Eye Problem

[teeny_tiny_tony123]

Hello,
I have recently noticed that Toni’s left eye appears to be squinted and a bit sticky. There is some fur loss too and I’m wondering whether a vet visit would be a good idea. Is there anything I can do in the meantime to help? There are some photos attached Her eye did seem to become a bit more bead-like earlier when I cleaned her cage though.

Thanks!

 

[Maz]

I think she probably just has a sticky eye - it's quite common when they get older You'll need to dab it with something soaked in either boiled water or saline. Boiled water is probably fine - when it's almost gone cold but not quite. I use the corner of a soft cloth like a microfibre cloth. Don't have it too wet, just damp enough to squeeze a drop onto it and dab it. She probably won't like it much and will wriggle but they're usually visibly happier once it's done! You might need to dab it two or three times - if it isn't open then just leave it for a while and probably will open.

I can't see any fur loss?

 

[teeny_tiny_tony123]

Thanks for your reply, Maz. I’ll give it a go. Yes, it’s hard to see in the photos, to be honest, her fur is thinning all over and I can feel her bones more now. However, she is still enjoying her cucumber and tottering around.

 

[Maz]

At her age, some fur thinning is quite usual. Do you give her any linseeds? A pinch of those daily can help their skin and fur. Feeling bony is also quite usual once they get to two, but the main thing is to keep an eye on her weight - weigh her once a week, ideally on the same day, and see if there's much change each week. They sometimes need soft food at this age as weight loss can be them not eating properly due to toothache. So you could try putting out some soaked science selective pellets, on a separate dish, as well as her regular mix, then she'll be getting all the right nutrients.

Maybe 3 or 4 pellets and a couple of drops of boiled water on them - wait for 10 mins or so until it's cooled down and they should form a mush. It's important to keep putting the regular food out too as they still like to keep up the normal behaviours of pouching and hoarding

 

[teeny_tiny_tony123]

Yes, I do give her a pinch of linseeds in her food sometimes. She likes to lick them from my hand too. I’ll definitely keep a close eye on her weight. Do you mean these?

 

[Maz]

Yes those I'd give her a pinch of linseeds daily on a separate dish - it can make quite a difference in a couple of weeks Or from your hand, but daily.

 

[teeny_tiny_tony123]

Update on Toni
Her pellets arrived today and she seems to like them mushed up. Should I feed her these daily? I’ve just finished bathing her eye and it’s definitely looking better. Thanks for your help The only other thing is, I’ve noticed her bottom teeth are spread apart instead of parallel next to each other. I’m slightly worried whether this is normal or not in older hamsters. I’ve tried dangling a treat to get a good view of her teeth.

 

[Maz]

Yes they shouldn't be apart like that and it might be why she's losing weight if she can't eat properly or has toothache. I wonder if one has just "bent" if it's loose? One of my hamsters lost both top front teeth and managed very well with soft food.

Glad to her her eye has improved. You may have to repeat the process if it happens again.

Yes you can give the science selective daily - maybe three or four pellets soaked until they turn to mush. But still put her regular hamster mix out as well.

My go to's for an older hamster are:

Science selective pellet mush on a baby food lid
A pinch of linseeds and a pinch of shelled hemp seeds on another baby food lid (or alternate them)
Some baby food on a teaspoon (maybe a level teaspoon of it) - or you could alternate with porridge
Regular hamster mix

If she needs weight gain then you could also give crushed nuts on another dish or as a trio with the hemp seeds and linseeds - for calories. Hemp seeds also have high calories and are full of vitamins and minerals.

Keep an eye on her bottom teeth over the next few days - she might need to see a vet over them but see how it goes.

 

[teeny_tiny_tony123]

Sounds good, I’ll try more mushy food now but still sprinkle her normal harry hamster mix and nuggets around. She does enjoy some porridge and I’ll have a look into getting some nuts for her I’ll let you know how it goes! Thanks for your advice

 

[Maz]

You can either grind nuts between two teaspoons or buy them ready milled - then they can just lick them up

I used to get this one

Linwoods

 

[teeny_tiny_tony123]

Great, I’m sure Toni will like them.