Hamsters And Strokes: What You Need To Know

Dwarf hamsters, like all hamsters, are susceptible to strokes. While it is a less common condition, it is important for owners to be aware of the signs and symptoms to ensure their tiny pet receives timely veterinary attention. Hamsters can and do recover from strokes, but the road to recovery is challenging and requires dedicated care from their owners.

What are the signs a dwarf hamster is having a stroke?

Dwarf hamsters, like all hamsters, can experience strokes. While strokes are not common among hamsters, they do occur, and the likelihood of a hamster experiencing a stroke increases as it gets older. Before a stroke, hamsters may exhibit extreme exhaustion and collapse after periods of activity. They may also enter a trance-like state, becoming unresponsive to their surroundings while staring into the distance.

• Head tilt: This is one of the most common symptoms of a stroke in hamsters and usually becomes a permanent side effect.
• Neurological damage: This can cause mental confusion and a loss of equilibrium, leading to the hamster walking or running in circles and, in more extreme cases, falling over repeatedly.
• Limping or paralysis: The hamster may experience paralysis or limping on one side of its body, which may or may not be permanent.
• Incoordination and instability: The hamster may have difficulty maintaining balance and experience wobbliness.
• Irregular breathing: The hamster may experience heavy or irregular breathing.
• Strange behaviour: Some hamsters may act strangely before or during a stroke.

If you suspect your dwarf hamster is having a stroke, it is important to remove objects that may cause harm, such as levels, wheels, or anything sharp, and ensure their body temperature is maintained. While there is very little a vet can do to treat strokes in hamsters, it is still recommended to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible to prevent further brain damage and maintain your hamster's quality of life.

What to do if your dwarf hamster has a stroke

Although strokes are not common among hamsters, they do occur, and dwarf hamsters are no exception. If your dwarf hamster has had a stroke, here is what you can do to help them recover:

Recognise the Symptoms

Before a stroke, hamsters often exhibit extreme exhaustion and may collapse after physical activity. They may also enter a trance-like state, becoming unresponsive to their surroundings while staring into the distance.

After a stroke, common symptoms in hamsters include:

• Head tilt, which usually becomes permanent
• Neurological damage, such as running in circles
• Limping or paralysis on one side of the body
• Incoordination and instability
• Irregular breathing

Seek Veterinary Attention

While there is no specific treatment for strokes in hamsters, it is important to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. A vet can investigate and treat the underlying cause of the stroke, help prevent further strokes, and maintain your hamster's quality of life.

Provide Supportive Care

During the recovery period, which can last several weeks, there are several things you can do to make your hamster more comfortable:

• Remove the exercise wheel and any other items your hamster may attempt to climb on to prevent falls and injuries.
• Keep the enclosure flat and free of high points to prevent your hamster from falling and getting hurt.
• Provide a deep layer of bedding to keep your hamster warm and comfortable.
• Maintain a room temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent your hamster from getting too cold.
• Hand-feed your hamster if necessary, and provide water using a syringe to prevent dehydration.
• Move the cage to a quiet area to ensure your hamster gets plenty of rest without disturbances.
• Play mellow music to create a calming environment.

Remember, strokes can have permanent effects on hamsters, and they may not always make a full recovery. It is important to provide tailored care and make any necessary adjustments to their enclosure to ensure they can live comfortably.

Can dwarf hamsters recover from strokes?

Dwarf hamsters, like all hamsters, can suffer strokes. While strokes are not common among hamsters, they do occur, and the likelihood of a hamster experiencing a stroke increases as it gets older.

Strokes in hamsters can be caused by a blockage or a bleed in the brain, leading to a disruption in the blood supply to the organ. This can result in brain damage and the death of brain cells. Hamsters that have had a stroke may exhibit several symptoms, including sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, a head tilt, and changes in behaviour such as lethargy and disorientation.

If you suspect your dwarf hamster is experiencing a stroke, it is crucial to seek veterinary attention immediately. While there is no cure for hamster strokes, prompt medical intervention can help manage the symptoms and prevent further complications. The vet may administer oxygen to prevent further brain damage and provide medication to alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.

Hamsters can recover from a stroke, typically within 2-3 weeks. However, the long-term prognosis depends on the cause and the age of the hamster. While some hamsters recover without any debilitating side effects, others may develop permanent issues such as a head tilt or incoordination. Unfortunately, strokes in hamsters often recur and worsen with each episode, eventually leading to death.

During the recovery period, it is important to remove any items from the hamster's cage that it could climb on or fall from, such as an exercise wheel or wooden toys. The hamster should be kept warm and provided with plenty of food and water, which may need to be administered by hand if the hamster is struggling to eat and drink on its own. It is also essential to place the cage in a quiet area to ensure the hamster gets plenty of rest without disturbances.

What causes dwarf hamsters to have strokes?

Dwarf hamsters, like all hamsters, can suffer strokes. Strokes occur when the blood supply to the brain is obstructed or reduced, leading to brain cell death. While strokes are more common in older hamsters, they can affect hamsters of any age.

There are two types of strokes: ischemic and haemorrhagic. Ischemic strokes are caused by a blood clot blocking blood flow to the brain, while haemorrhagic strokes occur when a weak blood vessel bursts and bleeds into the brain.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of a hamster experiencing a stroke. These include:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Poor diet
• Cushing's disease
• Obesity
• Stress
• Genetic factors

Recognising the signs of a stroke in a hamster is crucial. Common symptoms include:

• Sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the body
• Head tilt
• Changes in behaviour, such as lethargy and unresponsiveness
• Difficulty eating and drinking due to compromised coordination
• Disorientation and confusion
• Droopy eyes or glazed appearance
• Difficulty controlling the tongue, leading to drooling
• Extreme exhaustion and collapse after activity
• Trance-like state, staring into the distance

If you suspect your dwarf hamster is experiencing a stroke, immediate veterinary attention is crucial. While there is no cure for hamster strokes, prompt intervention can help manage symptoms and prevent further complications.

How to help a dwarf hamster recover from a stroke

Dwarf hamsters, like all hamsters, are prone to strokes as they get older. While some hamsters can recover from strokes, they often experience another one, which worsens their condition. Here are some ways to help a dwarf hamster recover from a stroke:

Remove the Exercise Wheel

While hamsters need exercise, they are likely to injure themselves by using the wheel during the recovery period. Remove any hides and accessories that the hamster could climb on to decrease the chances of injury.

Keep the Enclosure Flat

Remove any high points in the enclosure to prevent the hamster from falling and hurting itself. A hamster with long-term head tilt or incoordination will struggle with ledges and raised sections, so keep the inside of the cage flat to enable the hamster to move around.

Keep the Hamster Warm

Hamsters' bodies cannot cope with extreme temperatures. Prolonged exposure to the cold causes their bodies to go into a temporary hibernation called torpor, from which they rarely wake. Provide a deep layer of bedding (at least 6 inches) that the hamster can burrow into to keep warm. Keep the room temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Hand-Feed and Hydrate the Hamster

Depending on the severity of the stroke, you may need to hand-feed the hamster during its recovery. If the hamster is tame enough, you can provide pellets and a healthy seed mix by hand. You can use a syringe to put water into the side of its mouth. Dehydration will hinder recovery, so keep doing this until the hamster is strong enough to eat and drink independently.

Move the Cage to a Quiet Area

Move the hamster's cage to the quietest area of the house so that it can get plenty of rest without disturbance. Continue to emulate natural conditions by turning off the light at night and ensuring the enclosure can access indirect sunlight during the day. This will help your hamster get sufficient sleep.

Frequently asked questions