Sick Hamster - Signs and Treatment of Common Cold in a Hamster

Sneezing and sniffling is typically going to be some sort of respiratory condition. Most people would assume those are symptoms of an upper respiratory infection, but it could be a common cold or even pneumonia.

Most mammals can develop a cold, hamsters included, so if you're not careful during the winter months, you may have to worry about getting sick yourself, and your hamster getting sick.

Like a human cold, one in a hamster is contagious. You hamster can catch a cold from you. If you're sick, you want to make sure that you take your medications so that you can heal, but while you're battling a cold, it's best to stay distant from your hamster so that he doesn't get sick too..

Other causes of your hamster catching a cold can include:

• If the cage is in a cold or drafty room
• If you give your hamster a bath and you don't dry him fully
• If your hamster likes to sleep underneath his water bottle.
• If you don't use a water bottle, and your hamster drinks from a water bowl, this can be a cause as well, as the hamster may spill the water.
  

Although the signs may vary hamster to hamster, and the degree of the symptom may vary, but your hamster may experience one or more of the following signs if he has a cold.

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Sniffling
• Half closed, watery eyes
• Warm body temperature
  
• Thirst
• Ears laid back
• Lack of activity
• Fatigue
• Discharge both from the eyes and the nose
• Matted or ungroomed fur
• Curled in a ball, most often in the corner of the cage

If your hamster has a severe cold that has gone unnoticed for a while, you may see the following signs:

• Lethargy
• Noticeable sneezing and sniffling
• Refusing to eat or drink
• Shivering
  
• Weight loss
• Very matted and unkept fur
  

If you think that your hamster has a cold, you want to get him treated as soon as possible, as a common cold can develop into pneumonia or even bronchitis, which are not nearly as easy to treat than a cold. A vet can best diagnose and treat your hamster, so if you think that your hamster has a cold, then seek veterinary assistance. Most vets will prescribe an antibiotic to help aid the symptoms of the cold, but like in people there's no cure for the common cold.

You will also want to try some of the following suggestions to help your hamster overcome his cold.

• Keep the hamster warm. You may want to consider putting a heating pad under the enclosure. It's best to find one that is chew proof in case your hamster gets a spurt of energy and is able to get to the cord or pad.
• Make sure that the hamster's cage is in a warm, dry, and drought free area.
• Disinfect the cage, water bottle, food dish, and any toys in the cage.
• Change the bedding to new, clean bedding.
• Consider preparing warm milk, water, and a teaspoon honey and getting your hamster to drink it. If he won't drink from the bottle, get a small syringe or eye dropper and drop a few drops in his mouth. You want to try this for a few days.
• Set up a Vicks humidifier in the room with the hamster. You want it out of reach of the hamster, but you want it close enough so that the hamster can breath in the Vicks. This will help your hamster breath and it'll help aid any congestion.
  

Vicks placed out of reach of the ill hamster but close enough to inhale will assist breathing and can help alleviate some congestion.

If your hamster has a severe cold, it is essential that you go see a vet for antibiotics.

If you're sick, take your medications and avoid close contact with your hamster until you are better.

Avoid putting your hamster's cage in a cold room, or one that is drafty or has a lot of moisture in the air. For example, it's probably not the best idea to put your hamster's cage in an unfinished basement.

Avoid putting the cage near a window or door. In most cases, it's recommended that you don't even put the cage on an exterior wall.

And, when it comes to bathing, it really not a good idea. Hamsters don't need to get baths. They are pretty good at keeping themselves clean.

Disclaimer: Please be aware that the advice in this article should in no way replace that of a licensed veterinarian. The methods outlined above may or may not work for your pet. If you have any concerns, you should consult a specialized reptile veterinarian.