Emma Jones
If your hamster is sick, you should take him to a veterinarian as soon as possible. The disease can quickly deteriorate, especially in small animals.
Do not try your own treatment or natural healing methods on your little rodent without first asking the vet for advice. You can use the yellow pages and telephone directory to find out where a veterinarian who specializes in small animals is located near you. If you’re not sure, don’t hesitate to call the doctor’s office and ask if the doctor has treated hamsters before. He may know a specialist and refer you to them. Once you have found a veterinarian, it is best to make an appointment for the late afternoon. The trip to the vet is stressful enough for the hamster. If he has to be woken up to do this, that is unnecessary stress for the little one.
Preparation of the transport box
A rodent box pays off for transport to the vet. You can buy these at any pet store. It should have a minimum length of 25 centimeters and be closed with a cover or a door. It is best to fill the transport box with some bedding from the cage. So the little rodent has the usual smell around him. Since hamsters naturally feel comfortable and safe in dark caves, it is advisable to design the transport box accordingly. Create darkened retreats. You can also put a sleeping hut inside if it has a hinged top or no bottom. Otherwise, the vet may have difficulty getting to the hamster. Wooden or cardboard rolls are not suitable as a retreat as they could roll during transport. Put a piece of carrot or apple inside your hamster. It satisfies hunger and thirst. You can darken the transport box with a cloth, so the little rodent is additionally protected against draughts. You should not take the little one out in the waiting room. Her lap doesn’t seem any safer to the already stressed hamster than his cave.
The trip to the vet
If you drive to the vet by car, never put the transport box in the trunk. In summer, the temperature there can get so high that the little rodent gets heat shock. Hamsters don’t have sweat glands, so it’s difficult for them to regulate their body temperature. In addition, the transport box can slide back and forth there and maybe even tip over. It is best to take the rodent box on your lap, or if you drive yourself, then attach the box to a car seat. Do not open the window while driving. Drafts can harm the hamster. It is ideal if your car has air conditioning. Because in summer and winter, extreme temperatures can affect the small rodent.
The vet visit
If you are new to the vet or are not sure how good he is with hamsters, watch him at work. The doctor should be able to clearly explain his treatment methods and the associated risks. If the vet has given you instructions for treatment at home, then you should stick to them. If something is unclear to you, if you have not understood something correctly or if you have forgotten something, then do not hesitate to ask again; possibly also by phone. For example, if a treatment regimen conflicts with your work hours, or if you know there will be problems due to your hamster’s idiosyncrasies, tell your vet right away. Therapy carried out half-heartedly rarely brings anything – least of all for your sick hamster.
Peculiarities of operations
Unlike cats or dogs, small pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, and mice or rats should never be operated on sober. Always provide these animals with fresh water and food until the surgery date. Warmth is particularly important for the little ones after the operation because they cool down easily when they sleep after the anesthetic. Wrap the little patient in a towel – the head should of course remain uncovered – and place him under an infrared lamp. But regularly check the temperature under the lamp with the back of your hand so that the pet doesn’t get too hot. In the first few days after the operation, the patient should be kept separate from the other animals, not on litter, but on lint-free hand towels or paper kitchen towels. Because litter could impale itself in the wound and cause infections. Otherwise the same applies to large pets.