AboutSheila Adby Expertise Syrian hamsters are my specialty, however, I have kept Campbells,Winter Whites and gerbils in the past. I can advise on most subjects associated with hamsters, including housing, bedding, feeding, handling, new borns and catching escapees. I have had some experience of various health problems with hamsters and can offer my opinion and advice on basic health issues, however I am not a qualified vet and therefore cannot recommend drugs etc. My website is www.thehamstersite.com
Experience I have been keeping hamsters and other small animals for more than 12 years. My favourites are Syrian hamsters and I foster litters and 'difficult' hamsters for a rescue centre. My job is to tame hamsters ready for re-homing, which is extremely rewarding. I also enjoy looking after new litters and raising the pups. I have co-written a book on hamsters with my local vet and have a website: www.thehamstersite.com
Publications Hamsters in Sickness and in Health - Sheila Adby and Dan O'Neill ISBN186163218-5 (Capall Bann Publishing)
Education/Credentials Educated to A Level standard in the UK.
Question Hello. Traumatic event: Our robo escaped last night and ran over to our lab. Older dog, very gentle but all we saw was the hamster laying in front of him motionless. He was not moving so we put him in a plastic bag (kids were present, we were attempting to minimize the trauma). Essentially the bag began moving and the hamster seemed fine, although covered in slobber (was in the bag for maybe a minute). Cleaned him up best we could and put him back in his cage. We suspect the dog was licking him, not likely to try to eat him. Now my question, was he actually playing dead?! But I'm worried because today his little eyes are all swollen and he appears to have a bloody nose (little dried blood#. Note-his nose was NOT bloody last night and doesn't appear to be actively bleeding. No obvious signs other than the nose and eyes. Please help, have 3 babies very attached :# Thank you...
Answer Hi Hollie
I'm sorry to hear about your traumatic experience last night.
Whilst your dog probably wasn't intending your hamster any harm, these little creatures are quite delicate and perhaps some sort of trauma occurred that you aren't aware of. The 'playing dead' was probably shock or may be he was stunned in some way - may be your dog touched him with his paw. I used to have a Labrador/retriever and whilst he was quite gentle his paws were so huge that he was often quite clumsy. I just wonder if perhaps your dog touched the hamster with his paw initially to see what it was, which squashed him some how. Also, they have quite a lot of power in their lick especially for such a tiny hamster.
The bleeding nose and swollen eyes makes me think that he did suffer some sort of trauma to the head - I don't think there is any other explanation for this I'm afraid. Apart from this how is he? Does he appear to be back to normal in himself or is he quiet/dull clearly looking unwell?
If he looks unwell, and clearly isn't his usual self then I would advise getting him to a vet - although they may well advise euthanasia so you should prepare yourself for this. You would not gain anything from incurring huge vet bills on X-rays etc. (which a vet might suggest) as even if they found something wrong there is no way they would do anything about it. They might prescribe pain killers/anti inflammatories or eye drops if necessary.
If he looks OK in himself and seems fine apart from the swollen eyes, then I would be tempted to monitor him closely for the next day or two. Move his cage to a quiet location and avoid unnecessary handling so that he can recover. If he deteriorates in any way, (in his general behavior, or if his eyes are bleeding/show pus or the swelling doesn't go down, or if his nose continues to bleed etc) then a vet would be your best option. If you can it would be worth wiping his nose to clear away any of the dried blood.
Do you have 'rescue remedy' where you live? This is a Bach Flower remedy and is sold for human consumption and is usually available in health shops or chemists. If you can get a small bottle of this it might be worth putting a drop or two in his water, and also dropping some of the diluted mixture (it is very concentrated) into his mouth. I have used this on animals before and it can help with traumatic incidents. It is a natural remedy that somehow works on emotions and can be very beneficial to animals because they aren't skeptical like humans are.
I do hope you get on OK and your hamster recovers.
