Accepted Answer

Hello,

It sounds like your hamster has a respiratory infection, similar to colds or the flu. It may have progressed to pneumonia. These illnesses are more serious in hamsters than in people because they can rapidly lead to complications and death in hamsters.

Keeping your hamster warm and trying to give him food and water is a good start, but the best thing you can do is make an appointment with a vet. That way, you'll get a definite diagnosis and proper treatment. To read more about colds and flu in hamsters, check these links:

http://www.hamsterific.com/IllnessGuide.cfm#Colds

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Park/5295/hamdis.html#comd

In the meantime, you can buy a jar of Vicks (at a drug store or discount store). Open the jar and set it where the vapors will go into the hamster cage. Be sure to put it where the hamster, children, and other pets can't get to it. It is okay to put a tiny smear of Vicks on the hamster's chest; keep it very thin. You can also make a mixture of half milk, half water, and a little honey. Warm it a bit, and feed it to your hamster. If he won't drink it, you can put a little at a time into the side of his mouth through a syringe. Don't put it straight down his throat because it can be aspirated into the lungs that way. If you have a vaporizer or nebulizer, you can use that in his room to make it easier for him to breathe. You can give him unflavored Pedialyte through a syringe, too. Just give a few drops at a time. These are all supportive measures, and don't take the place of a visit to a vet.

If there are no vets in your area who will treat hamsters, you can try medicating your hamster at home. Some hamster owners have had good results with ornycycline. You can find this antibiotic in the bird section of a pet store. It's mixed with water. Use the dosing instructions on the package for a canary or "small bird." Give it to him from a small syringe or eye dropper. I don't recommend this if you can find a vet, but it's better than nothing. The antibiotics you can get from a vet are much more effective.

If you have more questions, just let me know by clicking on REPLY. I hope your hamster recovers quickly.

Anna

(If you find my answer helpful, please click on ACCEPT. Thank you.)

Expert:	Anna
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:	2022
Answered:	4/11/2008

Pet Expert/Biologist

40 yrs.: herps, pocket pets, rabbits, poultry, dogs, horses. Biology degree. Volunteer vet assistant