Hamster

Question
Hi,

We have a hamster and she was very clever and popped open her litter box that is attached to the cage and got loose.  We looked for her all day and never found her.  She wound up in our bottom kitchen cabinet last night.  I am worried because there is a rat poison block in the very back of the cabinet in the corner and I do not know if she got to it or not.  I heard her chewing on something is how I found her but there is nothing in that cabinet but some stockpots, cookers and such. The block looked chewed on but I am not sure if it was like that already or if she did it.  She is now back in her cage and has seemed okay the last six hours or so but how would I know?  Are there signs I would look for and what could I do if she starts to show these signs?  Thank you so much for your time and help.

Answer
Hello Mary -

Hamsters are very smart creatures indeed! I had one that use to actually life the lid off his cage with a heavy book on top  . .  don't ask me how  . . but he did, almost every night!

Since a few hours have passed, I would say she should be fine. Most of the rat poisons tend to either kill on contact or after a six-twelve hour period. If you still have the rat poison box, check its effectiveness and use it as a guideline to follow for your hamster. If the box says it kills on contact, then I would say your little one is fine. If it says it kills in 12 hours, then check her later today.

For small animals like hamsters, there will not really be too much of a sign of poisoning. Usually the poison gets into the system and hits them instantly. You may see her laying down, twitching, foam from the mouth or diarrhea. Honestly, there is not much that can be done by you or a vet because of her size.

Most vets will induce vomitting and administer activated charcoal to counteract poisons but she is so small that I don't think it would be that effective. Just keep an eye on her, if she looks lazy and very quiet - call your vet and ask them if there is anything that they could give her right away. Bring her in and hope that whatever they give will help her.

I think by now that if she did ingest the poison she would have been very ill or would have passed on. I will say a prayer for you and your hamster and hope she will be well.

I hope this information has helped you and your pet.

If you would like information on natural and herbal remedies for human and animal concerns please contact me at wintersaurora@yahoo.com and I will be happy to assist you. I also offer a catalogue of specially formulated herbal remedies which I can send to you as well. My products are also available online at www.localharvest.org.

Thank you and best wishes to you and your pet.

Sincerely,
Sharon Hubbs, AHG
Certified Natural Health Consultant & Herbalist