Hamster Conjunctivitis - Not going away!?

Question

My hamster has conjunctivitis in his left eye and has had it for ages! At first we bathed it with warm water and cotton wool. We then went to the vets and they gave us some antibiotics. But they didn't really work. So we went back again and she gave us some stronger antibiotics, I've noticed slight improvement but not much!

The vet said that after 2 weeks it should have fully cleared up and it hasn't. She also said possible surgery to take a sample of the skin tissue from his eye which I DO NOT want. He's great in himself, it's just his eye.

I don't know what else to do.

Answer 1

What kind of antibiotics has he been getting?  I would be tempted to try an antibiotic ointment or drop for the eye, and an oral antibiotic.

Try changing the environment.  Get rid of any wood shavings and switch to something like yesterday's news, carefresh, or just paper towels.  Try to keep him away from anything that may be irritating like open windows that could let in pollen, or areas with a lot of dust or air fresheners.

Sometimes it takes a longer course of antibiotics to clear up a problem.  I've had animals on antibiotics for over a month to clear up a persistent infection.

Answer 2

He might need an oral antibiotic on top of the one you're squirting in his eye. Good luck!

Answer 3

Oh dear! Maybe you can search some sites for cures, and ask the vet if there are other choices.

Answer 4

In a situation like this, you really should follow your vet’s advice. There are 3 types of conjunctivitis, and most forms usually do clear after 7 days, with or without treatment. Treatment will normally relieve the discomfort and help to heal quicker.

Your vet is right; she is not sure what it is, and needs to take a sample to find out, as it is obviously ‘not’ conjunctivitis.

Because of the potential toxicity of boric acid: never use it on animals, unless directed by your vet: Boric acid: is a low-toxicity mineral with insecticide, fungicidal, and herbicidal properties, and in some cases may be used under supervision as a mild antiseptic / germicide. Boric acid is used to kill cockroaches, and other insects in its powder form, and very toxic if taken internally. Sometimes it is said to be used in a weak dilute form, on the eye. But it must never be used on open wounds. Boric acid is absorbed very quickly through broken skin, and deaths have occurred from this. Accidental ingestion may cause poisoning in humans, and in animals. Inhalation of the dust particles should be avoided. If antibiotics have failed to do anything, then Boric acid will not do any better.

Safety Data Boric acid http://www.jtbaker.com/msds/englishhtml/...

Answer 5

You can try the following home treatment - mix half a cup of sterile (boiled and cooled) water with a teaspoon of boric acid powder (available from a chemist or pharmacy) and use an eye dropper to bathe the eye twice or three times a day.(Though it might not help where antibiotics have failed, it can help reduce irritation and make your hamster feel more comfortable)

Check his bedding - are you using wood shavings? I have had some cases of hamster red eyes at my vet's clinic that have been caused by allergy due to wood shavings. Try changing the bedding to Carefresh (if you are using shavings). Maybe that might help.

If the condition still persists, I would go ahead with the vet's idea of a skin sample graft to rule out any cancer or such problems with his eye.

I hope your little hammy gets well soon. All the best!

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And as regards boric acid being toxic as written by one answerer, please note that boric acid has been widely researched and .................

"Boric acid has the distinction of being the only known acid that is actually beneficial (rather than harmful) to the eyes, and as such is used by ophthalmologists and in some commercial eye drops"

Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid

It is widely used in a very diluted form for eye problems for both humans and for animals in my vet clinic. I can quote more references from my vet books if needed.

Even petwebsites recommed this for hamster eye infections.

Check out the following link -

http://www.hamsterific.com/IllnessGuide....

Boric acid is mentioned as a treatment for eye problems in the above website.

Hope this clears any doubt about boric acid used in eye infections for small animals.