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 my baby hamster is 5 weeks old. for the past week it cannot keep its balance at all and just keeps falling over. it is a lot smaller than his siblings. at first thought it was a broken limb but no matter what limb he stands on he just falls and he isn't getting better. he doesn't seem to be growing at all
Answer Hi Nicola
I'm really sorry to hear about your hamster. It is difficult to know what is wrong, but it sounds as though it is neurological in some way, or perhaps an ear problem which is affecting its balance If it is neurological then I think there is probably very little that can be done - if it is an ear infection of some sort then perhaps antibiotics might do the trick. I think that this hamster really needs to see a vet in order to stand any chance.
I have a tiny hamster at the moment too - she never grew to the full size. Sometimes the runt in a litter is very strong and is a real fighter, but other times because of their tiny size you know that they didn't develop properly in the womb or didn't get enough nourishment. My baby hamster has now gone blind and she is having problems with her back legs and I can only assume she was deprived of something during the important stages as a baby. It could be that something like this has happened to your hamster.
Do you have a local vet that you know? If not it would be worth phoning a few to see if any specialise in small animals and also confirm what their rates are so that you don't end up with any nasty surprises when you are presented with the bill.
