Hamsters have large cheek pouches that they use to store food. Sometimes the lining of one or both cheek pouches can be scratched by something sharp (usually a very large tooth). Bacteria can enter the scratch and cause an infection. An abscess, which is a pocket of infection, forms to isolate the infection. If your hamster has an abscess on his cheek, take him to the vet for treatment and try to avoid future abscesses.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Seeking Veterinary Treatment
Step 1. Determine if the hamster has an abscess on its cheek
Before starting treatment, it is important to determine if the hamster's swollen cheeks are due to an abscess or food storage. Because the hamster's cheek pouches are so large, the hamster can store a large amount of food and make it appear puffy. If the swelling subsides after the hamster empties the pouch, then he does not have any abscesses.
- If the swelling does not subside, then the hamster likely has an abscess on its cheek.
- An abscess would make the hamster feel sick. The hamster may eat less and look poor in general (for example, have a disheveled coat, low energy level, etc.). A cheek pouch full of food will not make a hamster feel bad.
Step 2. Take the hamster to the vet
If you think your hamster has an abscess, take him to the vet for treatment. The vet will carefully examine the puffy cheek pouches for an abscess. The vet may need to sedate the hamster to examine inside its mouth.
During the appointment, give the vet as much information as you can about the hamster and the abscess on his cheek. Tell him what kind of food he eats, as well as the type of soil he has in his cage. Also, tell him when you first noticed the swelling on his cheek
Step 3. Allow the vet to treat the abscess
To treat the abscess, the vet will open it and let it drain. Opening the abscess is a surgical procedure, so the vet will need to anesthetize the hamster. Once it is anesthetized, the vet will open the abscess with a sharp surgical instrument.
- To drain the abscess, the vet will use a surgical drain. This drainage will prevent the abscess contents from entering the hamster's mouth and spreading through its body.
- After the abscess has been emptied, the vet will clean the empty bag and rinse it with an antiseptic solution that will kill any remaining bacteria.
- You can take your hamster home the same day as the surgery, as long as he recovers well from the procedure.
Step 4. Give the hamster antibiotics as prescribed by the vet
To prevent infection after surgery, your vet will likely prescribe an antibiotic for you to give your hamster. Follow the prescription directions carefully and administer the entire course of antibiotics. If you stop the antibiotic treatment early, the remaining bacteria may become resistant to the antibiotics, making future treatment very difficult.
- The antibiotic is probably in liquid form. To give the antibiotic, draw the prescribed amount of the antibiotic into a small syringe (without the needle). Hold the hamster comfortably, open its mouth and gently push the contents of the syringe.
- The vet can give you the syringes. If you are unsure about how to use a syringe, ask your vet to show you how to use it.
- Contact your vet if you have trouble giving your hamster antibiotics.
Part 2 of 2: Prevent Future Abscesses in Your Cheek Pouches
Step 1. Ask the vet to trim the hamster's teeth
Overgrown incisors (half-curved teeth) can damage cheek pouches, and are the most common cause of abscesses. If your hamster's incisor teeth are very large, your vet will need to trim them with specialized dental tools. ! NO cuts yourself! You could damage them and create even sharper edges.
- The hamster will need to be anesthetized for the trimming of the teeth.
- Your vet may want you to schedule regular tooth trimmings.
Step 2. Feed the hamster soft, mushy food while it is healing
If the hamster eats something sharp, that food could scratch the lining of the pouches on its cheeks. Soft foods like cereal and rice are good to feed your hamster as his abscess heals. If your hamster eats pellets, you can soften them by adding a little water (not so much that the pellets are soggy). Other soft foods include:
- Scrambled eggs.
- Cooked oatmeal.
- Yogurt.
- Talk to your vet about how much soft food you need to feed your hamster.
Step 3. Make sure the hamster gets enough fiber
You may be concerned that hay or chew toys (for example, dog biscuits or wooden sticks) could damage your hamster's cheek and cause another abscess, but this is unlikely. By depriving your hamster of these things, you can actually increase the chances that it will have another abscess, as its teeth can grow a lot without fiber and things to gnaw on.
If you use wooden sticks, make sure the wood is not pine or cedar, as they are toxic to hamsters
Step 4. Consider using only soft soil in the hamster's cage
Once the hamster has been treated for a cheek abscess, it will be important to prevent it from happening again. Using a soft floor is a great prevention strategy, as it will not scratch the lining of the hamster's cheeks. Shredded paper is an ideal soil for the hamster. You don't have to buy shredded paper - just tear unscented toilet paper or paper towels into shreds.
- You may want to provide your hamster with soft soil while it recovers, but a permanent change may not be necessary.
- Carefresh® and Yesterday’s News are soft floors that you can buy.
- Wood chips, hay, and straw have sharp edges. Do not use them as floor in the hamster cage.
- Create a thick layer of soil in the cage. Replace the floor when it gets dirty or wet.