Sick hamster

[lpn1993]

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed that my hamster was sleeping a lot more than usual and wasn't acting like his usual self, so I took him to the vet. (He's 6 months old.) The vet put him on Bactrim twice a day for 10 days. I gave him that and he still wasn't improving after a week, so she put him on Baytril. He takes it twice a day, and has been on it since Wednesday. I still don't see any improvement at all. He still sleeps almost all of the time. He's eating and drinking fairly well, and I'm giving him water by syringe to try to prevent dehydration.

I'm really puzzled and discouraged about why he's not improving, and I don't know what else to do. I'm so afraid I'm going to lose him. Can anyone offer any advice?

[Wolfchan]

:( I don't have any advice to offer, just well-wishes for the little fuzz.

[TiaMaria]

Well all i can say is..it sounds like he might be considering going into hibernation..keep it warmer in your house. If u really want to see him active buy some Spray Millet, available in most pet stores. Its kind of like caffine to us..works good, mine adore it.

[lpn1993]

Hibernation isn't the problem - it's been nice and warm in the house - up in the 70's. The vet said he has a respiratory infection, most likely pneumonia. He's been on antibiotics for 2 weeks without improvement. He's only awake for about an hour each day. When he walks he's weak and wobbly, and he gets short of breath. He keeps his ears folded back, and it's apparent that he doesn't feel well at all. I feel so sorry for him.

I've tried to make sure that he gets enough to eat and drink, and I keep his cage very clean. (I use aspen bedding for him.) I wonder what made him get sick, and why he isn't getting better. I've had several hamsters in the past, and I've never had one get sick like this. I sure hope he will recover, but I'm having my doubts. I'll call the vet back tomorrow and see if there's anything else that can be done for him.

[lpn1993]

Chrisartist,

Thanks for your reply. I agree that he's been on antibiotics an awfully long time. He started on the Bactrim, and after he didn't improve on that, he was started on Baytril. The vet didn't do a culture. She just listened to his chest and did a test on his stool, to make sure he didn't have parasites. She said that based on his symptoms, it was probably a respiratory infection. Maybe the infection has put a strain on his heart? He doesn't have any blue color - his nose and feet are pink. As a matter of fact, his nose is kind of red. I'll be calling the vets office back shortly, because he needs to be checked again, to see if he's having heart problems. Thank you for your input.

[lpn1993]

I took Peanut (my hamster) back to the vet this morning. The vet feels that overall his respiratory status is a little better, although he's still ill. She said his heart seems to be fine, and he doesn't look dehydrated. He's been having loose stools due to the antibiotic, and the vet said we need to get that under control. She said to start giving him some yogurt a couple of times a day, and that after a day or two we'll cut back the antiobiotic dosage to once per day. Also, she said I could give him some baby food to help build up his strength some. I'm starting the yogurt and baby food today, and hopefully he'll start to feel better soon.