Vet specialising in dwarf hamsters in Dublin?

C2

Hi all
have a 2 year old dwarf hamster with a small ulcer on his tummy. Does anyone know a vet in south Dublin/Wicklow who has an interest in these little guys? He's not sick in his behaviour but we're going away shortly for a couple of weeks and I want to make sure he's looked after first before giving him to his sitter! We live in booterstown but will drive wherever necessary.
Thanks
Clare

kazza90210

There is a vet(ark vetcare) on patricks street in dun laoghaire that has a vet who specialises in small animals otherwise the is one in bray(bray vet) as well

toadfly

Hi Clare,

just wondering how did you know it is an ulcer? We just got a dwarf hamster yesterday so still getting used to the little guy. So cute though!

Sigma Force

Bairbre O'Malley in Bray http://www.veterinary.ie/contact.htm

C2

Hi Tillygirl
we just noticed a small looking crater mid-abdomen that looks like a rodent ulcer you see on a cat. We're just guessing at this point to be honest but I'll let you know.
Congrats on your new purchase here are a few ideas if you haven't had a dwarf hamster before. We give our guy wine bottle corks (that looked intact and not crumbling) and he shifts them around his cage which is quite funny to see and I hope interesting for him. As for food our guy loves broccoli tops and the little peas in mange tout (you have to open them) also he goes crazy for unsalted cashew nuts and cheese but they're not too good for him so he only gets a tiny bit once or twice a week. He's made it to 2 and a half though so obviously they haven't shortened his life. We also have a big tree pot in garden with high sides and a tree in it (so he feels sheltered from preying animals) and we put him in it for digging every so often- he loves it and makes terrible mess but you can't leave him alone as large birds will go after him for snack!!
Hope some of this helps get you on the road-we learned by trial and error!
Clare

Interceptor

Is this what it looks like? He may have an infected scent gland which can be treated simply with antibiotics. Clean it with cool boiled water and cotton wool if you can, but otherwise any vet can prescribe an antibiotic (Baytril) for it.

'cptr

C2

Thanks 'cptr that's it exactly. I have some chloromycetin for adult eyes which I know is safe for hamsters do you think that would work?
Clare

Interceptor

I'm not a vet - if you bathe the scent gland with clean water for a few days it might clear up, sometimes they just become impacted and need a clean or a gentle squeeze.

If you have treated skin/eye conditions with the chloromycetin in the past then you could give it a try - I just keep Baytril because I have used it with hamsters, rats, mice and gerbils in the past.

Watch out for bites - they hate anyone messing with their glands...

'c

toadfly

Thanks for all the info clare. yes it is our first one, we have wanted one for ages and finally got one just over a week ago. We have actually just noticed he seems to have an infection in his left eye, will have to bring him to the vet. Anyone recommend one in galway that would have this experience?

You said you leave him in the garden, is he that tame that you can catch him? Our guy is just getting used to us now but we find it hard to catch him in his cage!

C2

Hi tilly,
sorry just saw your message now. No we don't generally let him run free in garden but occasionally he's allowed under supervision. I wouldn't recommend doing it until he's very familiar with you though. What we actually do is put him into a big shrub pot (make sure the soil is at least 5inches from top so he can't pull himself over it). Our pot is about 80cmx80cm, it has a small tree planted in it and grass- he just romps around in it digging holes; he seems pretty happy and we know he's in a confined space. We pop him into it a few times a week and let him get on with it!
As for Galway vet can't help there but bathing around his eye with cold tea is good and may help to clear up his infection though he may still need anti b's! Be careful with bedding too as could be cause of problem ESP if it's wood chip.
good luck
Clare

leonardo6

just incase you do still/ ever need a vet there is one in rathgar (014971441) im not sure if they specialise in dwarf hamsters but hes the vet that used to work for dublin zoo

C2

Hey thank you for that- have stored the no in my phone already! Clare