What does wet tail do to hamsters?

This condition causes severe watery diarrhea which leads to matted, unkempt fur around the tail, loss of appetite, and dehydration. Affected hamsters may also sit in a hunched posture and have blood around their rectums. Hamsters can die from this illness. Death may occur in as little as a few days to a week.

Can hamsters survive wet tail?

Wet-tail or proliferative ileitis, is a disease of hamsters. It is precipitated by stress. Even with treatment, the animal can die within 48–72 hours.

What do I do if my hamster has wet tail?

If you suspect your hamster has wet tail, having them seen by your veterinarian as soon as possible is a critical first step. Your vet will likely start your pet on an antibiotic and may also recommend administering subcutaneous fluids to aid in hydration as well as syringe feeding if your hamster is not eating.

How does wet tail affect hamsters?

Wet tail is an extremely serious health condition that is especially common in Syrian hamsters under 12 weeks old. A hamster of any species and age can get wet tail which causes foul-smelling watery diarrhea, severe dehydration, discomfort and death.

How do I know if my hamster is dying?

When a hamster is dying, its breathing will be more agitated, choppy and its pulse will begin to diminish progressively until exhausted. It is also possible that your hamster may suffer from tremors or a stiff jaw. Signs of a dead hamster include: No apparent breathing or movement.

Wet tail in Syrian Hamsters | Hamster Health

Why is my hamster wobbling and falling over?

If hamster is having problems with balance and keeps stumbling and falling over, it is suffering from a problem with its vestibular system. The vestibular system is the mechanism within the inner ear and brain that helps mammals - including us - keep balance.

Can you cure wet tail at home?

Unfortunately, wet tail can be difficult to treat. Hamsters suffering from the condition often die, even when the problem is spotted early and properly treated. For the best chance of recovery, it is important to identify wet tail and begin treatment within 24 hours of symptoms appearing.

How does wet tail happen?

If your pocket pet has a wet, dirty back end with runny or bloody poops, this is the most likely cause and it can be fatal. Also called proliferative ileitis or regional enteritis, hamster wet tail is caused by the bacterial species Lawsonia intracellularis and stress.

Why is my hamsters back end swollen?

These are normal and nothing to worry about. Also, the testicles of male hamsters enlarge in the spring, so two large swellings at the bottom end of your hamster are usually nothing to worry about. But, if you are at all concerned about your hamster's health, do consult your vet.

Do wet tail drops work?

5.0 out of 5 stars These drops really do work! My little one became extremely ill with wet tail. He looked awful and I honestly thought she would die. Reading in websites everyone said 48 to 72 hours of extreme pain.

What is the most common cause of death in hamsters?

Congestive heart failure in hamsters is a likely cause of death for hamsters that die suddenly. This occurs when older hamsters or hamsters with a genetic predisposition have weakened heart muscles that cannot efficiently pump blood.

Why is my hamsters pee red?

Just like with humans, your hamster's kidneys are responsible for flushing toxins from its body, and sometimes, just like human kidneys, they malfunction, resulting in a dangerous build-up of toxins in the body. This condition is usually diagnosed with blood and urine samples.

Why is my hamster shaking and having trouble walking?

Some known medical issues that can cause shaking in a hamster are diabetes, stroke, heatstroke, skin parasites, or congestive heart failure. Other common signs to look out to determine if your hamster has a condition are nasal discharge, watery stools, weight loss, rough appearance, and glazed-over eyes.

How do you know if your hamster has wet tail disease?

This condition causes severe watery diarrhea which leads to matted, unkempt fur around the tail, loss of appetite, and dehydration. Affected hamsters may also sit in a hunched posture and have blood around their rectums. Hamsters can die from this illness. Death may occur in as little as a few days to a week.

Why does my hamsters back look wet?

What Does It Mean When Your Hamster's Fur Looks Wet? Your hamster's fur can appear wet for many reasons, some more serious than others. We talked about wet tail being a serious condition. If your hamster has a wet tail, or the areas around the tail are wet, they may be having diarrhea.

How do you clean a hamsters bum?

You can clean him up gently with a plain, unscented baby wipe or pet wipe. Make sure he is dry, warm and stress free afterwards. Monitor for the above symptoms as wet tail can be serious if not addressed promptly by your veterinarian.

How much does it cost to take a hamster to vet?

It does depend on where you live but on average I would say an exam is about $30-70, but could be higher for an exotic specialist.

What is hamster stargazing?

'Stargazing' is a disorder that causes hammies to stand on its hind legs, gaze upwards, and either flip over or fall on its back. This compulsive behaviour is often repeated and is involuntary, meaning that it is not within their control.

How do I know if my hamster is cold?

His little body may feel warm to the touch, and he may be thirstier than usual. Watery eyes, matted fur, and discharge from the eyes or nose are also indicative of colds in hamsters. If the cold is severe, Hammie's fur may be very matted, and he may lose his appetite.

Why does my hamster tilt his head?

Circling in hamsters occurs when a hamster has a head tilt. Head tilts are usually a result of an inner ear infection due to bacteria but other causes also exist. With an inner ear infection, bacteria from a dirty environment or a respiratory infection enters the ear canal.

Why is my hamster dragging her back leg?

Heart disease, pneumonia and renal disease can all cause overall body weakness, and the first sign that you might see is a dragging of the hind legs. Even certain types of cancer can cause overall body weakness. My suggestion is to find a veterinarian who has an expertise in small mammal medicine.

Why is my hamster frozen?

Why Does My Hamster Suddenly 'Freeze'? A hamster will 'freeze' temporarily due to fear or surprise. Their eyesight is poor, so they need to listen and sniff to work out what's going on. You can alter your hamster's environment to make it less stressful.

Why is my hamster squeaking?

Squeaking: Hamsters tend to make a squeaking sound if they're feeling distressed or scared. You may notice this noise when you move your hamster into your home for the first time, although they might also vocalise in this way at any time that they're feeling agitated.

Do hamsters cry?

Hamsters don't really cry and if you do see any moisture around their eyes it's usually due to humidity, so you won't see them actually tearing up over something like a bad experience. However, hamsters can make crying noises when they're scared, in pain, or sleeping.

Do hamsters have periods?

Hamsters have a short and consistent estrous cycle (4 days), a predictable time of ovulation, and a short gestation period (16 days).