What does it mean when a hamster has a swollen eye?

What does it mean when a hamster has a swollen eye?

Exophthalmos, Proptosis in Hamsters Also known as exophthalmos or proptosis, the bulging of one or both eyeballs from the socket is common in hamsters. Typically it occurs due to an infection of the eye or a trauma, though it may also happen if the hamster is restrained too tightly from the back of the neck.

Why is my hamsters cheek huge?

All hamsters have cheek pouches. These large pockets are evaginations of the oral mucosa and can stretch all the way back to a hamster’s shoulders. The primary purpose of the pouches is to carry food from place to place. It is normal for hamsters to carry their food around or back to their beds via their cheeks.

How do you treat a hamster abscess on the face?

The abscess may then need to be flushed with saline and antibacterial agents and antibiotics are typically prescribed for you to administer at home. The exact treatment may vary depending on the location and severity of the abscess.

How much can hamsters stuff in their cheeks?

Hamsters can stuff their cheeks with up to 20% of their body weight. Most of the time, they fill their cheeks with food, but sometimes mother hamsters store their babies in their cheeks for protection. Hamster cheeks contain pouches that resemble small deflated balloons.

Can a hamster recover from an abscess?

Skin abscesses removed surgically often heal better than those that are lanced, drained, and flushed. If the flank glands, which are found in males over the hip, are infected, your veterinarian may shave the area around them, clean them, and apply ointment with antibiotics and steroids.

Why does my hamster have a swollen cheek?

Because your hamster’s cheek pouches are so large, your hamster can stuff a lot of food into them and make them look swollen. If the swelling goes down after your hamster empties the pouch, then there is no abscess. If the swelling doesn’t go down, then your hamster likely has a cheek abscess. An abscess would make your hamster feel sick.

Why does my hamster have one eye bulging out?

How can you tell if a hamster has an eye infection?

A healthy hamster should have two bright and open eyes with no discharge. If your hamster is feeling ill, he may even eat and play less and also try to hide away. Common signs of an eye infection in hamsters include: The discharge usually starts quite watery but can then become slightly brown/red tinged or even yellow/green in colour.

What to do if a hamster has a tumour in his eye?

Sadly older hamsters do have a tendency to get tumours, but sometimes it’s a cyst that can be drained. you need to bathe the eye carefully using cotton wool and warm salty water. Be sure to be gentle and not to get the hamster too wet. If the eye does not heal in a few days please seek a vets advice as an antibiotic such as baytril may be required.

Why are hamsters eyes closed?

One reason your hamster’s eye may be watery or closed is that something is stuck in the eye . If this is the case, there won’t be any crust present holding the eye closed, so you can gently open your hamster’s eye and look. If there is dust or sand in the eye, you can use a Q-tip or similar, dipped in lukewarm water to gently remove the debris.

Do hamsters have eyelids?

Hamsters have just one set of eyelids – yes, hamsters have eyelids – which serve to clean their eyes when they blink, just like us humans. You might not have noticed their eyelids when looking at them, but hamsters have them.

What causes swelling in the lower eyelid?

Swollen eyelid causes. Inflammation (due to allergy, infection, or injury), infection and trauma can all cause swelling of the eyelids.