Due to excitement, it is difficult to figure out what to do if the hamster lies and does not move, but is breathing. After all, the presence of breathing means that the animal is still alive.
Before you run to the veterinarian, you need to try to figure out why your pet is lying motionless. Pay attention to other signs: whether the eyes are closed, how often the rodent breathes. If the eyelids are closed and breathing is calm, it is possible that the hamster is just.
If a previously healthy animal suddenly falls into a coma, it is possible that it is hibernating. Breathing will be very rare, and the pet will be cold to the touch. In nature, dwarfs hibernate in winter, waiting out cold, hunger and short daylight hours.
Low room temperature
If the heating was turned off in the apartment, or you were going on vacation, this could provoke numbness. The body will be cold, the heartbeat will be extremely rare (1 beat every 15 seconds). A sleeping hamster can barely breathe; due to its small size, it is difficult to understand whether there is breathing at all. But if the body remains soft, the rodent has not died. To awaken the animal, the cage is placed in a warm room (more than 20 C), the feeder and drinking bowl are filled. The hamster should wake up in 2-3 days.
Heat
The Djungarian hamster lives in the steppes, and the Syrian even in semi-deserts, but both species are extremely sensitive to high temperatures and direct sun rays. Tiny nocturnal rodents with dense fur have no protection from overheating - they do not sweat or breathe through their mouths like dogs. Heat stroke is deadly for them.
Signs of hyperthermia:
- the hamster does not move and is breathing heavily;
- weakness;
- convulsions;
- impaired coordination of movements.
In case of acute overheating, heart failure leads to the death of the pet. Death may not occur immediately, but within a couple of days due to the failure of all organs, if the temperature has risen so much that proteins have coagulated in the blood and organs (at 44 C).
Situations in which there is a risk of heat stroke:
- a cage on a windowsill or balcony, outside (sun);
- near heating devices;
- in a stuffy room with high humidity.
It can be difficult to understand why a hamster is lying on its side and breathing heavily if by the time the owner returns the sun has already gone and does not illuminate the cage.
Treatment for heat or sunstroke
Transport your pet to the clinic if there is heat or sunstroke– not the best solution, time for first aid will be missed. What can you do without the help of a veterinarian to help your pet:
Reduce temperature
First aid is to cool the body, but not too sharply: applying ice or immersing the hamster in water is prohibited! The animal is placed on a tile or ceramic dish, or on a damp towel. Gently wet ears and paws with cool water.
Fighting dehydration
Heat stroke very often occurs when there is no access to. When the animal is unconscious, it can no longer use the drinking bowl. However, it is also dangerous to drink a hamster from a syringe: it will not swallow, and the liquid will enter the lungs, making breathing difficult and causing pneumonia.
The liquid (sterile Ringer's solution or sodium chloride) is injected subcutaneously into 4-8 ml of Syrian and 2 ml of Djungarian hamsters.
Antishock therapy
Although all potent medications are best used as prescribed by a doctor, in a situation with acute overheating, the hamster may not survive to take the ratologist. If you feel like you have nothing to lose, you should inject prednisolone 30 mg/ml intramuscularly (in the hind leg) insulin syringe. The dose for the Dzhungarik is 0.05 ml, for the Syrian - 0.1 ml.
The prognosis is unfavorable: the pet may die
Whether your pet survives may depend on how long he was under the influence. high temperature. If the hamster does not die immediately, on the first day after overheating the owner often notices that the hamster falls over on its side and can barely walk. Neurological disorders are associated with cerebral edema, and if the pet survives, coordination of movements will gradually be restored.
Other diseases
If your hamster is breathing frequently "out of the blue" without being scared or tired, this indicates respiratory or heart failure.
Pneumonia
You need to listen to the breathing of a tiny animal - wheezing, gurgling, snuffling indicate problems with the lungs. If in Lately There were discharges from the nose, but it could be pneumonia (pneumonia). The animal simply cannot breathe, so it tries not to move and freezes in one place.
Treatment consists of antibiotic therapy - for small rodents, Baytril 2.5% is traditionally used at a dose of 0.4 ml per 1 kg of weight (for a dzhungarik weighing 50 grams, this is 0.01 ml). Injections are given subcutaneously 1 time a day for 10-14 days.
Agony
If the hamster lies motionless with with open eyes and breathes heavily, and before that he was sick for several days, then he dies. There is no way to help a rodent in agony; even an experienced veterinarian can only end the suffering through the animal.
Consider whether there was (sign of diarrhea), sudden or severe weight loss. Hamsters have a very fast metabolism, so they cannot be sick for a long time: without proper treatment or in case of severe problems, they “burn out” in a few days.
Conclusion
Decorative hamsters have fragile health, and yet the animal can live its entire short life without getting sick. To do this, you just need to follow simple rules. In case of unforeseen circumstances, you need to find out in advance where to go for an appointment with a rodent - general practitioners will not be able to provide qualified assistance. And do not despair if the hamster lies and does not move, but breathes: perhaps all is not lost.
The hamster lies motionless: reasons
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Paw fractures: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
Common diseases of Djungarian hamsters
What to do if your hamster doesn't move? What could be the reasons? Hamsters can hibernate and during hibernation their heart rate and breathing rate drop. Sometimes it is even difficult to tell whether the hamster is sleeping, or whether the reason is different. If you find that your hamster is not moving, here is what to do.
Steps
How to tell if your hamster is hibernating
Think about how unexpected this happened. Has your hamster been feeling unwell lately? Maybe he has lost his appetite or started drinking more than usual? Have you noticed that your hamster's stool has changed? What weight did he lose? That he became less mobile and stopped running in a wheel? If you have noticed these signs frequently lately, the cause of immobility is most likely death.
- But if recently the hamster was completely healthy, but suddenly became completely motionless, most likely the hamster is simply hibernating.
The age of the hamster plays an important role. How old is your pet? Average duration The lifespan of rodents is 18-24 months; very few hamsters live to 36 months. If the hamster is already old, the risk of it dying increases.
Pay attention to the temperature environment. Hamster hibernation largely depends on temperature. If the air temperature in the room is above 20 degrees Celsius, then hibernation is unlikely to be the cause of immobility. If the room is hot, pay attention to whether the hamster's cage is located near the air conditioner. Air conditioners make the room very cold, which can cause the hamster to hibernate. Therefore, even in a stuffy room, there is a chance that your hamster is simply fast asleep.
Think about whether the hamster has enough food and whether he has enough light. Hamsters hibernate during difficult times when there are not enough resources to survive. This is usually due to harsh winters, low temperatures, short days and lack of food.
How to tell if your hamster is hibernating
Watch your hamster carefully for a while and try to see whether he is breathing or not. If possible, get close to it and look at it for a few minutes. Remember that the hamster's entire body has gone into hibernation and slowed down, so breathing may be almost unnoticeable.
- Observe the hamster for more than two minutes. In 2 minutes you may not notice signs of life and not see if the hamster is breathing. Then you may mistakenly think that the hamster is dead.
Feel if your hamster's heart is beating. If you can't see if your hamster is breathing, try feeling its heartbeat. It may slow down significantly, but will still be present. A hibernating hamster can feel as few as four beats per minute, or one beat every 15 seconds.
- It will be difficult for you to feel the heart of a hamster due to the small size of the animal. To do this, put a large and forefinger one hand on both sides chest hamster (behind the elbows). Apply a little pressure, but not too much. Wait a little. After some time, you may feel a slight tremor at your fingertips.
A hamster's body temperature is not an indicator of its life/death. Don't worry if your hamster suddenly seems cold to you. This doesn't mean he's dead. During hibernation, all processes in the body slow down and body temperature decreases.
How to wake a hamster from hibernation
To awaken your hamster from hibernation, take him to a room where the air temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. After 2-3 days the hamster should wake up on its own.
- If your hamster hasn't woken up after 2-3 days, look to see if it shows any signs of death, e.g. unpleasant odor or rigor mortis. If your hamster is hibernating, it will smell as usual.
- Experts recommend this method of awakening because it is the closest to natural conditions, the body gradually awakens itself. Therefore, the risk of any violations due to a “quick reboot” of the body is sharply reduced.
- Fill your hamster's feeder and water bowl with food and water in advance.
To help those who have the same symptoms...
When your hamster starts behaving strangely, gets sick, or suddenly you urgently need advice, immediately open Google and start typing in your question.
Daisy was my first hamster. Furry family member Small child. Our princess. We spent every evening together...
Fluffy Syrian hamster. I very often opened Google and looked for information on care, nutrition, appearance etc. I often found what I needed, but these were posts on forums where, unfortunately, there was no ending to the story.
Daisy passed away today. She was one and a half years old, she could have lived longer, but unfortunately she could not cope with pneumonia. And this is the worst thing, that she died not from old age, but from a disease that could have been prevented and cured if the symptoms had been immediately noticed. Let my sad experience be a lesson for everyone. Let this story have an ending. I want you not to repeat my mistakes.
Throughout her life, Daisy was ill 2 times, 2 of them were fatal.
Poisoning (bloating, inactive behavior, no appetite).
She was one year old. It so happened that she ate white cabbage and raw potatoes. As you know, this is a heavy food for hamsters, which can be fatal!
1- She didn’t leave the house all evening (it happens that in the evening we find ourselves in a period when she’s sleeping, and we go to bed without seeing her). The next day it became clear that she did not go out at night, the food remained untouched.
2- We took her out of the house, she looked at us, did not utter a sound and did not move. Just calm sat on my hand, didn’t run anywhere(which is very surprising).
3- It’s worth it right away remember what was different from usual. New bedding, toy, food, sand? We remembered about cabbage and Google to help us. We found that we can solder the hamster with dill solution. We crushed the dill seeds, poured hot water (I think it would be better to boil), and served her the warm solution. We didn’t have a syringe, we served it on a spoon, she got 2-3 drops. The next morning she was already running in the wheel and ate all the food.
4- Why did Google come to our aid, because it was night, and all the clinics I called “exotic animals” were not treated or offered to make an appointment with qualified veterinarian, who is available for appointments on certain days. If you have hamster is better immediately find a clinic that treats them and works around the clock, because hamsters are nocturnal animals, more often than not you will notice that something is wrong with them already at night!!!
5- This story ended well. I had dill seeds and just wanted to plant them on Daisy's windowsill.
Result:
-Always google what a hamster can eat!! Even when you think it's perfect regular food! Phrase: “Yes, in nature they generally eat just about anything!” inappropriate here. Hamsters don't know what they can eat and what they can't, so you are responsible.
-Buy dill seeds. Hamsters often experience indigestion. If you didn’t notice, he’s already chewing your flower or collecting crumbs from the table.
-Find a VETERINARY CLINIC immediately!!! There are very few hamster specialists!!!
Colds, pneumonia (eyes fester, weakness, wheezing, rapid breathing).
I don't know exactly when it started. Perhaps she cared so much in one day, or perhaps it lasted for several days. But I will capture as much time as possible.
1 - Mon - morning. I noticed that one eye is somehow closed and they are wet, it was not clear whether she had just stood up and that’s why she was so wrinkled, or whether something was wrong. But she behaved normally. I was running, my appetite was good. We left for work. In the evening she was already as usual, not a hint of wet eyes. Just in case, we washed everything and changed the bedding.
2- Wed night. Daisy published strange sounds, not a squeak, not a sneeze, but some kind of chirping. Now I think that perhaps it was a cough; few people know how hamsters cough. She looked normal, we assumed that she was just washing herself in the house, she sometimes made a couple of such sounds.
3- Thu- we bought her hazel sticks, new sand for cleaning, food. This purchase later led us astray.
4- Sat-evening. Daisy again slept for a long time, We didn’t see her that evening, which was a big mistake.
5- Sun-evening. Daisy came out of the house and was in a terrible state! The eyes were festered and there was blood. We decided that it was because of the new sand or that we had gotten some bad sawdust - here we were wrong (((
We washed her eyes with chamomile. They removed everything from the cage, washed it and left only the house, they didn’t even put down the sawdust.
An hour passed, Daisy left the house and She couldn’t walk normally, she fell on her side, her eyes were stuck together again. In an hour!!!
Of course, an urgent call to the clinics, who will take the hamster at night? Google symptoms. On the 8th call I got to where I needed to be, we They suggested giving the hamster cycloferon (1/16 (1/4 in half, then another in half) part of the tablet or intramuscularly). But it’s one thing to give dill to drink, another thing to give serious medicine. We got ready and took Homa to the hospital. By the time she arrived, she was just lying there and not moving. There was rapid breathing.
The veterinarian listened to his breathing (there were wheezing), conducted an examination, tried to check the temperature, but to no avail. All symptoms pointed to a cold. They gave her 5 injections! They left her for observation overnight, but immediately said that she had little chance, too bad condition+ age. This morning they called and said that she was gone...
Result:
-look at the hamster every day!!!
- if you notice something strange, then immediately find the reason!!!
-And most importantly, Khomas are very sensitive to temperature changes. We had heat, but then the gas was turned off for 2 weeks; when we were at home, the heater was working; when we left, it was turned off. The summer in our region was cool, perhaps she caught a cold because of this, and on Saturday while cleaning I opened the window, Daisy was far from it, but there was a draft and that was enough for her. It was the last hot day of summer outside, today it’s cold, +7 degrees...
PS. This is my first review - I apologize if anything is wrong and for any mistakes.
A hamster's life is quite short. When buying a fluffy, immediately understand this point for yourself and do not hope that he will live 10 years. Usually hamsters die of old age at the age of 2.5-3 years. But there are factors that can accelerate the death of an animal. At the same time, it is not always clear what to do if a hamster dies, and is it possible to somehow help the pet?
Causes of hamster death
The death of a tiny creature can be provoked various factors, so first of all you need to understand why hamsters die. Here are the most common reasons:
If the hamster suddenly died, there could be any reasons. But when a homa has been living with you for 3 years, becoming more lethargic day by day, he dies of old age. Let's consider this issue in more detail.
Death from old age
The main cause of death in older animals (and not only hamsters) is wear and tear of the heart muscle and blood vessels. For example, a person who is in calm state, the heart beats at a frequency of approximately 70 beats/min. In a hamster, this figure is 180 beats per minute. Just imagine how this tiny heart works!
Many factors throughout life cause stress conditions in furries, during which the heart works much faster. Thus, the heart muscle of small animals wears out very quickly, so an old hamster can die, even if all other organs are healthy.
Wear and tear of the blood vessels can result in hemorrhage into the animal’s brain, followed by paralysis. That is, Homa is still alive, but he can no longer play, run in a wheel or move at all. What to do in such a situation, put your friend to sleep or continue to care for him? This is a decision you must make yourself.
How do hamsters die?
The death of a pet can be expected or sudden. Hamsters can die screaming or absolutely silently. Here are the signs that your hamster is dying suddenly:
- if the pet is sick, he will cry, gradually his voice will turn into a fading wheeze;
- when falling from high altitude the pet can damage the spine, in which case its body will be limp, and death will occur within an hour;
- The paralysis of an animal can be determined by its immobility. Khoma breathes, can eat a little, but is no longer able to move independently. From now on, the hamster's days are numbered.
In the case of prolonged illnesses and old age, the following external signs will help to recognize the approaching death of the animal:
- The animal became lethargic and unsociable, although previously it was willing to be handled.
- Sudden weight loss and the animal's refusal to eat indicate that the end is near. Also, a sure sign of dying is that the homa has stopped storing food: he feels that he will not need food soon.
- The animal's eyes do not shine as before and gradually become cloudy.
- The fur takes on a dull appearance and begins to fall out or become matted.
Is it possible to save a pet?
If you see that your hamster is dying, you should try to save its life. Of course, in the case of old age and cancer, it is no longer possible to help a tiny creature. The only thing you can do is prevent the animal from suffering.
But if alarming signs appear in the behavior of a young pet, you can extend its life. But at the same time, a quick consultation with a qualified specialist - required condition. The sooner the doctor examines the khoma, the higher the chances of the fluffy.
We establish the fact of death
The death of a hamster can sometimes be confused with paralysis or sound sleep. If your hamster suddenly died, you need to make sure that it is really death and not paralysis. But how to do that?
The most important signs A dead animal is considered to have no pulse or breathing. You need to bring the mirror close to the nose: if it fogs up slightly, then the animal is still alive. To determine the heartbeat, the body must be picked up. By the way, you can determine its temperature in the same way: no heat comes from dead hamsters. The fact of death may also be indicated by the numbness of the hamster.
Preventing premature death
For the hamster to live a long and happy life and died only of old age, we need to take good care of him. Here are a number of rules that will help prolong the life of your pet:
- Feed the animal correctly, do not give fatty, spicy and sour foods. Remember: rodents should not eat stale food!
- Clean the cage often to reduce the chance of contracting a bacterial infection.
- Eliminate sources of stress and danger: electrical appliances, cats and dogs. Do not disturb your pet's usual routine, do not play with it forcefully.
- Do not wash the animal unless absolutely necessary and do not leave the cage with the animal in drafts.
- You cannot cross rodents too early: the hamster may die during childbirth.
- Communicate with your furry friend, he should feel your love.
- Take your fluffy to the vet periodically.
It happens that, despite all the efforts of owners and veterinarians, a pet dies. If you want to get a hamster or other animal again, thoroughly rinse the cage and all hamster furniture, and pour boiling water over it several times. This will help fight bacteria that may have caused the death of your previous pet.
Now you know why your pet. It should be remembered that not all hamster diseases are treatable. That's why important role plays a role in preventing their development. Timely consultations with a veterinarian, proper care for the animal, a balanced diet will help extend its lifespan. But if your hamster dies of old age, it is, alas, impossible to save him.
Not all owners of small pets thoroughly understand their habits and habits. Especially when it comes to small rodents. Therefore, some features of their behavior cause sincere bewilderment. For example, a rat chatters its teeth. What does it mean?
Most often, the characteristic sound when a rat chatters its teeth is produced in a state of absolute rest. After eating, the rat does something useful for its body - in this way it sharpens its teeth. This is an urgent natural necessity. If this is not done, then the incisors can grow to an exorbitant length and cause painful sensations, growing into the oral cavity. Once carried away by the process, the animal can bulge its eyes, which usually frightens inexperienced owners. However, this is considered normal phenomena during the sharpening procedure.
One of the special cases: sharpening of teeth occurs not after, but during eating, while eating hard food. The animal does not have enough strength to chew through some pieces and is forced to sharpen its incisors to do this, increasing their efficiency.
However, this is not all possible situations giving an answer to the question why a rat chatters its teeth.
Less common cases
Another option is that the rodent experiences joyful moments for some reason. This usually happens at the moment when the owner caresses his pet. The sound is equivalent to a cat purring. In case of particularly strong emotions, body vibration is added.
When you are scared or excited, you can hear a similar sound. However, these emotions are accompanied by characteristic behavior in everything else, so they are quite easy to read and distinguish:
- Rising wool;
- Body muscles look tense;
- The gaze is directed in the direction of the source of experiences. Usually frozen and hardly blinking.
The most common situations are when a rat experiences negative emotions:
- The appearance of new unfamiliar pets next to the rodent;
- Unfamiliar environment;
- Visit to the veterinary clinic.
Sometimes passions boil with such force that the animal begins to prepare for an attack. This happens when a new tenant moves into the cage. The aggressor must be immediately isolated, otherwise a fierce battle and spilled blood cannot be avoided.
Curiosity and interest can also cause teeth grinding.
Knocking and grinding as a cause for alarm
Representatives of rodents bred for home care, are usually susceptible to a whole range of different ailments, the course of which can also be accompanied by the sound of grinding or chattering of teeth. Diseases for which you need to be prepared:
- a wide variety of tumors;
- strokes and heart attacks of all possible types and types;
- infection with mites and their further penetration into the body;
- problems related to the respiratory system;
- overgrown incisors that began to dig into the skin and cause acute pain.
The sounds that an animal makes when sick are designed to attract the owner’s attention to itself. The pain and discomfort are still moderate and tolerable for now.
Before the rodent begins to suffer, it is worth taking action and contacting a specialist for help.
Instead of a conclusion
This is the immunity of rats. This is the language of their communication. If you master it perfectly and learn to understand it, you can interact much more closely with your furry little friend. This will only bring sincere pleasure to both. And questions like why a rat chatters its teeth will no longer arise.
“Syrian hamsters may hibernate when the ambient temperature drops sharply, when the animals are experiencing a lack of water, etc. A hibernating hamster may feel hard and cold to the touch, with very little breathing.
Careful observation of such a hamster will show that its chest continues to move at certain intervals. If the hamster has not prepared for winter, and hibernation occurs unexpectedly, the animal must be awakened to avoid dehydration and starvation.
The hamster needs to be placed in a warm place, or the temperature in the room in which the cage is located should be increased. The hamster should not be placed near open fires, heaters or radiators. With gradual awakening, the hamster will begin to move and tremble, its body temperature will gradually increase, and its breathing rate will increase. Complete awakening from hibernation usually occurs after 30-60 minutes." (c)
“Hamsters do not hibernate, but when the ambient temperature drops to 10 degrees they can fall into torpor. A hamster can be brought out of such torpor by warming it in the palms of your hands.” (With)
"Many animals hibernate to survive harsh living conditions, such as cold and lack of food. During hibernation, the animal's metabolism decreases significantly, resulting in energy savings. Respiration and blood circulation slow down, and body temperature decreases. For example, the body temperature of marmots drops so much that it exceeds the ambient temperature by only 3 ° C. If the temperature in their burrow is 8 ° C above zero, then their body temperature is about 11 ° C!
But Djungarian hamsters follow a different strategy to survive the cold winter in their homeland. They do not hibernate, but remain active throughout the winter. However, in order to save maximum energy, during rest they fall into so-called torpor.
What is meant by numbness? physiological state, which is found in some small mammals. During torpor, metabolism drops to a minimum, so that all body functions are simultaneously maintained on a “low flame.” As a result of this, the animals become completely inactive and remain in a state of bodily rigor. There are practically no reactions to external stimuli in this state. Unlike hibernation, torpor does not occur at a certain time of the year, but at a certain time of day. Thus, sleepy torpor is much shorter than hibernation and lasts several hours during the day when the animal is inactive.
The fact that Djungarian hamsters can fall into torpor during inactivity in winter was revealed as a result of laboratory research. The change between the active phase and the torpor phase occurs in a cycle that repeats every day. This cycle begins approximately 30-60 minutes before sunrise, when numbness sets in, which begins with a drop in body temperature. The animal remains in winter rigor for approximately 4-9 hours. At the end of the torpor phase, the body temperature of the Djungarian hamster drops to approximately 20°C. Moreover, unlike hibernation, body temperature does not depend on the ambient temperature. Thus, there is no difference whether the Djungarian hamster’s ambient temperature is 5°C or 15°C; in both cases, the animal’s body temperature will not fall below 20°C. At the end of torpor, the animals slowly wake up and remain active the rest of the day, spending most of the time searching for food. When morning twilight sets in, Djungarian hamsters again fall into torpor, and a new cycle begins."
A hamster's teeth are an indicator of its health. Owners should monitor their pet's teeth. If everything is not okay with them, the animal will not be able to eat normally. And the correct and good nutrition important for all living beings.
How many teeth does a hamster have?
On the front of the hamster you can see two protruding incisors. However, that's not all his teeth are. How many teeth does a hamster have? Normally there are 16 of them. To examine the entire dentition, take the animal by the scruff of the neck and carefully pull the cheek pouches back. The animal has 4 incisors (2 on each jaw) and 12 molars (6 below and above). The front teeth are for biting hard food, the back teeth are for chewing.
Why are hamsters' teeth yellow?
Many owners wonder: why does a hamster have yellow teeth? Someone begins to worry about their health. However, such fears are in vain; the enamel color of these rodents by nature is not white, but yellow. If the incisors have become very dark during a short time or covered brown coating, the animal’s food contains a lot of dyes. If the animal is no longer young, this phenomenon may be a sign of approaching old age.
Why do hamsters sharpen their teeth?
The hamster's front teeth have no roots. Teeth constantly grow throughout life. Therefore, animals have to grind them down. The nerve endings are located at the very base of the incisors, so the sharpening process is absolutely painless. Since the enamel is stronger at the front, when the animal gnaws on something hard, the incisors become sharper. He also has to sharpen his molars.
It is important to provide your hamster with solid food every day, since eating only soft food will deteriorate his health and worsen the condition of his teeth. When a hamster needs to sharpen its incisors, it may begin to chew on the bars of the cage. To sharpen them, it is recommended to place pieces of tree bark, branches of fruit trees or a mineral stone into the cage. This way, you will provide your baby with useful substances and microelements and help him maintain oral health.
When is dental care needed?
Djungarian and Syrian hamsters may experience the following problems:
- The upper or lower incisors are broken. If this happens, you need to make sure that the tooth opposite the broken one does not grow too long. It is recommended to trim your teeth so that they grow evenly without growing too much.
- Uneven growth of incisors. The teeth can grow into the palate or cheek pouches and wear down unevenly. Be attentive to your pet; if he becomes restless, behaves strangely, splutters, feels discomfort when lightly pressing on his cheeks, loses weight or eats poorly, this is a reason to immediately take him to the veterinarian.
- If an animal chatters its teeth, it indicates that it is angry or irritated. Hamsters usually react this way to strangers who take them in their arms.
- Increased salivation most often indicates tooth loss (usually due to injury, although it can happen unnoticed). There is no need to worry, the baby will soon grow a new one.
- Curvature of the incisors does not allow the hamster to eat properly.
- If formed malocclusion, the jaws cannot close completely, food gets stuck behind the cheeks, and the hamster feels worse.
How to prevent dental diseases in a hamster?
To detect in time possible problems with your teeth, check them regularly oral cavity, pushing back the cheek pouches. Ideally, you should see straight, even teeth of approximately the same length. The following recommendations will help preserve your baby's teeth:
- If your hamster creaks or chatters his teeth, it means he is dissatisfied with something, is stressed and cannot relax.
- Hamster teeth will be strong and healthy if you buy special food with sufficient calcium content.
- If one of the incisors falls out or breaks off, experts advise trimming the teeth so that they grow evenly. Then the pet will be able to eat normally. It is best to contact a veterinarian who will straighten the incisors. If you are unable to visit a doctor, treat your fluffy yourself. The protruding part of the incisor can be carefully cut off with a cat nail clipper or nail clippers. The hamster will not experience painful sensations, if you proceed with caution.
So, we learned about how many teeth a hamster has, how to care for them, monitor their condition, and what to do if problems arise. Don’t be lazy to look after your pet, visit the veterinarian on time, then the baby will delight you and will not give you cause for concern. The health and life expectancy of your pet directly depend on the quality of care for it.
Hamster diseases are often incurable. But for a loving owner, this is not a reason to refuse help. If a doctor who knows the symptoms and treatment of major pet diseases cannot be found, the owner should do his own research. All processes in the body of tiny animals proceed rapidly, so the theory is studied in advance in order to have an idea of what to do if the hamster gets sick.
Diseases are divided into two groups: contagious and non-contagious. The list of them is very extensive. But the symptoms can be similar for completely different diseases. The first task of the owner is to understand that something is wrong with the pet. A healthy animal is active and has a good appetite. The coat is dry, thick, shiny and smooth, the eyes are clear and clean.
How to tell if your hamster is sick:
- appetite disturbances: complete or partial refusal of food, selective eating of food, increased thirst;
- excessive drooling: wet fur on the chin, neck, chest;
- diarrhea: traces of feces around the anus, wet fur on the back half of the body;
- lacrimation or;
- breathing problems: discharge from the nostrils, sniffling, wheezing;
- skin problems: dull coat, tangles, bald spots, wounds and flaking;
- oppression: the hamster has become lethargic and inactive, lies all the time;
- Problems nervous system: convulsions, loss of coordination;
- unnatural formations on the body, swelling.
Any violation of the usual routine should be a cause for concern and a close examination of the animal. The owner can tell if the hamster is sick much earlier veterinarian, because I am familiar with his habits and characteristics.
Some infections are very dangerous and lead to the death of the animal in 1-2 days, others. Having little idea of what ails hamsters, owners usually begin to worry if a rodent has bitten someone in the household. Is it worth worrying - controversial issue: Rabies vaccinations are not given afterward, but the wound must be treated with an antiseptic and remember about other diseases.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis
Extremely rare viral disease, which is transmitted to humans. The source can be wild rodents - house mice. In adult hamsters the disease is asymptomatic, but in young animals damage is observed respiratory system and conjunctivitis (rarely - paralysis and convulsions). In humans, the virus affects the membranes of the brain, and in case of pregnancy it is extremely dangerous for the fetus. Related to this:
- do not buy a hamster at the poultry market;
- purchase a hamster over 3 months of age;
- Do not get new rodents during pregnancy.
Due to the particular danger of lymphocytic choriomeningitis, many are interested in whether hamsters should be vaccinated. Rodents are not vaccinated against this disease or others.
Bacterial infections can affect various systems body: respiratory organs, gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary system.
Infectious gastroenteritis
It is assumed that rodents experience a stroke - a hemorrhage in the brain, but this cannot be reliably determined. Old hamsters experience partial paralysis and other neurological diseases. If an older hamster is shaking and trembling, this is warning sign– convulsions are not related to the temperature in the room and may occur.
A separate group includes diseases of females and young animals associated with reproduction: pyometra, pathological childbirth, toxicosis of pregnancy.
Digestive disorder
With diarrhea, the fur around the anus is dirty, the hamster is lethargic and lies on its stomach. If the owner is sure that he is associated with feeding and not bacterial infection, you can start treating your hamster at home. All supplies are removed from the pantry, and the pet is prescribed a strict diet - no succulent food. Drink rice decoction, which has fixing properties, and chamomile decoction with an insulin syringe. A decoction of oak bark is good for normalizing stool during diarrhea.
If the pet does not get better within 24 hours, or there is a suspicion that the hamster has been poisoned, you should contact a veterinarian.
Conjunctivitis
Due to the bulging eyes, conjunctivitis is a very common disease in hamsters. Sometimes the eyelids become completely stuck together with pus. The owner should regularly wash the eyes with saline solution or aqueous solution furatsilin, and then drip eye drops with an antibiotic (Floxal) 4 times a day.
Injuries
In nature, hamsters live on plains, so they are undeservedly considered extremely stupid animals: they are not at all afraid of heights, and often get injured and mutilated. An apartment is not a suitable environment for a pet to walk. And if, out of ignorance, two hamsters live in a cage at once, injuries cannot be avoided. The home owner should always have something to treat a hamster's wound. An inexpensive and non-aggressive antiseptic for any skin damage and inflammation is chlorhexidine.
Conclusion
Information about the symptoms of diseases in rodents can help identify illness in time. If a hamster behaves strangely, this is already a reason to suspect something is wrong. In rodents, signs of the disease may not be obvious.
The sooner a sick hamster gets an appointment with a specialist, the greater his chances of getting better. You should not ask how to cure a hamster and why he got sick on the Internet. Although experienced hamster breeders often respond on forums, it will be much more useful to find out the contact information of a doctor who specializes in the treatment of rodents. Tiny animals get sick quickly and often die. Even the best ratologist will not be able to resuscitate a hamster that has been sick for several days and arrived at the appointment already in a state of agony.
Common Hamster Diseases
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