a common disease in hamsters living in a clean habitat, and who are well taken care of.

Diabetes in Hamsters

Diabetes is a noninfectious disease that has been found in Russian hamsters. Excessive thirst and frequent urination are some of the smptoms of diabetes in hamsters. A change in your hamster's diet is the usual treatment for diabetes in hamsters. Do not give fruit to a hamster with diabetes. Peas and corn should also be taken out of the diet. An accurate diagnosis can be done by a qualified vet, and they can also give you recommendations on how to take care of your hamster.

Glaucoma in Hamsters

Evidence of glaucoma has been found in Winter White hamsters. There is no known cure for hamster glaucoma, but your vet can give you some eye drops to relieve the discomfort for your hamster.

Cheek pouch troubles

The pouches that hamsters use for storing food and transporting their food can become pierced, impacted or otherwise damaged. Symptoms include not being able to empty the pouches or having an everted cheek pouch (one that is turned inside out). Take your hamster to the vet as soon as you suspect that she may have a cheek pouch injury.

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