This little lady is finally coming home from the vet after two weeks of being treated for wet tail. She was finally well enough to have her teeth trimmed - why, you ask? Well this special little lady is hydrocephalic. This congenital defect is common in Syrian hamsters and tends to be comorbid with malocclusion, missing or brittle teeth, brachycephaly, eye problems, neurological problems, etc.
Despite the laundry list of potential health problems, hydrocephalic hamsters can have a good quality of life with some accommodations including a soft, nutrient dense diet, routine teeth trimming, and veterinary monitoring.
This hamster came from a pet store where her medical needs deemed her unsellable. This is a lucky fate for her; many hydro hammies in pet stores go undiagnosed and succumb to dental issues or are sold to inexperienced homes.
We may transfer her to another rescue eventually as Westchester Hamster Haven has offered to take her if we can arrange transport, but for now she will be here as a resident receiving the specialized care she needs to thrive.
