My hamster might be sick!!!?

Question

If my hamster is sneezing is he sick or is it just dust??? He keeps sneezing though so I am wondering if he is sick... Serious answers only!!! I think I should take him to the vet, what do you think. Answer right away!!!

Answer 1

First step is to check if the bedding is causing the sneezing. Do not use pine / cedar bedding as it causes respiratoryt problems for which sneezing signifies the first step. If you are using only Carefresh or aspen shavings, then I think you should take him to the vet as it could signify the onset of a flu or cold.

Answer 2

There's an easy way to find out:

Buy Dustless Cedar and change his cage bedding. If the sneexing stops, it was the dust.

If it continues, and he starts to act lethargic/his eyes water- he's sick.

Answer 3

I think this is right time to get an appointment from your vet. Occasional sneezing is not too worrisome, but if there is any loss of appetite, decreased activity, wheezing or difficulties breathing, immediate veterinary attention should be sought.

Hamsters can get respiratory infections that can lead to pneumonia.

Try to keep him as warm as you can, give him some extra bedding, keep him away from draughts and dont leave windows open for a long period of time. If it is a cold, he will start to develop more serious symptoms like, lazyness, sleepyness, refusal to eat and play.

Sneezing is also a symptom of allergy. For example if you keep your hamster in your room , the air freshner, deodorant etc that you use could be bothering him. Stop with any air fresheners you may have and apply your sprays in another room.

Try to feed him things that will boost his health, like lettace, apples (no skin), carrots (this veg should be given at the most twice a week in small amounts) and maybe a small amount of luke warm milk, 5 or 6 drops should do the trick, only give him this once tho as its not usually in his natural diet.

Hope this will help you to get rid of sneezing of your hamster.

Answer 4

Usually when rodents show a continuous pattern of hacking or sneezing it does mean that they are sick, he could have a respiratory infection. You should take him to a vet and see what he thinks he can do for the little guy .

Answer 5

Well I think you should take him to the vet just in case by the way go to this website it tells some symtons of sicknesses.

http://www.angelfire.com/tn/allabouthams...

Answer 6

The biggest reason he's probably sneezing depends upon the type of bedding you're using. If you're using anything like wood chips (i.e. cedar, pine, aspen), the dust and oils (cedar) can cause upper respiratory infections. Trust me, I lost two Russian Hamsters about 6 years to it.

The best chance to save him would be to get him to the vet, they will probably put him on an antibiotic like Baytril. Trisulfa can work, but it will take a while longer. For the Baytril, the dose will probably be like 0.03cc's for approximately two weeks. I currently work at a petstore and we have seen the same problem in our hamsters/gerbils/guinea pigs/mice/rats.

If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me at [e-mail].

Have a great day!

Peace out!

Stephanie McKinster

Answer 7

alot of hamsters will sneeze for no reason  so you should not be worried unless he losses his appetite or anything like that