breathing hard

Question
Hi...

My hamster is a dwarf hamster and hes a male but since today
hes bin breathing really hard and makeing a weird noise
everytime he breathes, and i tryed to put him in his ball but he
wont move, i called the vet and they said maybe that he's eating
too much, but i see him only drinking not eating, so what is
IT? he moves a little but hes breathing so hard!! and his eyes
are half way closed!!! please tell me whats wrong with him!!!!
ASAP!!!!!!
please because i cant see my hamster dead in the morning when
i wake up, that happend to my first hamster!!! im not gonna
relive that!!
thanks hope u could help me!!!  

Answer
Hi Susie,

It is very difficult to tell you what is wrong with him without him having a proper examination!!

It sounds like you need to take him to a vets as heavy breathing, and eyes that don't like healthy are signs of illness, as is not eating etc.

I can tell you a few possible things it maybe, but can not tell you for definite.

Humans can pass on colds to hamsters, so if you have had a cold recently it maybe you have given it to him. This would explain the havy breathing.
If he is in a drafty or cold place this can also cause him to get a cold!!

Also, there is something called Aspergillis Fungus. It is a fungus which grows on the hamsters bedding where he urinates and then it releases spores which the hamster breathes. It then causes him to become sick, and again makes the heavy breathing.

It could be either of these or something else, but i think you need to take it to a vet to find out the exact cause, as i think he is going to need treatment, and the sooner you get treatment the more likely he will get better!!!

I hope this helps you, and i am sorry i cant help you any further.
I hope he gets better!!
Thanks,
Charlie