travelling with hamster

Question
Hello!
My boyfriend has just bought me a hamster (don't really know what kind.. It looks like a Syrian hamster) and the problem is that I am leaving the university soon due to summer vacations and I will be away for 4 months so I thought I should take the hamster back home with me but the trip lasts at least 5 hours. But i dont want to give it away. He is really cute and playful. I love my pet and i want to keep it. But i am afraid that it is a very long journey for such a small animal. What should i do?
Also, I would like to ask you (in case i take him with me on the plane) what do i have to do first? Do i have to take him to a vet? Just like we do with dogs for example before they travel? Does he need any vaccines/pills etc? I never had a hamster before and dont really know what to do under these circumstances.

Thank ou in advance.
MS


Answer
I've traveled with a hamster over 1200 miles over 2 days, as long as you give them some place to hide in the little carrier (like a cardboard box corner or anything else home made) he'll be fine. Include some of his bedding from his cage so the new carrier is familiar. Give him a little bit of food to nibble on as well. If the trip is during the day he'll likely sleep through it anyway. I'm not sure about hamsters on a plane though, you should check the airline's website of your choice and see if they have any rules about small animals. I believe they can count as a carry on.