My Syrian hamster is unbalanced after meds. How long for improvement?

I would expect him to be better after 4 days of taking the Melonex. That being said, some animals respond to medications differently so I suggest you give him a few more days on the Melonex before you say it is not helping.

Thanks for reaching out about Dexter. No, on the inhaler as she probably doesn't have asthma and overdosing can be serious. Animals usually suffer from dehydration prior to starvation. Offer water via a syringe, then can moisten pellets and offer also. Taking out the wheel is a good idea. If not improved after 48 hours for medication, a re-visit to the veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.

I am so sorry to hear that tour Syrian hamster is not well. It sounds like he is possibly in pain and may have an infection. Unfortunately with prey animal species like hamsters, they do not tend to show signs of being unwell until they are actually very sick. They tend to hide signs their body is not well longer, then other species. For this reason I would advise taking your hamster to your veterinarian. It is very likely they will be able to provide medication, such as antibiotics to try to help him recover. The vet will also be able to provide medication for pain relief and healing. Best of luck to you both and please feel free to ask as many questions as you may have here on the forum. We want to support you through this time.

It is typically given for 7 to 14 days. It can be given for longer depending on the condition being treated. If your veterinarian prescribed it, there should be clear directions for use. If not, confirm the dose and need for it with your vet before starting. Inappropriate antibiotic use can lead to resistant bacteria and may complicate any underlying condition that could delay diagnosis.

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.

She may be painful and dehydrated and undernourished. An immediate check up at your local vet is required to have a better clinical picture and treat appropriately. Pain relief meds and eventually antibiotics (if there is any sign of infection) are possibly required. 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.

I am so sorry that this is happening to you and Rex! I would recommend that you monitor Rex for side effects of this medication, which can include gastrointestinal distress (diarrhea or a lack of fecal production), a decrease or lack of appetite, or changes in attitude. You are most likely to see the signs above in the first 24 hours. Also, I would recommend informing your veterinarian about this to see if they would like for you to continue the medication, as I don't know how severe Rex's signs are on the skin. I hope that helps to answer your question, and good luck!