Roborovski Hamster

The Roborovski hamster, also known as the Roborovski dwarf hamster, is a species in the subfamily of hamsters. It is one of the smaller species in the hamster family, with a small body size, short limbs, and a short tail that is slightly exposed. The palm. The palm and sole of the fore and hind limbs have white dense hair. The back of the body is grayish-brown. The belly is white. The color boundary between the back and abdomen on the side of the body is distinct and slightly straight. It is gentle, agile, and good at running. It is mostly active at night. It feeds on seeds, fruits, and the roots, stems, and leaves of plants, and has a habit of storing food. It mainly inhabits deserts, semi-deserts, and sand dunes with sparse vegetation, or shrubs between sand dunes.

The Roborovski hamster is native to western Mongolia, southern Mongolia, and the Heilongjiang region of China. It is now widely distributed in China, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the Russian Federation. The population size of this species is large and its distribution range is wide. There is no evidence of declining population numbers, and there are no known major threats. They have been known to cause some harm to sand-fixing plants by gnawing on them, and in some areas, the damage is more severe. They occasionally have fleas as parasites, but there is no significant transmission of diseases to humans.

The Roborovski hamster is suitable for all people who like small pets. They have a gentle temperament and rarely bite. Hamsters have senses of sight, touch, hearing, and chemical stimulation. During the day, they rest and are more active at night. Their vision is poor, and they can only distinguish shapes vaguely and perceive colors as black and white.

1. Tumor

Pet Symptoms: When touching the pet, there is a noticeable bulge in a certain part of its body, and as time goes by, the bulge becomes larger.

The Roborovski hamster, like humans, can develop tumors when there are abnormalities in its body cells, and they can be either benign or malignant. When a tumor is found on a hamster's body, a tissue biopsy is needed to confirm the nature of the tumor. If the tumor is malignant, surgical removal is necessary; however, after the surgery, there is still a chance for malignant cells to spread to other parts of the body and cause tumor metastasis and relapse.

2. Skin Disease

Pet Symptoms: Roborovski hamsters may experience hair loss, scratching, redness and shedding of the skin.

Firstly, it is necessary to maintain a clean and dry environment, actively consult a veterinarian, and seek good medical advice. Finally, relevant examinations such as skin microscopy should be conducted for the hamster to determine the specific skin problem before applying corresponding medications.

3. Heart Disease

Pet Symptoms: Loss of appetite, poor activity, and difficulty breathing.

If a Roborovski hamster exhibits the above symptoms, it may be suspected of having heart disease. It is important to consult a veterinarian for a professional examination and conduct detailed tests according to the veterinarian's advice. For example, an X-ray examination can be performed to observe if there is ventricular hypertrophy and other diseases. After confirming the condition, treatment can be given using cardiac glycosides and vasodilators to stabilize the condition.

4. Malocclusion

Symptoms: Drooling, inability to completely close the mouth, loss of appetite, etc.

Suggested treatment: Preventing malocclusion in Roborovski hamsters can be achieved by regularly providing them with hard food or mineral stones for grinding their teeth. If malocclusion is observed in a hamster, it is advisable to ask a veterinarian to file its teeth.

5. Constipation

Pet Symptoms: A significant decrease in bowel movements, or even no bowel movements.

When a hamster's living environment changes, it may experience constipation. In addition, hamsters may develop constipation due to bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections.

Firstly, it is important to keep the cage clean. Secondly, provide the pet with fresh and fiber-rich food, and ensure an adequate water supply. Treatment should be administered under professional veterinary guidance. In severe cases, timely medical treatment is necessary.

6. Cold

Pet Symptoms: Drooping ears, lethargy, moist nose, decreased activity.

Once a Roborovski hamster catches a cold, it must be treated promptly. If the condition is not severe, some anti-inflammatory drugs can be used for treatment. However, the dosage must be carefully controlled. Cold in hamsters can be prevented by regularly feeding them with vitamin C-rich food and taking appropriate measures to keep them warm, avoiding placing the cage in windy areas.

The most suitable temperature is 20-28°C, avoid direct sunlight or direct wind, but pay attention to ventilation. Do not place it too close to the TV, speakers, or computer. Hamsters can hear sounds that humans cannot, so avoid radiation and noise.

Summer: It is best not to use air conditioning, as turning it on and off can create a large temperature difference, and hamsters are sensitive to temperature and are prone to colds.

Winter: If placed outdoors, hamsters may experience pseudo-hibernation due to the cold. Use bedding such as wood chips and provide wooden or grass houses for warmth. Alternatively, provide more cotton for hamsters to make their own nests. Non-fatty cotton can be used, preferably natural cotton. The simplest method is to put the cage inside a cardboard box, but make sure it's ventilated. Do not give them woven items made of cotton thread as nests. Although warm, hamsters can bite open the woven fabric and sleep inside, so some unbroken threads can easily cause hamster suffocation.

The Roborovski hamster will clean itself, so owners do not need to bathe their hamsters often. However, when the hamster's fur is dirty, it must be cleaned in a timely manner. You can use a towel dipped in warm water to gently wipe the hamster and remove dirt from its body. If you must give the hamster a bath, it is best to do it when the weather is warm. After bathing, use a hairdryer to thoroughly dry the fur to prevent the hamster from catching a cold and getting sick.