HAMSTER VET

Hamster Veterinarian Serving Akron & Barberton OH

We are a full service hamster vet clinic providing care, diagnosis, and treatment. Hamsters make cute and playful pets. The most commonly kept are golden hamsters, dwarf hamsters and teddy bear hamsters. They are popular as pets for children and adults alike. Usually, hamsters don’t display signs of illness until they are very sick, so it’s important to contact us when you notice a change in behavior. Common signs of illness to look out for include:

  • Runny Nose
  • Matted or Greasy Fur
  • Diarrhea
  • Shaking
  • Lack of Eating & Drinking
  • Bulging or Dull Looking Eyes
  • Bloated Abdomen
  • Labored or Rapid Breathing
  • Coughing/Sneezing
  • Hair Loss

In order to keep your hamster healthy and happy, We provide the following veterinary services

Examples of Tests Offered:

  • COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC): A CBC is great laboratory tool that allows a veterinarian to “peek” inside your bird. By assessing the variety of blood parameters we can detect infections, viral diseases, blood parasites, response to disease, and states of anemia to name a few. This test can be done in our office at the time of your bird’s exam to aid in our ability to assess your pet’s health.
  • BLOOD PROFILING: A blood profile or serum chemistry series is a group of blood tests used to assess various organ functions or disease states. Kidney function, liver abnormalities, pancreatic disease are but a few of the conditions a blood profile can help evaluate.
  • SEROLOGIC TESTING/SPECIFIC DISEASE TESTS:
    Serologic tests use a combination of technologies (including state-of-the-art DNA probe tests) to screen your pet for the presence of various contagious diseases. Some examples of common tests used are:
  • CHLAMYDIA TESTING: Chlamydia, or parrot fever, is a contagious bacterial disease of birds that is also potentially contagious to humans. A variety of symptoms can be displayed and some birds can be healthy acting carriers. Although a culture is the “gold standard” for testing, a number of different tests are available to use in different situations to screen for this important disease.
  • PBFD: Psittacine beak and feather disease is a viral disease capable of infecting a wide variety of bird species. This potentially fatal disease can progress slowly or rapidly and involve a range of feather and beak lesions. Although no cure is currently available, this test can be used to help screen for the presence or absence of this disease in your pet.
  • POLYOMA: Polyoma virus is another potentially devastating disease of pet birds that has a variety of presentations and outcomes. Lesions can involve feathers or cause widespread tissue destruction and acute illness. Testing as well as a vaccine is available for this disease.
  • PACHECO’S: Pacheco’s disease is a highly infective herpes virus of birds. Disease can be rapid, widespread, and fatal or sporadic with asymptomatic carriers. DNA testing is now available to help detect and prevent this catastrophic disease.

Hamster Diagnostic, Therapeutic, Surgical Procedures

Hamsters get problems. We have solutions. We utilize the most up-to-date techniques available to resolve your pet’s problems. Bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasound, and endoscopy are just a few of the diagnostic means available to aid with your pet’s diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, we offer a full range of therapeutic and surgical options to correct the problem.

Hamster Wellness Exams

As part of your hamsters wellness examinations, we’ll consult with you about your concerns and discuss specific needs of your hamster such as diet. We will visually examine teeth, ears, eyes, mouth, and skin for signs of illness. If we find anything abnormal, we may recommend testing to diagnose possible illness.

Hamster Parasite Control

Hamsters can get internal and external parasites including tapeworms, fleas, ticks, ringworms and mites. These pests cause discomfort and may lead to serious illness. We offer parasite control to keep your hamster pest free.

Hamster Emergency Care

Our office is open for your hamster’s health care needs Monday through Friday 8:00-6:00 and Saturday 8:00-4:00. If emergency care is required after these hours, you can rely on our 24 hour emergency facility- the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital. Metro is located at 1053 S. Cleveland-Massilon Rd. in Copley (330-666-2976) and is there to assist with any of our client’s problems. At Metro we have veterinarians and technicians on duty 24 hours daily to address your needs. Metro’s staff doctors rotate through our clinic on a regular basis to assure that they are comfortable addressing the problems of our bird and exotic owning clients.

Share by: