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Dwarf hamster eye swollen and bulging after a fight. What to do?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Other | Unknown - Other | Female | unspayed

Hi my dwarf hamster, Aurora, has a lump just above her eyes and now her eyeball is swollen as well! At first her eyebrow area was pink and look scratched and now this occurred within 3-4 days. She shares her cage with another female hamster and sometimes they fight and I think when I wasn't in my room they probably had a fight and she got scratched. she's behaving normal however, she eats well and is active too as usual and doesn't seem well but her eyes look like they're about to pop out.

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2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Kevin Sanada, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on September 6th, 2017

It looks like little Aurora has a proptosed eye. This may be entirely due to the swelling from the scratch or could have popped out from trauma. These type of injuries need treatment right away in order to save the eye. If left like this, it can cause significant damage to the outside of the eyeball and can swell or pop out even more. I recommend taking her to a veterinarian as soon as you can. For now, the best this you can do is try to keep the outside of the eye moist. If you have any antibiotic eye ointment in the house, then it would be best to put this over the eye. Otherwise, you can ask your local pharmacy for lubricating eye ointment. This will help protect the eye, while she is awaiting the vet appointment. Before applying the ointment, it would be best if you can flush the eye with saline for 30 seconds. This can also be found in the pharmacy. I hope that helps and Aurora gets better soon.

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    Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Poor Aurora .. I am pleased to hear that she is not particularly affected by this condition. It would be interesting to see whether there is a foreign body in the eye that has possibly caused some infection and inflammation or if there is a foreign body that has caused a retro-bulbar abscess... an infection that originated from the mouth into the back of the eye and it's pushing it forward. I would suggest that you have her checked over and if I can I would suggest a veterinary practice that is excellent at treating exotics and it's not too far from you. It's called Trinity Vet Centre and it is located in Maidstone.I would call them first thing in the morning as they can be quite busy. Good luck ! Please let me know if I can be of any further help.

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