coughing

Question
I have a hamster that I got a little before Christmas last year. I'm not sure how old she is, but I do know that she is mature as she gave birth a day after I got her. Lately I've noticed that her hair is looking grey-ish (she's all black) and she's been a little skittish. I attributed it to age until tonight. I let her run in her ball for a bit and when I put her back in her cage she stumbled and fell off of the shelf I put her on. She didn't fall far, but when she got up she started coughing for a long time. it's the first I've ever heard her do that. I currently moved her cage upstairs to an enclosed room because I'm afraid that if she has a cold the open windows downstairs could make her worse. Is there anything I can do for her? I've read that colds have to clear on their own, but could this be a nervous thing or is there something I haven't done yet that would help? Thanks

Jessi

Answer
Hi Jessi

Is your hamster still making this noise?  This certainly isn't normal and I think it could be because when she fell she winded herself.  Hamsters can get colds but there are usually other symptoms - snuffling, shivering, dull, cold, runny eyes and nose.  In these cases a vet should be consulted immediately.

When hamsters reach 18 months some start to show their age.  Most go onto live beyond 2, but this isn't always the case.  At 18 months their fur can start to go a bit thin and they look old.  It could be that if your hamster is nearer this age then her appearance is just the natural aging process.  

However, if she is still making this noise I would suggest getting a vet to examine her just in case she has injured herself or if she has some internal problem that was made worse by the fall.

Good luck with this.
Regards