# My new hamster has a scratch on his eye... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 19, 2003, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601 "2003-01-19T06:23:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/1 "2003-01-19T06:23:28Z")
It’s been there since I brought him home, and I think it seems to be improving. Do I need to get medication, or should I just leave it be? I’ve never had a hamster before, and I’m not sure what to do - could there be serious ramifications? (Other than a one-eyed hamster?) Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/2 "2003-01-19T12:45:04Z")
If it’s healing, leave it alone. If it gets worse, put it out of its misery. You do not send what is basically a rat into surgery. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/3 "2003-01-19T13:10:33Z")
IANAVet but I used to keep rats, gerbils and hamsters, some of whom had this problem. You may just want to take it to the vet to get some topical antibiotic to prevent infection while it heals - chloromycetin is what we used on our rat. The worst ramifications are likely to be bitten fingers trying to get the damn stuff in the hamster’s eye every day… ---
**Author:** ![alice\_in\_wonderland](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alice_in_wonderland/32/176_2.png) [@alice\_in\_wonderland](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alice_in_wonderland)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2003, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/4 "2003-01-19T18:10:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* > \*\*If it gets worse, put it out of its misery. \*\* :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/5 "2003-01-21T03:17:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* > \*\*If it gets worse, put it out of its misery. > You do not send what is basically a rat into surgery. \*\* Since you obviously don’t understand the difference between a pet and a lab animal, you aren’t qualified to have an opinion on pet care. And, if you don’t understand what a heinous, callous thing that was to say, you have my pity, though not my sympathy. ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/6 "2003-01-21T03:19:46Z")
jjimm is right. If it appears to get any worse (weeping, redness, swelling), you definitely want to take it to the vet. Not for surgery, but for some ointment and possibly a shot of antibiotics. Good luck with the little guy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![femtosecond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f08c70/32.png) [@femtosecond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/femtosecond)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/7 "2003-01-21T12:45:04Z")
What bedding do you use in the cage? Most sites about hamster care agree that you shouldn’t use straw, as it can cause eye injuries. Try soft hay if you don’t already use it, especially now to avoid new trouble while the eye is healing. ---
**Author:** ![Siemsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b19c9b/32.png) [@Siemsi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siemsi)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/8 "2003-01-21T12:56:32Z")
I hope your hamster heals soon… ((((hamster hugs))))) BTW…I use Care Fresh litter for my lapines. Excellent litter made of recycled paper (pulp) product. Would be excellent for hamsters or other rodents. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/9 "2003-01-21T13:12:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Davebear \* > \*\*Since you obviously don’t understand the difference between a pet and a lab animal, you aren’t qualified to have an opinion on pet care. And, if you don’t understand what a heinous, callous thing that was to say, you have my pity, though not my sympathy. \*\* Typical. And I suppose you think _Bambi_ is a documentary? :rolleyes: Look–If you have a pet, & accept responsibility for it, you must _also_ accept responsibility for ending its pain when injured beyond repair, or when diseased. Letting the little thing suffer is selfish & rotten! Pets are not people. A hamster costs $20, tops. An operation costs $500+, & no guarentees (sp?) of success. BTW–the only thing mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils & etc ever do is make brown jellybeans, eat, f##k, & run on those damn wheels at 3AM when you’re trying to sleep. Imaging that they reciprocate affection is self-delusion at its best. Get yourself a dog or cat. Both can return affection. Or, try something classier–a Sugar Glider! [http://www.angelfire.com/tx/facehugger/info.html](http://www.angelfire.com/tx/facehugger/info.html) ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/10 "2003-01-21T15:09:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* > \*\*Typical. And I suppose you think _Bambi_ is a documentary? :rolleyes: \*\* Typical of what? I don’t believe we’ve ever crossed paths, before. > [@](#): > > **Look–If you have a pet, & accept responsibility for it, you must _also_ accept responsibility for ending its pain when injured beyond repair, or when diseased.** That’s true if, and only if, the injury/disease can’t be healed with a reasonable effort. > [@](#): > > \*\*Letting the little thing suffer is selfish & rotten! \*\* Obviously. No one suggested that. But, killing it isn’t the only option. > [@](#): > > **Pets are not people. A hamster costs $20, tops. An operation costs $500+, & no guarentees (sp?) of success.** You’re right. Pets are not people. But, they are living creatures, not toys. Having a pet means accepting responsibility for it, _financially_ as well. The fact that hamsters don’t cost much to acquire doesn’t make them disposable, no matter how often rednecks say so. > [@](#): > > \*\*BTW–the only thing mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils & etc ever do is make brown jellybeans, eat, f##k, & run on those damn wheels at 3AM when you’re trying to sleep. \*\* No kidding. And, I suppose you’ve taught your cat to cook and clean? > [@](#): > > \*\* Imaging that they reciprocate affection is self-delusion at its best.\*\* No. The fact that you’re incapable of perceiving it, or unable to inspire it, doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. > [@](#): > > **Get yourself a dog or cat. Both can return affection.** Sure. I can see you being a dog person. Dogs love you, no matter what. > [@](#): > > **Or, try something classier–a Sugar Glider!** So, because they live in trees, they’re not rats? You just don’t get it. My response to you was because you were “selfish & rotten!” in your response to Alice. No one cares that you don’t like hamsters, except the hamsters, who are grateful. ---
**Author:** ![cichlidiot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/5f9b8f/32.png) [@cichlidiot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cichlidiot)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/11 "2003-01-21T16:32:27Z")
Was the hamster housed with other hamsters at the pet store? It’s pretty common for hamsters to fight in my experience. From [this article](http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/sci_update.cfm?DocID=112), “To study social behavior, Albers and his colleagues have chosen an animal with a very simple social life: the Syrian hamster. These hamsters don’t have close friends. They don’t travel in groups. They don’t socialize with their extended families. They basically come together only to mate or to fight.” The link I provided mentions Syrian hamsters, but I’ve noticed the same thing with dwarf hamsters to a lesser extent. If you’ve ruled out bedding and signs of infection, chances are it’ll heal on it’s own. Hope that helps. ---
**Author:** ![Teelo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Teelo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Teelo)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2003, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/12 "2003-01-21T17:21:59Z")
I once put two male hamsters together to meet each other. It took all my strength to pull them apart. they both were biting into each others thigh. Ouch. Then there was that one time I tried to cut its extrememly long hair… It flinched and I accidentally cut it open in two places. I could see his spine and back muscles. … Funny thing is that he never noticed. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/13 "2003-01-22T03:15:58Z")
**Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor** , your anti-hamster ranting is not appropriate to this forum. **Davebear** , implying another poster is a “redneck” is not appropriate to this forum. You may both conisder yourselves warned. Let’s get back to considering the _facts_, shall we? bibliophage moderator GQ ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/14 "2003-01-22T03:27:05Z")
Ooooo…those mods are **tough!** _Pokes bibliophage and runs_ 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 22, 2003, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-new-hamster-has-a-scratch-on-his-eye/149601/15 "2003-01-22T12:45:19Z")
I request you go back & read my original post. I said that _surgery_ waas inappropriate. I made _]no comment of any kind_ regarding medicine. If I have been offensive to others, I apologise.