In this blog we have been reading about the happy moments in Baru's life (and those of the other members of his family). We have had our share of bad moments too: Julita, Poteto and Sora going to the Hamster Heaven, and that time when Flan bit Baru and Doctor Ozawa saved him.

Today is another one of those days.

Two weeks ago I left Baru and his family with Mama because I had to go back to Spain for a few days because of my university exams. I came back to Japan and met them again today. Flan, Nana and Coco were very well and happy. But Baru wasn't. He was on his nest, sleeping, and barely moved when I stroked his fur. He was very weak. I took him and noticed that his eyes were closed, covered by a yellowish crust. This had happened on occasion before, and I did the same thing I did on the other occasions: carefully clean his eyes with warm water and some soft tissue paper. When he could open his eyes again I checked his fur, and there I noticed a flea. And another. And then another one. And finally I saw a big group of them around one of his scent glands. Carefully I removed as many as I could with my fingers and then put him again in his cage. I cleaned my hands and checked Flan, Nana and Coco to see whether they were infested too or not. Fortunately, they weren't.

We called Doctor Ozawa and took him to the doctor's office a few minutes later. Dr. Ozawa confirmed that it was a flea infestation, and that Baru was very weakened because of the blood loss and the stress of being stung by the parasites without being able to do anything about it. The doctor gave him a shot of something he told us would kill the fleas on his body and keep him protected for a month. Then he sprayed something on his fur in order to kill the fleas there and with his fingers he spread it under Baru's neck, behind his ears, on his back, and on his joints. He told us that the shot would weaken Baru because it is probably too strong for him (being intended for dogs).

Back at home, I have seen Baru walk a bit on his cage and eat a few sunflower seeds. He's now sleeping on his nest, but he looks very, very weak. I covered him in tissue paper to make sure that he's not cold. I also put a warm patch under the corner he's sleeping in, and I'm keeping the room warm tonight.

I don't know what's going to happen, but I have never seen any of my hamsters in such a bad condition. I'm not optimistic, but tomorrow we'll see if he looks better.

Be strong, Baru.