How to deal with hamster ear infection?
Hamster ear infection is a problem that cannot be ignored. Once the hamster's ear is infected, it is likely to be broken. The so-called disorder is that hamsters can't control their bodies and keep rolling around there. Young and strong hamsters still have some energy, but for old hamsters, once they get sick, they are likely to be exhausted. In order to prevent the occurrence of dryness, attention should be paid to the ear care of hamsters, and the ears should be kept as clean as possible.
First, find out where the ear is infected.
The ear is divided into three parts: outer ear, middle ear and inner ear. The external ear collects sound waves and consists of auricle and external auditory canal; The middle ear consists of tympanic membrane, ossicles and tympanum; The inner ear contributes to balance and spatial positioning, and consists of vestibule and cochlea. The common ear infection in hamsters is mainly vestibular infection.
Second, related symptoms
Generally speaking, ear infections are mostly caused by inflammation or injury. The ears of patients will stink, and sometimes pus will flow out of the external auditory canal. If the disease is serious, hamsters will lose their balance, walk unsteadily, fall easily, and their heads will lean to one side, leading to the behavior of turning in circles, and some hamsters will be semi-paralyzed.
Second, the related causes of ear infection
External auditory canal trauma or abscess can affect hamsters. They may not be able to automatically coordinate muscle movements, feel the changes in the head and neck, and press the atrium of the inner ear, thus affecting the brain nerves, causing the head and neck to tilt to one side. This is the most common cause of ear infection, not genetic defects or genetic diseases.
Traumatic bleeding of external auditory canal and tympanic membrane or abscess rupture and pus cause vestibular infection, which is another cause of ear infection.
Pay attention to ear hygiene to prevent infection.
Third, the treatment method
The only way to deal with this problem is to treat it with antibiotics. 5% Bailey solution can be mixed with water at the ratio of 1:250, and then the affected area is cleaned and dripped into the ear. Or give ear drops to cats and dogs. Because different ear drops have different ingredients, you need to know their ingredients when buying them, and try to avoid antibiotic ingredients that hamsters can't use. The sooner it is found, the easier it is to treat, and most hamsters with ear infections can return to normal. Because of the disorder of the balance system, hamsters will find it more difficult to find food and water. Please try to feed them by hand, or sprinkle food on the mat for them to find.
For the sick hamster, it is best to empty the toys and other related useless things in the cage and let the hamster rest for a while. If there is trauma or abscess in the ear, please try to pay attention to a light diet and don't feed high-protein food to aggravate the condition.
Fourth, matters needing attention
In order to prevent ear infection, it is necessary for the owner to check the hamster's ears regularly, and it is best to deal with them in time if dirty things are found. If the hamster is found wandering around for no reason and unbalanced, then it is necessary to doubt whether the hamster's ear is infected and inflamed, and it is best to check and deal with it immediately. In addition, ear infections are easy to recur, especially abscesses caused by inflammation. Regularly check whether there is recurrence after recovery.