There are docile hamsters that allow themselves to be handled without problems and others that react by biting to any attempt at handling: much depends on how they have been tamed in the early stages of life, as well as on individual character.
Tractable hamsters can be safely held in cupped hands, taking great care not to drop the animals. Hamsters that jump into a void or are left to fall can hurt themselves seriously, so they should never be lifted more than a few centimetres from a surface. While examining a hamster, it can be useful to place a bowl on the examination table so that if the animal starts to slip out of the hands it can be placed immediately in the bowl to prevent it from running away or falling off the table. In order to immobilise a hamster the animal should be gripped by the scruff of the neck, taking care not to take too little skin between the fingers (the animal could twist round and bite the handler) or too much (this could cause protrusion of the eyeball, which can nevertheless be managed by pulling the eyelids over the eye) (Fig. 1).
If necessary, an anxious animal can be extracted from the cage by making it enter an empty jar and then placing it in a bowl from where it can be picked up more easily without the hindrance of the cage furniture. A sleeping hamster should never be grasped because if it is woken up suddenly it can react by biting.
Roborovski hamsters are particularly difficult to restrain because of their small size and the speed with which they move; it is better to handle them as little as possible unless they are particularly docile (Fig. 2).
The most important thing to remember when handling a hamster is that it can bite and the handler must, therefore, be prepared for this possibility in order to avoid instinctively and inadvertently hurling the animal against a wall or the floor, which would have disastrous consequences for it. The bite of a Golden hamster can be painful, whereas Russian, Siberian and, above all, Roborovski hamsters do not cause particular problems since they have very small teeth.
Brief anaesthesia may be induced directly with isoflurane if necessary to carry out a more thorough clinical examination.
CLINICAL EXAMINATION
It is advisable that a hamster is brought to the outpatient clinic in its cage, if it is not too cumbersome, at least the first time it is examined. In this way the veterinarian can determine the conditions of captivity (space, type of bottom, presence of a den, wheel or other toys, nesting material, hygiene) and type of food administered. Subsequently the owner can be suggested to use a small plastic or plexiglass container for the transport, such as a fauna box, packed with pieces of kitchen paper.
Before carrying out the examination, the history should be taken; in the meantime, if the hamster is awake, its behaviour and general appearance can be observed. During the day hamsters are usually fairly drowsy, particularly if just woken. In contrast, in the evening they should be active and curious, exploring their environment. Before picking up a hamster, the owner should be asked about its temperament and whether it is accustomed to being handled. All clinical examinations should be carried out as quickly as possible, albeit carefully and systematically, since even tractable hamsters do not like being handled for a long time. The clinical examination must be thorough and consider the whole animal. The animal’s weight should be measured with precise weighing scales, accurate to the gram. If necessary, further assessments can be made after the hamster has been given a general anaesthetic.