teddy bear hamster

Question
I went out of town for two days i came back and my daughters hamster seems sick.It looks like his ears are folded back kind of stuck to its head. but i think its because her cheeks are inflamed.There was a rag in the cage that looked chewed on that i think my 5 yr old put in there for it to sleep on.The hamster is still active just worried about her.the cheeks are swollen and ears are back.What should i give her?

Answer
Hi Karen

Thanks for your question.

Hamsters often put their ears back when they are nervous, unwell or when they are tired.  How do you know her cheeks are inflamed?  Has she just shredded the fabric and put it in her cheek pouches?  Some hamsters seem to always have full cheek pouches, whereas other empty them as soon as they return to their nest.  Is there any sign of inflamation around her mouth?  if you gently touch her cheeks does it feel as though she has pouched food or fabric in them?  Is she bothered by you touching them?

Usually shredding fabric isn't a problem, providing there are no chemicals etc. on them.  My hamsters often find fabric/curtains/rugs etc that they can reach when they are in their exercise balls and manage to pull threads into the ball.  I have often found pieces of material in their nest that they have 'stolen', but none have ever reacted to this.

Is yoru hamster eating normally?  Is there any sign in her bowel movements or a change in the amount she is drinking?  When you go to handle her does she feel the same, or is she nervous.  Was anyone looking after your hamster while you were away?  Was there any change in her routine etc that might have frightened her?

Sorry to be asking you so many questions - it is hard to know what might have happened.  If you have any more information please let me know.

regards
Sheila