Ok, I've had him (Buddha) for just over two weeks. He's a Black bear (male, obviously), and has been quite healthy. However, I just discovered him in obvious distress, with his cheek pouches completely filled with air, which were forcing his eyes to puff out. I thought it was just food, but I squeezed them, and all of the air puffed out. The pouches refilled with air in the literally seconds. He is making rasping noises when he breathes. Other than that, he's walking fine and is active. I really have no idea what to do, and am attempting to find a vet that is open around here. Any help?
Answers:
I've never seen this with having raised and rescued over 60 hamster in the last 2 years. Please consult with a vet on this. The breathing could be associated with the pouches or may be a respiratory infection or allergies. What kind of litter do you use, it makes a big difference here. Using cedar or pine causes toxic fumes to occur when a small animal urinates in turn can cause a respiratory infection. Pine and aspen cause allergies in small animals. Allergy symptoms can be runny eyes or nose, sneezing, wheezing and even hair loss on the belly (and other areas). Signs of a respiratory infection are wheezing, sneezing and a cough sometimes. To be sure what's going on, take the hamster to the vet to be checked, he may be neding antibiotics or something for an allergy. To avoid any allergy problems use only a paper product litter like Care Fresh or Critter Care. These are the 2 brands we use for our small animal rescue and our own small animals.
I hope you find a vet soon.
When the hamster returns to her home she empties her pouches by stroking her paws along her cheeks. The cheek pouches are also a defense technique when a hamster feels threatened she puffs up her pouches to make herself appear larger.
I know nothing of hamsters, but to be sure get Buddha to the vet. It could turn out to be nothing, but as you say he's in obvious distress. Get him checked out as soon as possible by a vet. Good luck.
I have had my syrian hamster a year and he has never done that, so the only answer is to get him to the vets, I really hope he's ok. If he is making rasping noises he could have problems with his lungs, or maybe an infection. He could be really distressed over this so try and get him help as soon as possible.
The chheek pouches are just a type of defense to scare off pretadors, there is no need to bring him to a vet unless he has breathing problems or somthing.
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