Case 3. A 33-month-old hamster is drooling
Channel: Dr David Sing
Date: 2014-03-16

The owner had gone to Sydney to study and was concerned about the aging hamster losing weight and drooling. The mother brought it in for examination and took images to send to the daughter. A mother has so many responsibilities.

This is the 3rd hamster case in a day. Unusual to get 3 dwarf hamsters in one day at Toa Payoh Vets.  They come from Toa Payoh, Serangoon and Ponggol.


A light isoflurane + oxygen gas anaesthesia is used to check the old dwarf hamster. She has a swollen belly and urinary incontinence. 3 subcutaneous tumours in her belly area. Overgrown lower incisor teeth were clipped as these may cause drooling. The lip commissure abscess was lanced and drained. 

The hamster went home alive and I hope the drooling will now stop and it can eat. . 

At 33 months of age, this dwarf hamster is very old. The life span of dwarf hamsters is 24 - 30 months and this hamster is really well cared for to live to a ripe old afge. .