Taking Your Hamster to the Vet
Vet Fund:
Before you commit to a hamster, if you need to save for a vet fund, start saving now!
Vet bills can vary from $20-30 for a nail trim (some hamsters need this monthly) to $75 - $100 USD for a wellness check and $100-$300 USD for surgery.
Just because they are a small animal doesn’t mean their life doesn’t matter. If you commit to a hamster you are also committing to the financial responsibility of taking on their medical needs. Before you get a hamster, please look for an exotic vet in your area and inquire if they take hamsters.
I also suggest checking out this video from Hopping Hammy & Taxonomist about Hamster First Aid Kits. It can be very helpful to keep some items on hand at home to deal with emergencies until you’re able to make it to the vet.
Travel Carrier
You will need a safe and secure way to bring your hamster to the vet - this is why it’s great to have a carrier on hand for when you need it!
Fill the carrier with bedding from their enclosure so it smells familiar. Put lots of treats to keep them occupied to help calm the nerves.
I like to put the carriers inside a larger duffel. I fill the space with towels so the carrier is well protected. I do this on particularly hot or cold days to protect my hamsters from the temperature change going outside and then into the car. On very hot days, I usually cool down the car first! Hamsters do not deal with extreme temperatures well, it’s important to be aware during travel.
I also like to travel with a clear, plastic cup- this allows the vet to scoop up the hamster and look at them if handling becomes difficult. I just save them from take-out drinks and always have a few on hand.
PRO TIP: carry these carriers from their base in case your lid isn’t fully secured. If weather is cold, windy, wet or hot, I place the carrier in a cotton tote, often with a towel around the sides to help insulate until I get to the car.
Recommended Vets
It can be tricky finding a vet who is comfortable with hamster care. SO, I decided to start a list of recommended hamster vets, collected from other hamster friends around the US & beyond!
For more recommendations or to join the discussion, please see the Hamster Forum Recommended Vet thread here!
If you have a favorite hamster vet you’d like to share, please email me at: rachelgothamsters at gmail.com. Thank you!
If you can’t find anyone with availability in your area, you can always try an online appointment! Vetster services the US, UK & Canada. It’s easy to schedule an appointment online. I’ve used their services once to get a second opinion on my hamster’s treatment plan. It was nice peace of mind to have someone else weigh in on the situation and give me another perspective to consider.
USA:
Illinois:
Indian Prairie Animal Hospital - Aurora https://www.ipahvet.com/services/
Michigan:
Uptown Vets - Ann Arbor: https://www.uptownvetclinic.com/
Animal Kingdom Veterinary Hospital - Ann Arbor http://www.animalkingdomveterinaryhospital.com/
Emergency Veterinary Hospital - Ann Arbor (for emergencies only of course!) https://emergencyvetannarbor.com/
Ohio:
Bird & Exotic Pet Wellness Center - Toledo https://www.birdandexotics.com/our-practice
United Kingdom:
Durham (North East) Uk
Gilmoor Vets, Gilesgate, Durham https://gilmoorvets.com/
