Have you lately observed your hammy bleeding from the nose? There is nothing to worry about unless it happens quite frequently. There are several reasons why a nosebleed can occur in hamsters. To resolve the same, it is important to know about the root cause of the problem. Most importantly, it is important to analyze that there is nothing serious about the condition and well-being of your beloved pet.
In case you are concerned that your pet is injured or sick, it is important to diagnose the problem. As you closely observe the behavior of your pet along with its physical appearance, you can start narrowing down the issues associated with your hamster.
What to Do if My Hamster’s Nose is Bleeding?
When you wish to ensure a relevant solution to the problem of nose bleeding in your hammy, you must look into the depth of the problem. Understand the aspect that caused the situation in the first place.
In most cases, you can observe a hamster bleeding from the nose in the following conditions:
- Your hamster fell or hurt himself or herself in some way
- If you happen to live in a drier area, if it is getting drier or colder outside, it is common for hamsters to bleed from the nose
- If there are two or more hamsters living together, they could end up hurting themselves
If there is a cut on the nose causing the bleeding, you should address it right away. After some minutes of you noticing the cut, if bleeding continues, then you should take quick action. You can make use of a clean paper tissue or towel for helping with stopping the flow. Hold the tissue or paper against the blood flow for some minutes. However, it is recommended to be gentle in the first place. In case your pet is fighting you over the same, try making use of a tiny bit of flour for helping with the bleeding. Allow it to sit on the wound for a while.
There are several more ways in which you can heal the wound causing the nose bleed. One of the best aspects is to allow it to heal on its own –especially if it is a minor one. Otherwise, if it is a major cut, then you should aim at cleaning the wound with a mild antiseptic. You can also consider using a tiny amount of Neosporin.
Some hammy owners make use of UMF Manuka Honey or Thyme Tea for cleaning the wounds on the nose. This is because these products are completely safe for the creatures. It is recommended to make use of Manuka Honey for the bleeding area because it will help in preventing the wound from scabbing. This is because scabs on the nose of the hamsters can easily open. The nose area remains moist in most cases.
If two or more hamsters in the cage are used to fighting and injuring each other, it is important to keep them separated. As hamster owners, you should note that you can only house dwarf hamsters together. The large-sized Syrian breeds of hamsters require space to themselves.
What does a Bleeding Nose Indicate?
The lining of the nose of a hamster features multiple nerve endings and blood vessels. These vessels are situated quite close to the surface of the skin. Therefore, it is quite common for them to get irritated. Some of the most common causes of a bleeding nose for your hammy could be:
- Nose picking
- Nasal membranes drying out –being more prone to infections and bleeding
- Rarely, a clotting or bleeding problem
- Falls or bumps
- An allergy causing coughing or hay fever
- On object getting pushed into the nostrils
Is Bleeding from the Nose Normal?
Occasional nosebleeds are quite common in hamsters and other rodents as well. One theory suggesting the same is that the body coagulation rates of rodents and hamsters are balanced in a manner to ensure that they consume a lot of vitamin K from the native wild diets.
As a pet owner, you can consider including parsley, spinach, or even dandelion leaves (from some clean source without featuring any pesticides or herbicides). Your hamsters are going to love it. Moreover, it will also offer protection against nosebleeds and strokes.
How to Know If Your Hamster is Infected?
In case hamsters will develop an infection, it could lead to the formation of abscesses. These can easily form on any part of the body –including the nose and mouth. The source of infection hamsters and rodents could be Staphylococcus or Streptococcus bacteria. Abscesses tend to be quite painful for your hammy. You will have to get the same drained and cleaned from a professional vet.
Some of the visual symptoms of the formation of abscess due to infection include swelling on the face or body of the hamster. It could be either hard or soft. The swelling can get filled with pus. Pus is usually formed by the immune system of the creature to fight the infection.
When Should I be Concerned About the Nosebleed of My Hamster?
It is quite rare, but some bleeding disorders can also lead to nosebleeds in hamsters. When you have a cute, little hammy with some bleeding disorder, its nosebleed might not clot properly. If it is difficult to stop or minimize bleeding, and you are observing bleeding from the gums as well, it is crucial to reach out to the local vet as soon as possible.
Conclusion
In case your beloved pet is acting abnormally or feeling lethargic, it is high time to consult your vet. Moreover, if you notice a nosebleed due to some reason, understand the problem and then, seek professional help. As a pet owner, it is your responsibility to ensure the overall health and well-being of your hamster. A happy hamster is a healthy hamster!
