Siick Hamster

Question
Hello, I think my Hamster is dying. She is only about four months old. She is a syrian. She is extremely fat and her fat is accumulating to one part of her body. she seems to be having difficulty with removing her bowels. she also looks as though she has a cold. She's not eating and she sleeps all the time. Can you please help?

Answer
HI Lesley

Thanks for your question - I'm really sorry to hear about your hamster.

It is very difficult to know what is wrong with your hamster as she is presenting several symptoms, but this is definitely not normal behaviour for a young hamster.

Hamsters can suffer from similar conditions to humans, i.e. heart conditions that can cause the body to retain water and swell.  Female hamsters can get ovarian cysts which make their body swell and look very unwell.  They can also develop enlarged kidneys.  

The fact that you don't think she is going to the toilet could mean that she is suffering from some sort of bowel blockage.

When you say she looks like she has a cold is this because her eyes are crusty?  Hamsters can get colds and their symptoms are like humans in that they shiver, eyes water, etc.  Many hamsters develop sticky eyes when they are unwell - there is a gland that produces a reddish fluid that lubricates the eyes.  If the hamster is unwell this gland produces more than usual and this causes the eyes to close - it is important that she opens her eyes daily - therefore if they don't open on their own, gently wipe the eyelid with a damp cloth to help her.

I would strongly advise that you get her to a vet as quickly as possible.  if you don't know of any vets it is worth phoning a few to check they have someone who specialises in small animals.  Also, double check their fees - usually they charge considerably less to treat a hamster, but it is worth finding out now what the standard examination fee is (before medicines etc.).  

The sooner you get her to a vet the more chance you have of saving her.  These little creatures can deteriorate quite rapidly, therefore fast treatment is definitely the best option if at all possible.

I hope you get on OK with her.

Regards
Sheila