My hamster looks as though he has an eye discharge. What should I do?
The cause of the eye discharge needs to be identified and treated, as well as the eye infection, so you should take your hamster to the vet's.
An eye discharge or conjunctivitis can be due to:
- A respiratory infection
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- A foreign body, such as fine sawdust.
- Entropion, an inward turning of the eyelids that can be very painful
- Draughts
- Build up of ammonia from urine
Hamsters are also susceptible to drafts and sudden falls in external temperatures. They can contract common colds and influenza from humans, especially school children, and this infection can, unfortunately, lead to pneumonia.
You can also try delicately bathing any excess tears away from the skin around your pet's eye with a piece of cotton wool soaked in tepid, previously boiled, water. Throw the cotton wool away after using it once.
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