Blindness

Question
QUESTION: HELP!!My hamster is going blind i think.I picked him up and he just stuck onto my hand and when i put him on the floor he wouldn't move...and in is cage he doesn't move around like normal (he is also very active when i put him on the floor).....is he going blind?

ANSWER: Does anything look different with your hamster's eyes?  Are they cloudy, or bleeding or weeping?

Even if your hamster has gone blind this isn't usually a problem as hamsters are very shortsighted anyway, so it doesn't affect them that much.  

What concerns me more is the fact that your hamster doesn't want to move.  Is there any chance he has had an accident - or fallen?  Is he sitting hunched over, looking dull?    When he does walk - is it normal or is he dragging himself?

It sounds more to me that something else is going on rather than blindness - perhaps if you want to give me a few more details I might be able to help.

Regards

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

QUESTION: His eyes are fine......he also isn't draging himself and he looks fine, not dull.And he hasn't fell from more than a feet.....but i always catch him......

Answer
At this point in time I think you just need to keep a close watch on him and see if anything changes.  It's good to hear that he's walking oK, so it doesn't sound as though he's injured himself.  Something must have spooked him though for his behaviour to change like this - so I would suggest you keep handling him and talking to him and see if he goes back to his old self.  If he stops eating, or sits hunched up, or if anything else changes you will need to get him to a vet.  Sorry I can't be any more help - your hamster is a real mystery!