Steppe lemming

Diabetes

SignsDrinking and urinating a lot, sudden weight loss, dull coat, cloudy eyes, limp and not moving

PreventionNever give fruit, sugary vegetables, or sweet hamster food. Hay and species-specific pellets are the staple

Heatstroke

SignsLying flat and not moving, rapid breathing, hot body, drooling, red ears or feet

PreventionKeep room temperature at 25°C or below. Run the air conditioner continuously in summer. Avoid direct sunlight and poor cage ventilation

Malocclusion

SignsDrooling, dropping food, avoiding hard items, pawing at the mouth, weight loss

PreventionProvide unlimited hay at all times to wear the teeth down. Provide chew sticks. Check the mouth once a month

Diarrhea / enteritis

SignsSoft stool, soiled rear end, bloated belly, reduced appetite, curled up and not moving

PreventionLimit watery vegetables. Keep bedding and dishes clean. Introduce new foods in small amounts

Respiratory infection

SignsSneezing, runny nose, clicking breathing sounds, eye discharge, curled up with rapid breathing

PreventionAvoid temperature swings and drafts. Do not use dusty bedding. Ventilate and clean thoroughly

Tumors

SignsLumps on the skin or mammary glands, swollen abdomen, thinning fur on one side, weight loss

PreventionAfter age 1, feel the whole body once a week for lumps. Caught early, some can be surgically removed

Bite wounds from fighting

PreventionKeep groups only to same-sex animals raised together from a young age. Provide a hide and feeding spot for each animal. Separate immediately if a fight draws blood

First aidSeparate into different cages at once. Press the wound with clean gauze; see a vet the same day if there is pus or swelling

Fractures (limbs)

PreventionEliminate wire floors and gaps in the exercise wheel. Do not create high ledges. Handle gently

First aidIf it drags or holds up a leg, confine it in a small box to limit movement. Do not splint; see a vet the same day

Trapped nails or toes

PreventionUse wire mesh no larger than 1 cm. Do not use cloth nesting material or stringy cotton

First aidDo not pull it free; cut the mesh or thread to release it. Press bleeding with gauze. See a vet for swelling or discoloration

Cuts and abrasions

PreventionRemove metal protrusions and broken plastic from the cage. Do not let nails overgrow

First aidDo not rinse under running water; wipe gently with clean saline. Do not use antiseptic. See a vet if it becomes red and swollen

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteContact with bald patches or skin, dander in the cage

PreventionAlways wash hands after handling. Do not handle an animal with circular hair loss bare-handed

Salmonellosis

RouteContact with droppings, urine, soiled bedding, or dishes

PreventionWear gloves when cleaning; do not wash dishes in the kitchen. Children must always wash their hands

LCM (lymphocytic choriomeningitis)

RouteContact with urine or saliva, bites, dust from dried droppings and urine

PreventionPregnant women should avoid care duties. Clean with a mask and gloves; dampen bedding before removing it

Bite-wound infection (rat-bite fever, etc.)

RouteBacterial infection through a bite wound

PreventionIf bitten, wash immediately with running water and soap. See a doctor for swelling or fever

Food

• Unlimited hay such as timothy at all times
• 2–4 g per day of low-sugar small-animal pellets
• Very small amounts of dried wild herbs as a supplement

Water

• Fresh water from a drinking bottle, changed daily
• If water intake rises sharply, suspect diabetes and see a vet

Toys & play

• Chew sticks or apple branches (pesticide-free)
• A solid exercise wheel at least 15 cm in diameter with no gaps
• Pipe-style tunnels or paper hideaway passages

Nest, bed & hideout

• Wooden or ceramic nest boxes, at least one per animal
• Shredded hay or paper as nesting material

Bedding & litter

• A thick layer of low-dust paper or corn bedding
• No softwood shavings, cotton, or cloth
• Non-clumping litter in a corner

Cage / housing material

Tank-style enclosure or wire cage with mesh of 1 cm or less. Must be escape-proof

Size & space

At least 45 cm wide for one animal; 60 cm or more for a group

Layout

• Bedding at least 5 cm deep so it can dig burrows
• Place the nest box, feeding area, and wheel apart from each other
• Put the hay rack on the floor and keep it topped up

Placement notes

• A quiet spot away from direct sunlight and windows
• Out of the direct path of air-conditioner or heater airflow

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No free-roaming needed; a wheel in the cage is enough
• If let out, keep it in a playpen for about 10 minutes and never look away
• It is fast and squeezes into gaps, so watch behind furniture

Temperature & humidity

Temperature18–24°C. 25°C or above risks heatstroke

Humidity40–60%. Avoid high humidity

Summer & winter

• Summer: run the air conditioner continuously; provide an aluminum cooling plate
• Winter: use a panel heater so it never drops below 15°C

Nail trimming

Normally not needed. If overgrown and catching on things, have the vet trim them

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed. A sand bath a few times a week removes oil from the coat

Other care

Teeth wear down naturally on hay and chew sticks. Check the mouth and rear end once a month

Protection from predators

• Do not keep in the same room as cats, dogs, or ferrets
• Even a crow or cat watching through a screen door is severe stress
• Keep the area around the cage clean to deter mosquitoes and mites

Foreign-body ingestion

Cotton, tissue, or cloth threads used as nesting material get eaten and cause intestinal blockage. Use only hay and paper. See a vet for reduced appetite or fewer droppings

Being stepped on

On the floor it darts under your feet. Stay seated and still during floor time, and check where it is before standing up

Getting pinched

Easily caught in the cage door or nest-box lid. Always count heads before closing. Choose a one-piece wheel with no gaps

Falls

A weak climber, but a fall causes fractures. Sit on the floor when holding it; never handle it on a desk or sofa

Escape

Slips out through mesh or door gaps in an instant. If it escapes, seal the room and place a tube with hay along a wall to lure it in

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and silent and wait (it usually lets go within seconds)
2. Gently lower your hand, animal and all, onto the floor or cage bedding
3. Once it lets go, withdraw your hand slowly; do not chase it
4. If it will not release, blow lightly on its face

After the release

Wash with running water and soap for 5 minutes and apply pressure to stop bleeding. See a doctor for swelling, fever, or red streaks

What to tell the vet & what to bring

When it started, diet, room temperature, photos of stool or urine. Bring it in a small box, kept warm

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Touch the back lightly with a finger to check response and body warmth
• Count chest movements. Normal is about 100–150 per minute
• Place a finger on the chest to feel the heartbeat. Normal is 300+ per minute

Stopping bleeding

• Press gently with clean gauze for 5 minutes
• Never underestimate even small bleeding in such a tiny body
• Do not put styptic or antiseptic into the wound

Transport

• Line a small box with hay and wrap in a towel to keep warm
• Keep it dark and still; carry quietly without jolting