63 / 128
Coat and skin
The coat should be clean and not greasy, with no
bald spots. Check the skin for dry scaly patches,
wounds, lumps, or swellings. There should be none.
Lumps and swellings may mean the hamster has an
abscess which will need veterinary treatment.
Hamster skin is loose fitting, rather
like it is wearing a coat that is a
size too big. If you gently pinch it, it
should quickly go back into shape. If,
however, it stays erect then it is a sign
that the hamster is dehydrated.
Eyes
Look for bright, clear eyes, with no dry
discharge or weeping. These signs
indicate that the hamster may have
conjunctivitis
or something in its
eye. Cloudy eyes also indicate that
there may be an infection.
Ears
There should be no sign of
damage on the outer ear, and
the ears should be clean with
no discharge or waxy build-up.
63
Hamsters