Hamster weird noise.

Question
Hi i woke up this morning and woke up my hamster as i put in her daily food. I noticed she had a little crusty blood on her nose, not much and just around the nostrils. I picked her up to get a closer look and she crawled into my shirt pocket. (she does this a lot.) Then she proceeded to make this little hiccuping noise. It was a little irregular and she did it about eight times then stopped. I was a bit worried because she hasn't been very vocal before.  She is eating and drinking normally. I think she seems to be a little less active at night but I can't really tell because I'm usually asleep during her very active hours. However she seems a bit less energetic. She still runs in her wheel but she hasn't been going crazy nutso and chewing on her bars insistantly like she usually does. (still climbing and using the wheel a bit.

This started yesterday morning after she had escaped the night before and I found her in my closet in my shoe. She was only missing about six hours or so and ate and drank normally after I put her back in the cage. (She ate right away and drank shortly after) Her poop is fine and so is her urine.

I'm using carefresh bedding.

Was that hiccuping noise a sneeze or cough? I can't tell as this is my first hamster. Should I find a vet?

Answer
hi dana,

i think shes managed to scratch herself somehow and it may be starting to get infected. you should find a vet who will clean her up for a small fee.

in regards to her squeaking, the dry blood on her nose probably got caught on the fibres in your pocket, causing her some pain and making her squeak and or/sneeze.

just make sure she sees a vet before she starts becoming more lethargic.

good luck and thank you for your question, ask again if you need to and please let me know how you get on.

joanne :)