Heat stroke in the hamster

At present, a great diversity of rodents are used very frequently as pets since they are friendly, sociable, manageable and meet the characteristics to be exceptional pets, especially if there are children in the home.

Of all the rodents that we can take in as pets, one of the most typical and endearing is the hamster, although we must be clear that, like any other animal, it is susceptible to various diseases and disorders, therefore it requires specific care and sufficient care. Attention.

In this article we talk about heat stroke in hamsters and the first aid you should use to help them.

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Heat stroke in the hamster

The body temperature of the hamster ranges between 30.1 and 38.3 degrees centigrade and the ambient temperature between 20ºC and 22ºC is what is considered ideal for this animal. Above this temperature and especially in extreme temperatures, the hamster cannot cool down, so during the summer there is a special risk of suffering from heat stroke, also known as heatstroke or hyperthermia.

Faced with the temperatures typical of a very hot summer, the hamster loses its ability to homeostasis, that is, of internal balance, since the heat that the body absorbs is greater than the heat that it can dissipate, because the hamster is negatively affected by the conditions of its fur and by the absence of sweat glands.

In these circumstances, the normal functioning of the cells can be altered, which can damage vital organs such as the liver, heart and kidney in a short time, causing the death of the animal.

 

Symptoms of heat stroke in the hamster

We must know the symptoms of heat stroke in the hamster to act as quickly as possible . If our pet suffers a state of hyperthermia, it will manifest itself in the following way:

• A state of deep sleep is observed
• The hamster is lying on its side
• He is rigid and apathetic, without reaction
• You may experience tremors and lateral movements in the head
• breathe very fast
• The pulse is fast and weak
• The coat can be wet

Faced with these signs, you must react very quickly and put into practice the first aid that we will mention below.

 

First aid for heat stroke in the hamster

If your hamster has a heat stroke you should act as follows:

1. Spray it with fresh water
2. Wrap it in a damp towel
3. Put it in a cool place
4. Encourage him to drink, try giving him water with a syringe
5. Bathe their paws in warm water

It is important to use cool or lukewarm water but never cold or ice water, as the shock between external and internal temperature could cause seizures or even cardiac arrest.

The hamster should show normal behavior in a maximum period of 10 minutes, but in any case, if your hamster has suffered a state of hyperthermia, it is essential that you go urgently to the veterinarian after applying first aid.

 

Prevent heat stroke

We all know that prevention is better than cure and by taking sufficient precautions you can ensure that your hamster's health is optimal during the summer as well. The following tips will be very useful to avoid heat stroke in your hamster:

• The hamster must always have fresh water at its disposal.
• If you sleep on your back or in an unusual position, it indicates that you are enduring too much heat
• It is important to use cages and not aquariums, since they acquire a higher temperature
• The cage should not be placed in an area exposed to the sun
• It is helpful to place a frozen water bottle on one of the outsides of the cage, but not inside.
• Frozen fruit can be offered to gnaw on, this will help cool down
• He should be allowed to play outside for some time each day
• We can place clean and frozen stones in the cage to maintain a suitable temperature