What is wet tail?

Wet tail is a very serious disease in hamsters that unfortunately has a high mortality rate even when caught early and treated. “Wet Tail”, named from the obvious sign of wetness around the rear end and tail of the hamster from diarrhea, comes from a bacterial infection that is generally brought on by stress.

How do you know if your hamster has wet tail?

How do hamster get wet tail?

Also called proliferative ileitis or regional enteritis, hamster wet tail is caused by the bacterial species Lawsonia intracellularis and stress. Wet tail is usually passed on through the feces of another infected hamster, often the mother or litter mates.

How do you treat wet tail at home?

If you are unable to take your hamster to an exotics vet, you can try giving it wet tail drops at home. These drops are orange flavored and have an antibiotic in them. They can be purchased without seeing a veterinarian and can be put in a water bottle or directly in the hamster's mouth.

Is wet tail serious?

True Wet Tail is a serious gastrointestinal infection which can be life-threatening. However, the term 'wet tail' is sometimes used more generally to describe any condition resulting in diarrhoea or wetness around the back end.

Wet Tail In Hamsters (Proliferative ileitis)

Can humans catch wet tail?

You should also be aware that wet tail is contagious to other hamsters. In some rarer cases, it can cause stomach upsets in humans as well, so it is very important to wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling a sick pet and to quarantine them from other animals until all symptoms have disappeared.

How long does it take for a hamster to recover from wet tail?

Some hamsters recover from wet tail after a course of vet-prescribed antibiotics. If your hamster sees a vet within 24 hours, it may start to improve within 7 days. Unfortunately, wet tail is fatal for about 90% of hamsters, killing them within 2-3 days.

What antibiotics treat wet tail?

Some commonly used antibiotics include tetracycline, trimethoprim sulfa and enrofloxacin. The patient is typically hospitalized in an incubator to keep warm and clean. Despite aggressive treatment, many hamsters succumb to the disease and perish within 48 hours.

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.

Does wet tail hurt hamsters?

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.

Can hamster survive wet tail?

Could he survive? With proper treatment, some hamsters do survive "wet tail." However, "wet tail", or Proliferative Ileitis, is one of the most serious intestinal diseases that affect hamsters. Even with treatment, many hamster die, often within 48 hours of showing symptoms.

Why do hamsters eat their babies?

Fear: It is normal for mothers of many species to want to protect their young, and hamsters are no exception. But when hamsters are scared or fearful, this emotion can result in killing and eating their own young.

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.

Why did my hamster bleed to death?

This hamster died from a prolapsed rectum that resulted from untreated wet tail. A bloody discharge in a female hamster may indicate ovarian or uterine problems, a bladder infection, or some other cause. A uterine tumor that has prolapsed out of a hamster's vulva.

How do you clean a hamsters bottom?

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.

Can I use Clorox wipes on my hamster cage?

What is this? But even though Clorox wipes are great for cleaning up around the house, Clorox wipes are not safe around pets, especially small pets like guinea pigs.

What do you do after your hamster dies?

What is this? At home, the best option for your hamster is a burial. Leave it inside of the bags, and bury it at least three feet down and away from anything else. Now is a good time to have a funeral for your pet and say your last goodbyes.

Why does my hamster smell like a skunk?

"The glands become most obvious at puberty and the odor is most obvious then too," she said. Some people could be put off by this smell, but it's really quite normal and natural. "The scent glands' smell varies from unnoticeable in some hamsters to quite a strong, musky scent in others.

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.

Can I put baking soda in hamster cage?

Sprinkling baking soda on the bottom of the cage can help absorb odors. Just add the baking soda before you put in the hamster's bedding. Baking soda is a good way to keep your cage smelling great, as it is readily available and very cheap.

How often should you clean hamster cage?

Besides scooping out dirty bedding every day, plan to change out all of the bedding in your hamster's habitat once a week. This includes removing any food your hamster may have stored throughout the week, as well. Wash the entire habitat once a month.

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 to do if a hamster gets wet?