Why is my hamster not opening his eyes?

When hamsters sleep, their eyes secrete fluid to keep the eyeball moist. If this fluid drips out and dries around the eyelid, it can prevent the hamster from opening his eyes. This is common in all hamsters, especially older ones. Fortunately this usually isn't a medical emergency, and you can treat it at home.

How do you know if your hamster is dying?

When a hamster is dying, its breathing will be more agitated, choppy and its pulse will begin to diminish progressively until exhausted. It is also possible that your hamster may suffer from tremors or a stiff jaw. Signs of a dead hamster include: No apparent breathing or movement.

Is my hamster going blind?

Although it may be difficult to diagnose with any certainty, excessive clumsiness may be a sign that your hamster is going blind. Take notice is he starts walking into things or falling off of things. Recognize the symptoms of cataracts. If your hamster's eyes look milky, this is a sign of cataracts.

How do you treat sticky eyes in hamsters?

Treatment. Treatment of conjunctivitis may include antibiotic eye drops and oral antibiotics. Before administering eye drops your veterinarian will clean the affected eye and remove discharge with mild saline eyewash.

Why is my hamster shaking and not opening its eyes?

Some known medical issues that can cause shaking in a hamster are diabetes, stroke, heatstroke, skin parasites, or congestive heart failure. Other common signs to look out to determine if your hamster has a condition are nasal discharge, watery stools, weight loss, rough appearance, and glazed-over eyes.

Treating a Hamster's Sticky Eye at Home

Why is my hamster's eye closed?

Conjunctivitis. Also known as pink eye, conjunctivitis occurs when the pink tissues around your hamster's eyes become inflamed and irritated. An infection is often also present which can cause heavy eye drainage as well as crusting around the eyelids.

Is my hamster dying or hibernating?

Don't use body heat as an indicator

Don't worry if your hamster feels cold. During hibernation your pet's body temperature will drop to match the environment, so coldness isn't always a cause for concern. If your hamster is also rigid and unresponsive, even in a warm temperature, however, it may have died.

How much does it cost to take a hamster to the vet?

It does depend on where you live but on average I would say an exam is about $30-70, but could be higher for an exotic specialist.

What are the symptoms of a sick hamster?

What to do if hamster is dying?

What is the most common cause of death in hamsters?

How do hamsters see humans?

Hamsters have poor eyesight. They see details only at very close distances and cannot recognize their owner's face more than a few inches away. Anything more than a few inches away is a blurry, fuzzy, blob that cannot be discerned well.

What's wrong with my hamster?

If you're unsure about the symptoms of a sick hamster, the first thing to give your attention to would be their physical appearance. Key signs include loss of fur, bumps and warts, or unusual discharge. You should also keep your eyes peeled for swelling, sensitivity to light, or sudden limitation of movement.

What do I do if my hamster is not moving?

Warm the hamster up, relatively rapidly.

Instead of warming up your hamster slowly in a warm room, you can warm it more rapidly. Put the hamster, in its cage, in a warm place such as an airing cupboard. Depending on the temperature, the hamster may wake within 2 - 3 hours.

What does a hibernating hamster look like?

If you look closely at your hibernating hamster, you will notice that he is taking short, uneven breaths and is limp when you pick him up. His paws, ears and nose will be very cold to the touch. Hamsters do not wake up to drink when they are in hibernation and will become dehydrated.

Do hamsters get cold easily?

Keep hamsters at 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Most varieties of hamsters come from desert climates and burrow during the day to avoid the heat. Their origination from the desert means that they cannot withstand cold temperatures.

How do I know if my hamster is cold?

His little body may feel warm to the touch, and he may be thirstier than usual. Watery eyes, matted fur, and discharge from the eyes or nose are also indicative of colds in hamsters. If the cold is severe, Hammie's fur may be very matted, and he may lose his appetite.

Why is my hamster acting weird?

As previously mentioned, hamsters are active and energetic animals, so if you see a hamster that lacks energy or is being sluggish, have them evaluated by a veterinarian. “Any time a hamster is acting lethargic we start to worry,” says Ochoa. “Hamster's do not show signs of sickness until they are very sick.”

How much does it cost to put down a hamster?

Euthanasia, which is putting your hamster to sleep, costs about $75 to $150, depending on facility pricing. Many times, hamsters don't show signs of sickness until it's very advanced.

Can a vet put down a hamster?

Allow your veterinarian to euthanize your hamster.

Your veterinarian will most likely administer a lethal injection into your hamster's belly and your hamster will pass away as a result. Your veterinarian will check your hamster for a pulse to ensure that he has passed away.

What is wet tail for hamsters?

Wet tail is a very serious disease in hamsters that unfortunately has a high mortality rate even when caught early and treated. “Wet Tail”, named from the obvious sign of wetness around the rear end and tail of the hamster from diarrhea, comes from a bacterial infection that is generally brought on by stress.

Are hamsters eyes open when hibernating?

They can hibernate with their eyes open, half closed or completely closed. If your hamster's body is stiff like a board and you're unable to bend the limbs this is usually rigor mortis – a sign that your pet has died. Especially if you're certain that the environment hasn't been cold.

What months do hamsters hibernate?

Hamsters typically go into hibernation mode in the wild during the wintertime when the temperature drops below 40°F (4.5°C).

How long do hamsters hibernate last?

How long do hamsters hibernate? A hamster will usually only hibernate for two to three days. As a result, if they do not receive enough water, food, warmth, or light, they may remain in the torpor hibernating condition for an extended period of time.