I think my hamster is unwell

Question
QUESTION: Hi i have a albino hamster, this morning have noticed he doesnt seem to be well. he has been sleeping then he will wake up and his eyes will only be half open and he just goes round in circles, whats wrong with him? Also he goes onto his back and looks like he is struggling to get back onto his feet, and he doesnt seem to be putting pressure on his front paw, he is only 2 month old.
Thanks for your help

ANSWER: Hi Verity

I'm really sorry to hear about your hamster.  I'm afraid I don't know what is wrong with him, but he does sound very ill and clearly needs to see a vet as quickly as possible.  Is it possible he could have fallen in his cage and hurt himself?  Is it possible for you to get him to a vet?  Do you have one locally that you can contact - they may be able to advise you over the telephone.

I do  hope you get on OK.

Regards

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi
it is possible he could of fallen but i don't know. Also We have another hamster which is female and they have been in the same cage recently and she now looks like shes finding it hard to breath, could they both have the same illness? Also i just saw blood around the males back end, do you what that is? Now they are both sleeping together. Some people have said the male walking in circles sounds like ear infection.

Answer
Hi

What type of hamsters are these?  I'm assuming that as they live together they are dwarf rather than Syrian??  How do they get on?  Do they fight at all?

Walking round in circles can indicate an ear infection, or some neurological illness.  However, the fact that the other one is having difficulty breathing and there is blood makes me think there is something else going on.

Have they come into contact with any chemicals or plants?  Are there any plants near their cage that they could have eaten?  Has anything been sprayed near their cage - or any new paint work nearby etc?  What type of wood chippings are you using? Cedar, pine and cypresses all contain an oil that is toxic to hamsters.

I would strongly advise that you check the position of their cage to make sure there is no chance there has been some sort of contamination/poisoning.  I would also advise that you get them both to a vet as quickly as possible.  If you take the cage with them, this might give the vet some clues.

It really is difficult to know what is going on - if it were just the male I would think that perhaps he had a fall, but as it is both of them, each with different symptoms, then I'm wondering if perhaps they have come into contact with something that has made them sick.  Without actually seeing them I am afraid I can't say why they are both sick, so all the above suggestions are just some ideas as to what might be happening.

I do hope you get on OK.  I would be interested to know what the vet diagnoses.

Regards