Hmaster

Question
I have got a hamster called Spirit he is 10 months old since I brought him he's been coughing for a least a month
and now you can see him breathing heavily you see can the ribs when he bretahes I didin't how old he was when I got him butI noticed that he's been sneezing as well can you give any advice please thank you

Answer
Hi Natasha

I'm afraid it sounds as though your hamster needs to see a vet.  

Hamsters can get coughs and colds and these do need to be treated.  They can also suffer from allergies - such as an allergic reaction to their bedding, wood chippings etc.  This can sometimes affect their skin, or their breathing.  I would think it wise for a vet to check him out - if they are happy it isn't a cold or anything they can treat, then it is a case of trying to establish what is causing him to behave like this - i.e. you might need to remove the bedding and just give him shredded paper bedding for a week to see if there is any improvement.

Hope you get on OK with this.

Regards