Why is there goop on my hamster's cage after cleaning? Is she sick?

This does sound like unusual behavior. The good news is that Sandy is acting normal today. If she is continuing to act normal, exercise and eat and drink, I would just monitor her for the next couple of days. If her behavior changes again, she stops eating, or you notice the discharge again, then I would recommend you take her to the vet to be checked out. Also, if you can determine where the discharge is coming from (or if you can bring in a sample) it would be helpful for your veterinarian. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Discontinue feeding any fruits or vegetables. Feed only a pellet or block type hamster chow. Clean and sanitize the cage, bowls, toys and hides. Discard anything that cannot be sanitized. Spot clean the cage daily. Keep Hamster warm and as stress free as possible. If she becomes lethargic or stops eating, have her rechecked by your veterinarian immediately. Consider a probiotic to promote a healthy gut.

Infrequent sneezing could be a sign of airways irritation, for example from the bedding or dust. It could be due to allergy as well. If the sneezing is only infrequent and your Ike is drinking, eating and playful as normal you should just monitor her at home. If she develops discharge from the nose or eyes, please take her to your local vets then.

Thanks for reaching out about Spencer. Sneezing is common with an upper respiratory disease, whether infection (bacterial, viral or fungal), heart disease, inflammation, dental disease and more. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Try to encourage to eat and drink. Good luck.

Hello, and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Poor little Buddy! I can tell you love him and are concerned for his safety. Chances are, Buddy will do just fine. My biggest concern would be exactly what you said: the possibility of aspiration, or accidentally breathing the water into his lungs. Sometimes aspiration can lead to pneumonia, or a lung infection, and that could be life threatening. For now, monitor Buddy closely. There's really nothing to do preemptively for him, and chances are he'll do just fine. But watch him closely, especially his appetite and general attitude over the next couple days. If the sneezing continues more than a couple hours, if he quits eating, or if he suddenly seems to have less energy, then he should be seen by a vet to make sure he's not developing pneumonia. Hope this helps!

Poor Hagrid! Her eye issues can be caused by an infection, and may be painful. The soiling on her bottom is likely caused by diarrhea, which can be extremely dangerous in hamsters as they can become dehydrated quickly and even die. Diarrhea can be caused by rapid diet change, intestinal parasites, or bacterial infections. You should have Hagrid seen by a veterinary as soon as possible, as she may need antibiotics for her and stabilization. In the meantime, you can provide moistened pellets for her on the cage floor so that she can easily access food and water. I hope all is well!

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or eventually to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.