Before you run to the veterinarian, you need to try to figure out why your pet is lying motionless. Pay attention to other signs: whether the eyes are closed, how often the rodent breathes. If the eyelids are closed and breathing is calm, the hamster may simply be fast asleep.
Reasons for circling in hamsters
Circling in hamsters occurs when the hamster tilts its head. A drooping head is usually the result of an inner ear infection caused by bacteria, but there are other causes.
An inner ear infection causes bacteria from a dirty environment or respiratory infection to enter the ear canal. The pressure that an infection causes inside the ear canal can cause your hamster to lose balance and feel pain. This causes the hamster to spin around when walking, and some hamsters may even fall.
Neurological problems due to injury or brain disease such as epilepsy can also cause circling in hamsters. These problems are not as common as a bacterial ear infection, but are still possible causes of this behavior.
Steps
How to tell if your hamster is hibernating
- Think about how unexpected this happened.
Has your hamster been feeling unwell lately? Maybe he has lost his appetite or started drinking more than usual? Have you noticed that your hamster's stool has changed? What weight did he lose? That he became less mobile and stopped running in a wheel? If you've noticed these signs frequently lately, the cause of immobility is most likely death.
- But if recently the hamster was completely healthy, but suddenly became completely motionless, most likely the hamster is simply hibernating.
How old is your pet? The average lifespan of rodents is 18-24 months; very few hamsters live beyond 36 months. If the hamster is already old, the risk of it dying increases.
Pay attention to the ambient temperature.
Hamster hibernation largely depends on temperature. If the air temperature in the room is above 20 degrees Celsius, then hibernation is unlikely to be the cause of immobility. If the room is hot, pay attention to whether the hamster's cage is located near the air conditioner. Air conditioners make the room very cold, which can cause the hamster to hibernate. Therefore, even in a stuffy room, there is a chance that your hamster is simply fast asleep.
Think about whether the hamster has enough food and whether he has enough light.
Hamsters hibernate during difficult times when there are not enough resources to survive. This is usually due to harsh winters, low temperatures, short days and lack of food.
How to tell if your hamster is hibernating
- Watch your hamster carefully for a while and try to see whether he is breathing or not.
If possible, get close to it and look at it for a few minutes. Remember that the hamster's entire body has gone into hibernation and slowed down, so breathing may be almost unnoticeable.
- Observe the hamster for more than two minutes. In 2 minutes you may not notice signs of life and not see if the hamster is breathing. Then you may mistakenly think that the hamster is dead.
If you can't see if your hamster is breathing, try feeling its heartbeat. It may slow down significantly, but will still be present. A hibernating hamster can feel as few as four beats per minute, or one beat every 15 seconds.
- It will be difficult for you to feel the heart of a hamster due to the small size of the animal. To do this, place the thumb and index finger of one hand on either side of the hamster's chest (behind the elbows). Apply a little pressure, but not too much. Wait a little. After some time, you may feel a slight tremor at your fingertips.
Don't worry if your hamster suddenly seems cold to you. This doesn't mean he's dead. During hibernation, all processes in the body slow down and body temperature decreases.
How to wake a hamster from hibernation
- To awaken your hamster from hibernation, take him to a room where the air temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius. After 2-3 days the hamster should wake up on its own.
- If your hamster hasn't woken up after 2-3 days, look to see if it shows any signs of death, such as a foul odor or rigor mortis. If your hamster is hibernating, it will smell as usual.
Experts recommend this method of awakening because it is closest to natural conditions; the body gradually awakens itself. Therefore, the risk of any violations due to a “quick reboot” of the body is sharply reduced.
- Fill your hamster's feeder and water bowl with food and water in advance.
“Syrian hamsters may hibernate when the ambient temperature drops sharply, when the animals are experiencing a lack of water, etc. A hibernating hamster may feel hard and cold to the touch, with very little breathing. Careful observation of such a hamster will show that its chest continues to move at certain intervals. If the hamster has not prepared for winter, and hibernation occurs unexpectedly, the animal must be awakened to avoid dehydration and starvation. The hamster needs to be placed in a warm place, or the temperature in the room in which the cage is located should be increased. The hamster should not be placed near open fires, heaters or radiators. With gradual awakening, the hamster will begin to move and tremble, its body temperature will gradually increase, and its breathing rate will increase. Full awakening from hibernation usually occurs within 30-60 minutes.” (With)
“Hamsters do not hibernate, but when the ambient temperature drops to 10 degrees they can fall into torpor. A hamster can be brought out of such a stupor by warming it in the palms of your hands.” (With)
“Many animals hibernate during the winter to survive harsh living conditions such as cold and lack of food. During hibernation, the animal's metabolism decreases significantly, resulting in energy savings. Breathing and blood circulation slow down, body temperature decreases. For example, the body temperature of marmots drops so much that it exceeds the ambient temperature by only 3°C. If the temperature in their burrow is 8°C above zero, then their body temperature is about 11°C! But Djungarian hamsters follow a different strategy to survive the cold winter in their homeland. They do not hibernate, but remain active throughout the winter. However, in order to save maximum energy, during rest they fall into so-called torpor. Torpor refers to a physiological state that occurs in some small mammals. During torpor, metabolism drops to a minimum, so that all body functions are simultaneously maintained on a “low flame.” As a result of this, the animals become completely inactive and remain in a state of bodily rigor. There are practically no reactions to external stimuli in this state. Unlike hibernation, torpor does not occur at a certain time of the year, but at a certain time of day. Thus, sleepy torpor is much shorter than hibernation and lasts several hours during the day when the animal is inactive. The fact that Djungarian hamsters can fall into torpor during inactivity in winter was revealed as a result of laboratory studies. The change between the active phase and the torpor phase occurs in a cycle that repeats every day. This cycle begins approximately 30-60 minutes before sunrise, when numbness sets in, which begins with a drop in body temperature. The animal remains in winter rigor for approximately 4-9 hours. At the end of the torpor phase, the body temperature of the Djungarian hamster drops to approximately 20°C. Moreover, unlike hibernation, body temperature does not depend on the ambient temperature. Thus, there is no difference whether the Djungarian hamster’s ambient temperature is 5°C or 15°C; in both cases, the animal’s body temperature will not fall below 20°C. At the end of torpor, the animals slowly wake up and remain active the rest of the day, spending most of the time searching for food. When morning twilight sets in, Djungarian hamsters again fall into torpor, and a new cycle begins.”
Hamsters make great pets. Very smart, clean and cute little animals. Unfortunately, they, like others, are susceptible to the disease. Due to their small size, diseases pose a particular danger to them. Very often, owners are faced with incomprehensible behavior of the animal. Often there is only one conclusion - the hamster is sick. Probably, every owner should know approximately the diseases that threaten the animal and their symptoms.
The most common are allergies and pneumonia. For these diseases, the hamster's mouth
is constantly in the open position. There is also heavy breathing.
Allergies are not only manifested by heavy breathing. It is accompanied by sneezing. It develops due to irritants that surround the hamster. This could be food, sawdust, or detergents that you use to clean the cage. To get rid of allergies, it is enough to simply protect your pet from the irritant. Remember what changes in nutrition, cleaning or bedding have occurred recently. Eliminate them and the allergy will quickly stop.
It's another matter if your hamster breathes through his mouth.
due to pneumonia. This disease is much more dangerous than allergies. Symptoms include heavy breathing, sneezing, apathy and lethargy. The animal immediately changes in behavior. Does not show active behavior and loses appetite. In this case, you must definitely consult a doctor. Such diseases cannot be treated at home. If you do not want to allow your pet to die, you should contact a veterinary clinic.
A disease such as pneumonia is also quite common. The symptoms are the same as for pneumonia. This disease also poses a great threat to the life of your baby.
In such cases, you should never delay treatment. Hamsters die from pneumonia quite often.
To get quick and high-quality help, you can not just go to a veterinary clinic, but also call a specialist at home. This makes it possible to help your animal as quickly as possible.
A qualified veterinarian provides quality medical care and advice. Don't forget about the health of your pets.
Diagnosis of the cause of the cycle in hamsters
Although hamsters circling may be an obvious behavior to observe, it may be necessary to perform some tests in order to know exactly what is causing it.
Since the most likely cause of circling is an ear infection, debris from your hamster's ear can be examined under a microscope. This will check whether bacteria caused by the infection is present and, if so, an ear infection will be diagnosed.
Neurological problems are more difficult to diagnose. If your hamster has recently been injured before circling, it may mean he has suffered a head injury. Falling, being grabbed by a dog, or colliding with a door or piece of furniture are all types of injuries that can cause a head injury.
Seizures are a symptom that overlaps with epilepsy, another neurological problem. There is no test for epilepsy. In these cases, constant close monitoring may be required and the veterinarian will be able to video record any unusual behavior.
Video "Falling Hamster"
In this video, a rodent comically climbs and falls on its back.
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Treatment of circling in hamsters
Constant or severe circling in hamsters always merits a visit to the veterinarian.
If the behavior is caused by an ear infection, hamster-safe antibiotics will need to be prescribed as treatment. Without them, your hamster's ear may be permanently damaged and the circling may never stop. Infections can also lead to more serious complications, which in extreme cases can be life-threatening. Treatment of the infection may require oral antibiotics and sometimes pain medications. If debris is visible from the ears, gentle cleaning may also be helpful.
If the circling is not due to an ear infection, it may be more difficult to treat. Brain damage from seizures or head trauma may be permanent. Some circling will resolve on its own over time, but in some hamsters the circling may be permanent. If the circling is so bad that it is affecting your hamster's quality of life and he is unable to eat, then euthanasia can be discussed.
Other diseases
Pets do not get sick very often if they are properly cared for in a timely manner and fed a balanced diet, with the exception of congenital pathologies. In addition to a specific disease characteristic of animals - inflammation of the cheek pouch, they are also affected by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. As a result, the animal becomes inactive and refuses food and drink. If you do not pay attention to the unnatural behavior of your ward and do not provide timely medical assistance, the pet may die.
Did you know? Golden Syrian hamsters have four toes on their front feet and five
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on the rear.
For example, as a result of a blow or a fall from a height, difficulty breathing, twisting of the head and refusal to eat may occur. In this case, it is advisable to contact a ratologist. If the hamster is already at an “advanced age,” then it can become severely paralyzed. On average, the lifespan of these rodents is 1.5–2 years. Some live up to three years.
Pneumonia
The development of the disease is possible when the animal’s immune defense is weakened due to a deficiency of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids in the feed.
The causes of such a serious disease may be:
- prolonged hypothermia as a result of a draft or low temperature combined with high humidity in the room where the animal lives;
- virus;
- chronic otitis, in which the animal shakes its head, and wax accumulates in the auricle, a crust forms and an unpleasant odor emanates;
- hypo-or vitamin deficiency as a result of an unbalanced diet;
- ophthalmological diseases.
Did you know? Fluffy pets cannot boast of good eyesight - they are nearsighted and trust their sense of smell more; moreover, they do not distinguish colors, that is, they are color blind.
Symptoms indicating the development of pneumonia include:
- rapid breathing, accompanied by sniffling, wheezing, gurgling in the lungs;
- profuse mucopurulent discharge from the nose and eyes;
- lethargic state;
- coughing attacks, shortness of breath;
- pallor of the mucous membranes;
- the animal stops eating;
- the animal freezes in one place, without moving, because he is choking.
Pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. The drug Baytril, 2.5%, is suitable for small rodents. A dose of 0.4 ml is calculated for an animal weighing 1 kg. The average weight of a Djungarian hamster is 50 g. Therefore, a dose of 0.01 ml will be sufficient for him.
The injection is given under the skin daily for two weeks. Additionally, sulfonamide drugs are used, which have an antimicrobial effect. If treatment is carried out in a timely manner, the hamster will fully recover.
Poisoning
Symptoms of the pathological condition include:
- bowel dysfunction;
- rumbling in the stomach;
- loss of appetite;
- lethargy.
The best option would be to consult a specialist to find out the cause of the digestive process disorder, determine the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment. These symptoms accompany not only poisoning, but also gastrointestinal diseases, food allergies, and enteritis.
Important! Dehydration, which is the result of severe diarrhea or elevated body temperature, can cause lethargy, weakness, exhaustion, slow breathing of the animal and very rapid death.
Factors that can provoke this condition in a patient include:
- violation of feeding regime;
- the use of a diet of poor quality or poor in nutrient ratios;
- the effect of various toxins on the rodent’s body.
If there is a suspicion that the baby has eaten low-quality food, it is advisable to give him half a tablet of activated carbon and fill the drinking bowl with fresh water. You can use Enterosgel - it helps remove toxic substances. To restore the acid-base balance, use "Regidron". After providing first aid, it is advisable to show the hamster to a veterinarian.
Diarrhea in a rodent can be triggered by a sudden change in diet or too large a dose of fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs. Very soft or runny stools will leave your pet's fur in the anus area wet or dirty. With severe diarrhea, there is a risk of dehydration, so it is advisable to force water on your pet.
Find out what diseases hamsters have.
Vegetables, fruits, and greens should be excluded from the diet and the pet should be switched to dry food. Feed your hamster raspberry leaves and rice water - these foods will help hold the stool together. If after 2 days the diarrhea has not stopped, take your ward to the veterinarian - perhaps the digestive upset was caused by other reasons. After bowel movements are restored, gradually introduce small doses of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet.
Tumors, metastases
Animals are often diagnosed with pathological formations on the body, limbs, and ears. The reasons for their development are different. For example, a lump appears as a result of an injury, a severe bruise when falling from a height. Treatment begins with a diagnosis by a physician-ratologist.
If a benign or malignant tumor is detected, surgery is prescribed. If the tumor is located in a hard-to-reach place, for example, in the oral cavity, or metastases are found in other organs, veterinarians advise euthanasia, because Treatment methods do not give the desired results.
How to prevent hamsters from circling
Hamsters are small pets that love to hide. It can be difficult to notice when they are acting a little strange in their cages, but regularly observing your hamster's normal activities can help spot the beginning of a problem. This, along with regular cage cleaning and washing cage supplies, can help prevent ear infections that cause circling.
To avoid head injuries that could lead to dizziness, only allow children to handle the hamster when they are sitting on the ground. This will reduce the chance of your hamster falling and getting injured. When your child is finished holding the hamster, either place the cage on the floor to put them back in, or carefully take the hamster from your child so you can carefully place it back in the cage yourself.
Keep your hamster safe if you have dogs or cats in the house when they are out of their cage, and make sure their cage is secure and locked at all times.
Accidents can happen, but they are much less likely if you pay close attention and take extra precautions.
Why is the hamster shaking, breathing rapidly and becoming lethargic?
In addition to the reasons listed, trembling, rapid breathing and lethargy in a hamster can occur in the following cases:
- Shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, or trembling may be a sign of anxiety.
- Problems with the nervous system and mild excitability can cause trembling when you sharply touch or pick up an animal. Overstimulation of the system causes unusual muscle movements and thus tremors in the body. Try to handle a nervous pet delicately so as not to scare it. Hamsters are usually afraid of sudden noise, changes in their usual environment, sudden movements, and other animals near their home. But in such cases, the trembling is not continuous and stops after some time.
- Medical conditions such as diabetes, stroke, heart failure, skin parasites, heat stroke, and poisoning can cause trembling, lethargy, and shortness of breath. Shaking is a common sign of a health problem in hamsters.
- If your hamster has a stroke, he will appear dizzy, oscillate back and forth even while sitting, and shake. A stroke can have mild or severe course and consequences, but they can go away over time.
- Age-related changes in an animal can also cause trembling and lethargy. Older hamsters (over 1.5 years old) are more likely to have strokes.
