How do you know if your hamster has an eye infection?
How do you know if your hamster has an eye infection?
Symptoms
- Watery eye discharge (oozing, dripping)
- Prolonged discharge may become more purulent (pus-like)
- Sticky eyelids due to dried up discharge.
- Swollen eye (or face in severe cases)
- Redness around the edge of the eyelids.
What causes conjunctivitis in hamsters?
Conjunctivitis can occur for a variety of reasons, some that you might not expect. Injuries or bite wounds can lead to pink eye, as can dental disorders like malocclusion, where your hamster’s teeth butt up against each other. Bacterial infections can also be to blame, as can irritation from your hamster’s bedding.
Why are my hamsters eyes crusted shut?
When hamsters sleep, their eyes secrete fluid to keep the eyeball moist. If this fluid drips out and dries around the eyelid, it can prevent the hamster from opening his eyes. This is common in all hamsters, especially older ones. Fortunately this usually isn’t a medical emergency, and you can treat it at home.
Why does my hamster have crusty eyes?
Sticky Eye is caused by the eye weeping when the animal sleeps, like human conjunctivitis. These secretions dry up and glue the eyelids together, so the hamster is unable to open one or both of its eyes when it wakes up.
Can hamsters get eye infections?
An infection is often also present which can cause heavy eye drainage as well as crusting around the eyelids. Trauma from the cage or another hamster, dental issues, and dirty environments can all cause a hamster to get conjunctivitis.
Do hamsters get eye infections?
How can you tell if a hamster is dehydrated?
One of the easiest ways to tell if your hamster is dehydrated is to do the ‘skin tent’ test. Using the thumb and index finger of one hand, gently pinch some skin at the base of your hamster’s neck to create a ‘tent’ of skin. Let go of the skin. If it stays up in a tent, then your hamster is dehydrated.
