Hamster Health Check (Part VI)

Hamster Health Check

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Hamster Health Check (Part VI)

·                     Health Care

·                     UPDATE: Hamster Vital Signs

o                  Hamster Hematology 

·                     The weekly health check

1.                  General

1.                  Hamster Skeleton

2.                  Mouth and nose

3.                  Eyes

4.                  Cheeks

5.                  Fur

6.                  Nails

·                     *Grooming

·                     SPECIAL: Hamster Anatomy

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Health care

With proper care and diet, hamsters tend to be healthy animals. The most common health problem is called “wet tail” and appears as foul smelling diarrhea. It is usually related to the stress of moving to a new home or a sudden change in diet. Preventative medication is available and can also be used to treat it should it occur. It is best to pick up a small amount of food the hamster has been used to and mix it with any new food being introduced. Do not offer your hamster fresh veggies or fruit for about a week and then do so gradually and in small amounts. (6)

CHECK FOR YOUR NORMAL HAMSTER VITAL SIGNS (23):

Adult body weight: 95 - 150g (female); 85 - 130g (male)

Life span: 1.5 - 2 years

Respiratory rate: 35 - 135 breaths/minute

Heart rate: 250 - 500 beats/minute

Normal average rectal temperature: 102ºF

Hamster Hematology (24):

RBC 7,500,000/mm

WBC 7,600/mm

Segmented Neutrophils 21.9%

Non-segmented Neutrophils 8.0%

Lymphocytes 73.5%

Monocytes 2.5%

Eosinophils 1.1%

Basophils 1.1%

The weekly health check

Get into the habit of examining your pet carefully every week. It’s a good idea to weigh him too. Make this a regular thing and you’ll bond better with your pets. And you’ll catch any problems early – your Syrian hamster is nocturnal, so health issues might not be so easy to spot. (3)

General

Check that your Syrian hamster’s behaviour is normal – active and playful in the evening. Gauge how they walk, looking for limping, or signs of pain. A sick pet will be irritable and may bite more frequently. (3)

Hamster Skeleton (25)

Mouth and nose

The nose should be clean and dry – sneezing and runny nose are signs of cold or fl u. Check to ensure that your

pet’s teeth haven’t grown too long. See whether they’re misaligned or
chipped. Losing weight and loss

of appetite could be a sign of dental problems.(3)

Eyes

They should be bright, and not runny or watery – this could be a sign of an allergy or a cold.(3)

Finally, it is worth remembering that hamsters are short sighted, especially those with pink eyes, so keep a close eye on yours if let out of the cage. (12)

Cheeks

Check for lumps in the cheeks which may feel like an abscess. It is likely to be an impacted cheek pouch. The lump may be so large it may force the eye to close. The pouch will need to be emptied and rinsed, which can only be done by a vet.(3)

Fur

Check for patches of hair loss, which could be the result of rubbing against the cage or fur chewing. This can be a sign of boredom or the result of abrasive bedding. (3)

Hair loss is also linked to protein deficiency. Check for signs of itching combined with any hair loss – this could be a symptom of parasites or ringworm.(3)

Nails

Like their teeth, a Syrian hamster’s nails grow continuously. Playing with wooden toys will keep them

short, but check to make sure they’re not overgrown. If they are, your vet will clip them safely.(3)

*Grooming

Regular grooming helps to strengthen the bond between you and your pet and can highlight health problems too. Groom your hamster once a week or daily if it has long hair to keep its skin and coat healthy. (8)

SPECIAL: HAMSTER ANATOMY (26)

Know your hamsters' anatomy and have the necessary interventions to take care of them better.

Hamsters' Cervical Region Schematic Drawing / Diagram

Hamsters' Cervicothoracic Region Schematic Drawin

Schematic drawing of the head of hamsters

Schematic drawing of the lymph nodes of hamsters' body

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