Effective Remedies for a Sick Hamster: How to Treat a C
The Causes and Symptoms of Hamster Cold:
Causes: Hamsters can catch a cold when the temperature drops suddenly, and their owners fail to provide adequate warmth. This can happen if they don't have extra blankets or more wood shavings in their cage to insulate against the chill. Additionally, a damp, unsanitary, and unheated living environment can also lead to a cold in hamsters, especially if they have a weak constitution. Lastly, our hamsters can catch a cold from us humans, just as we can catch it from them.
Symptoms: Initially, a hamster with a cold might exhibit symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and red eyes. As the cold progresses, the hamster may become listless, excessively sleepy, and may lose interest in playing with its wheel. They might also have watery eyes. In the later stages, a lack of appetite can lead to weight loss, and the hamster may even refuse to eat, showing signs of difficulty breathing and shivering. If the hamster feels cold, it will curl up in a corner of its cage, and when approached, it may move very slowly, as it tries to conserve heat to stay warm.
Moreover, if a hamster feels particularly cold, it may shrink into a ball in a corner of its cage. When the owner tries to engage with it, its movements will be particularly slow, as it seeks to retain body heat to combat the cold.
How to Treat a Hamster's Cold:
Should you have more than one hamster and one becomes ill, it's crucial to isolate the sick hamster immediately to prevent the spread of the cold. The cage and any items the sick hamster has touched, such as food bowls, should be disinfected to kill any germs.
If the hamster has only a mild cold and maintains its appetite and energy levels, focusing on keeping it warm should be sufficient to cure the cold naturally. However, if the hamster is showing signs of excessive sleepiness and listlessness, you can dissolve a few pieces of Platycodon grandiflorus in hot water, let it cool, and offer it to the hamster to drink. If the cold has advanced to the middle or late stages, or is severe, you may need to provide the hamster with nutritional supplements or antibiotics to ensure its body functions are maintained during periods of fasting. It's best to consult a veterinarian, though, as many antibiotics are not suitable for hamsters.
Remember: If you have a cold, it's best to keep your distance from your hamster to avoid transmission. Also, pay close attention to your hamster's health, and seek treatment promptly if you notice any abnormalities.
