Ask Your Pet Question. Pet Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Pet Question?)

My hamster seems lethargic and cold - she won't ...
Sent to Pet Experts November 27 10:39 AM

My hamster seems lethargic and cold - she won't stay in her little box and comes out to sleep on the bare cage. Her breathing is rapid. Her stools look hard, but she had some wetness around the anus. What is wrong?

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $5
Answer
November 27 11:32 AM (53 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
THIS ANSWER IS LOCKED!
You can view this answer by clicking here to Register or Login and paying $3.
Picture
NancyH -- Pet Health Care, Rescue,Train,Breed -- 99% Positive Feedback on 7069 Pet Accepts
30+yrs pet vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior & training, responsible breeding, small animal care
Reply
November 27 11:46 AM (14 minutes and 9 seconds later)
         
The stools in the cage are solid. She has some stool around her anus and some wetness, but I don't show signs of it in her cage. I just cleaned her cage last night and then this morning I noticed she was sick. She is lethargic, her eyes are half open, she feels very cold, and her breathing is very rapid. Does this sound more like a cold? She is in her bedding now sleeping, but her breathing is still very rapid. She is over a year old. What do you recommend I do to treat her?
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
November 27 11:52 AM (5 minutes and 31 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
If you scrubbed out the cage with a strong detergent and did not rinse well that could be the problem.
Try taking her out of the cage and seeing if being in an alternative container helps her breathing.
If you are using cedar bedding that could be the problem too as that can give off toxic fumes irritating the lungs.
She might just be starting with wet tail. I'd wipe off her anal area to get it clean with a damp paper towel. You can put a little vaseline on it for any irritation there.
You may want to warm her up - a light bulb near one end of the cage can do that.
But really what she needs is vet care - if you can keep her comfortable until you can see your vet then you might want to do that over paying emergency vet care costs on a small animal like this.


Please press Accept if you find my answer helpful. Want more info? Just reply on your question!
Bonuses for good work are always appreciated!
Thanks for the opportunity to help you!
Picture
NancyH -- Pet Health Care, Rescue,Train,Breed -- 99% Positive Feedback on 7069 Pet Accepts
30+yrs pet vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior & training, responsible breeding, small animal care
Reply
November 27 1:45 PM (1 hour and 52 minutes and 47 seconds later)
         
I just found my hamster dead. She looked fine except there was blood on her mouth and some pink liquid on her bedding under her mouth. Any idea what happened? Thank you
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
November 27 1:58 PM (13 minutes and 37 seconds later)
         
THIS ANSWER IS LOCKED!
You can view this answer by clicking here to Register or Login and paying $3.
Picture
NancyH -- Pet Health Care, Rescue,Train,Breed -- 99% Positive Feedback on 7069 Pet Accepts
30+yrs pet vet care & nursing, rescue, behavior & training, responsible breeding, small animal care
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the Just Answer service comes from those individuals, not from Just Answer!, and that Just Answer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on Just Answer! are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. Just Answer! is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

Just Answer! > Pet Health