Vet Hansel answers your questions about pet care in this weekly advice column, created in partnership with the Bahrain Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA). It will also be highlighting each week some of the animals in the BSPCA sanctuary, in the hope of finding each of them a loving home.
Question: My hamster, Hammy, has weeping eyes, a runny nose and seems to be sneezing / hiccupping. This has been going on for almost two days. Do I need to take her to a vet?
Answer: Yes, you need to take Hammy to see a vet. Small animals, such as hamsters, can escalate from being mildly sick to seriously ill very quickly so it is important to keep a close eye on your hamster’s health. By catching symptoms early, you will be able to help your pet live a long, healthy life.
It sounds like Hammy has a cold or flu but it is also possible that Hammy has an allergy. Some hamsters can be irritated by dusty wood shavings or strong smelling dyes in their bedding. A vet will be able to make a diagnosis and start her on a course of treatment, if necessary, or recommend care that you can give at home. If symptoms persist for longer than 48 hours with no signs of diminishing then this may indicate a bigger problem.
Hamsters are very susceptible to catching colds and flu and one thing that people don’t always realise is that if you are sick you can actually give your hamster a cold or even the flu. Humans can transmit viruses or germs to a hamster. It’s always best to wash your hands before and after handling a hamster. If you are very sick have someone else take care of the hamster’s food and water until you are fully recovered.
When your hamster recovers from a cold, change the cage bedding completely even if it’s clean. Also clean it out when you find out they have a cold.
In general, it is always advisable to check your hamster daily for any signs of ailment. A wet or runny nose is often the first symptom of a cold. Some species of hamsters are prone to an eye condition known as glaucoma and this will be noticeable as the eye will swell and fill with liquid. If a bluish circle is seen in the centre of the eye, it is possible that they have developed cataracts, which is very common in older hamsters.
Conjunctivitis is an inflammation of the eye or swelling of the face that may be the result of injury, overgrown or diseased teeth, or teeth that are not aligned properly. It may also be caused by a bacterial infection, irritation from dust in the bedding, or bite wounds. Your veterinarian will treat the conditions accordingly.
BSPCA’S DOG OF THE WEEK IS BRANDI
Breed: Saluki mix
Sex: Female
Age: Approximately two years
Neutered: Yes
Brandi is a very energetic and wonderfully smiley dog who beams with affection towards anyone she meets. She is full of vitality and has the ability to become your best friend in a matter of minutes. She came to us with three other mixed salukis which are all truly unique in their own right and would be just the company to have at home. Salukis are generally very gentle dogs and great around children. Brandi is neutered, tick treated and fully vaccinated.
BSPCA’S CAT OF THE WEEK IS GEORGIA
Breed: DLH: Female
Age: one year
Neutered: Yes
Georgia is a simple cat with few things that cross her mind each day, besides taking a nap. She is eager to greet people who show up at her pen while also allocating her time to get some rest. Her soft, grey coat is not too long that would create you trouble with brushings through the week. Gerogia is waiting for you at the BSPCA this weekend and we think you should check her out. Gerogia is neutered and fully vaccinated.
If you are interested in adopting Brandi, Georgia or any of the other cats, kittens, dogs and puppies, visit the Animal Welfare Centre in Askar. From the Alba roundabout, take the road sign-posted Askar and Durrat Al Bahrain and at the third signal, take a right on to the truck road and after nearly 800m you will see the shelter on the right side, just before the flyover. Or, log onto the website www.bspca.org for directions. The shelter is open from 9am to 5pm on Sundays to Thursdays, and 9am to 1pm on Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays. The shelter accepts animals 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dr Hansel Geo is a veterinary consultant and surgeon for the BSPCA and Charis Vets. Please send questions to bspca@batelco.com.bh