Pink eye isn’t only for us humans—hamsters can be afflicted with pink eye, medically known as conjunctivitis, as well. As with humans, pink eye is not immediately life-threatening, but it should be treated as to avoid any additional complications. Here, a Cumberland County veterinarian tells you more about pink eye in hamsters.

Causes

Conjunctivitis can occur for a variety of reasons, some that you might not expect. Injuries or bite wounds can lead to pink eye, as can dental disorders like malocclusion, where your hamster’s teeth butt up against each other. Bacterial infections can also be to blame, as can irritation from your hamster’s bedding. Your Cumberland County veterinarian will be able to tell you a likely cause of pink eye in your pet and how to avoid it next time.

Symptoms

The signature redness around the edges of the eyelids is the most common symptom. This is due to inflammation of the eye’s outermost layer. Other symptoms include excessive watery eye discharge, sticky eyelids, or swelling of the eye area. Call your Cumberland County vet if you notice these symptoms in your hamster.

Treatment

Take your hamster to your Cumberland County veterinarian if you think he or she may have pink eye. Your vet will examine the pet and may need to take blood tests to confirm the presence of conjunctivitis. Antibiotics and eye drops are the most common treatment for pink eye—your Cumberland County vet will inform you of the treatment schedule and how to go about administering eye drops to your hamster. Do your best to avoid pink eye by cleaning and sanitizing your hamster’s cage regularly. In addition, if you and your Cumberland County veterinarian determine that irritation from the bedding is the probable cause, you’ll need to choose a new bedding type or brand. Your vet can help you by giving you a recommendation.