Milli Kyle's Hamster is sick

[MaryEvelyn]

I am doing everything I can for him but we will see. I cannot find a vet that will treat hamsters in my area. :( He has gunked up eyes and is not eatting right any advice?

[milivica]

You really have to get him to a vet.

Using warm water on a cloth, or q-tip or what ever works for you, keep his eyes clean.

The gunk in the eyes might be something Neosporin can help (yes, I know it says don't stick in eyes) but then again it might not...the neomycin sulfate in it, is what the vet 'might' give you. I asked mine once if I could just use the Neosporin, and she said yes when Vincent's hamster Buddy got a gooky eye.

What do you mean by not eating 'right'? Does he have wet tail (diarhea)? See if he's dehydrated. Grasp the skin on the back of his neck, like you would a kitten you were going to pick up...if the skin stays up instead of going back flat, he is. Depending on how much, he might need a shot to hydrate him.

[MaryEvelyn]

Well I finaly got a hold of a vet they took him in right away. They said he is old and dehydrated they told me to give him some cream for his eye and pedilight for rehydration (mixed with water) and we will see. My Hubby will be pissed at the bill $75 and they dont think he will make it :(

[milivica]

But $75 is worth your conscious, Kyle's memories that you did all you could, it's not about the value of a hamster, ya know? Tell your dh his son's respect cost $75 - it's not about the hamsters street value, but Kyle's experience and memories when the hamster comes to pass someday, so you had to try. To himself though, I'm sure the hamster would tell you he's worth it....all dudes think that, hee hee.

I hope he gets well, if he does not, you did all you could.

Rodents can be EXpensive to take to the vet, they consider them 'exotics' or some dumb thing. That vet really charged a lot, not fair. I know I found prices from $55 to $85 in the past, so shopped around when my rats and hamsters were WELL so I'd have a vet when I needed one. When you can, hunt around for a vet that is more reasonable. My vet charges $20 for each rodent visit INCLUDING meds.

[LauraP]

MaryEvelyn--I'm assuming you already paid the $75, right? Otherwise, I'd suggest you ask the vet if there is any way to reduce the visit fee. They may do it, especially if it's a kid involved.

They also have the ability to reduce the med fees--our vet technician pointed out that most vets will do this, especially if you state that you want the same prices you would get from Petmeds.com. Vets are wary of these sources, since they often use different formulations, and will usually match the online prices, just to keep your business and to keep you from getting watered-down "diet antibiotic" from suspect sources. We now get a 10-20% reduction on the Frontline treatment and Interceptor tabs for our dogs (which thank God we get, because they are expensive enough!).

Neosporin is probably fine at least to start. Not to be negative, but it's happened to us that we got the Cadillac treatment for a pet, and 2 days into the medication, the animal died and we were left with the meds and nothing to give them to (and you don't get a refund). If the hamster is old and dehydrated, it is possible he is going to have renal failure in the short term, and there really isn't anything you can do other than make him comfortable for the remainder, which I think is a fine thing to be able to do.

[MaryEvelyn]

They gave us the meds for free because they don't think it will work and yes we played the Autism card. Kyle was in school and when I called I told them that he had Autism and that he was just soooo upset and we only had so much money :rolleyes: true, but honestly, as upset as Kyle was we would pay it. The eye is just scratched, they cut his nails for us, the dehydration was because when they don't feel good they don't eat and drink. They believe he is about 18 months old and are just afraid that due to his poor breading he has no reserves to fight off infection. They gave me a topical antibiotic and a shot of fluids under the skin and told me to feed him baby food and give him Pedilight. He seems to be doing better now.

[milivica]

He seems to be doing better now.

WONDERFUL.

So hard to tell longevity of rodents, your hammy could go on for another year easily. But if his breeder wasn't conscience, who knows?? I've heard folks that had hammies that lived until 4.

I am adopted, so am finally realizing little by little how big a role genes plays in things - the babies we kept from our hammie's midnight rendevoux died on the SAME NIGHT. Heredity must have played a role. Or the fact they were 109 years old (kidding).

I have a relative (an inlaw) that's nearing 100, she smokes from time to time, drinks, is overweight, eats what she wants, never exercises, had a stressful marriage of either getting along or being violent with one another. Her whole family is like that.