Hamsters sneezing and squeaking in hot weather. What should I do?

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!

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.

I am sorry to hear about your mouse! If you aren't already using a bedding made of recycled paper, such as Carefresh bedding, that is unscented, I would recommend switching to this type. Other beddings can sometimes cause irritation to the nasal passages. If you have any air fresheners or scented candles in the room where your mouse lives, I would remove these as well. If the mouse continues to sneeze, has a green or yellow discharge from the nose or eyes, seems lethargic, or has decreased appetite, or a puffed up appearance to the fur then a visit to a veterinarian is recommended. You can try putting a humidifier in the same room as your mouse or bringing the mouse's cage into a bathroom while you run a steamy shower for 10 minutes to give a steam treatment to help keep the respiratory passages moist.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Sneezing can be a sign of a respiratory infection. A handful of different components can lead to respiratory infections in mice, whether viruses or bacteria. Mycoplasmal infections, for example, often occur in mice. When mice have respiratory infections, they often display cold-like clues, including problems breathing normally and runny noses. If your mouse is breathing in a manner that seems inordinately loud, a respiratory infection could be responsible. Other typical symptoms of respiratory infections in mice are weight loss, reduced desire to eat, exhaustion, barely moving around and messy looking fur. The bedding in Popcorn's enclosure could be the reason for her persistent sneezing as well. Ask your veterinarian for types of bedding that are less dusty and cause less irritation to the nostrils. If the sneezing is the result of any illness, your veterinarian can provide treatment options. Remember, mice, like other pets, require regular vet checkups regardless of the presence of signs of illness. Take your mice to the vet a minimum of once annually. If she sneezes or seems sick, go to the vet immediately, even if she just had her yearly appointment. I hope this is helpful!

It would be hard to say without an exam, however respiratory issues usually result in symptoms such as raspy breathing, coughing, sneezing, wheezing and changes in behavior including loss of appetite, lethargy, etc. Squeaking on its own doesn't really indicate this, however if you are concerned, or Bolletje is showing symptoms listed above, a vet visit is best. Until you can get her to your vet, keeping her warm and eating and drinking may help, but if symptoms worsen, seeking care sooner is needed.

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.