My hamster has a lump from its mouth. Is it a protruding cheek pouch?

Thanks for reaching out about Hamlet and including a photo. If this is an everted cheek pouch, a veterinary visit is a necessity. He will likely be chewing on it and will become infected. It is understandable that anesthetic is a risk but return and suturing of the pouch is needed. Good luck.

This could be an impacted cheek, an abscess or a tumor. Your vet may want to sedate Neville in order to properly look into the cheek without causing him too much stress. If Neville has an impaction, the vet will remove the food and check the pocket and teeth for injury or reasons for the impaction. If he finds an abscess, which could easily occur when some spiky food causes an injury, he will likely drain and flush it. As for a tumor, he may suggest to remove it or not. That will depend on the type of tumor and the size and also on the age of your hamster.

Stormz needs to see a veterinarian immediately. This appears to potentially be a problem with his cheek pouch and I'm concerned that it's turning black because the tissue is dead. Please have him seen quickly.

Thanks for reaching out about Cooper and including a photo. Impacted or infected cheek pouches are not uncommon. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Try massaging the cheek pouch in an attempt to empty it. Good luck.

She may have an infection in a tooth, jaw or mouth. If she will allow, check her cheek pouches for impaction. Hamsters will sometimes hoard food for so long that it will actually begin to rot in the mouth causing inflammation and infection. You can apply gentle pressure to get her to empty her pouches. They may need to be flushed with an antiseptic solution and she may need antibiotics or pain medication. Unfortunately, these medications must be dispensed by a veterinarian. A physical exam will be required in most instances before antibiotics or other prescription medications can be dispensed.

Hello. It is possible to try & reposition the cheek pouch under anesthesia, but unless the conditions that caused it are addressed, it may happen again. Normally, we just recommend amputating the pouch & sewing the edges closed. Cost, unfortunately, is based on who is willing to do the surgery, & general costs in your area. Just start calling around the vets in your area to find who is best to help little Buttercup. But I would not leave it alone as it will become traumatized, eventually necrotic, & this is a sad way to die. Hope you can help her soon. Take care.

You are right in thinking this is unusual for a mouse. It is possible for food to get caught in the space between the chewing teeth and the cheek. Sometimes this happens if the there is dental disease, particularly a malocclusion of the teeth. It is possible for the food pellet to be too dry and that is why it could be lodged/stuck there. Lastly, there could be tissue swelling, such as a dental abscess that is at this location and it is not food at all. If your mouse will let you safely look in the mouth using a q-tip or a popsicle stick, I would start there. You may need a flashlight to help you be able to see as well. If this causes Nutmeg to stop eating, traumatize the skin around the mouth and become lethargic, then I recommend having her examined by your veterinarian.