What is wet tail caused by?

Wet-tail is a disease in the animal's intestines caused by the bacteria, Lawsonia intracellularis.

How does wet tail occur?

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.

What can cause wet tail in hamsters?

Stress is usually the main culprit of wet tail. Young hamsters get moved from a breeder or vendor to a pet store, to a new home, and sometimes get returned to the store after that, all within a period of a few weeks. This would stress anyone out—especially a tiny baby hamster.

Can hamster recover from wet tail?

The only cure for wet tail is antibiotic treatment available from your vet. Even if you notice the smallest sign of wet tail, ring your vets and make an appointment immediately. Wet tail can cause hamsters to die within 48 hours of the first symptoms showing.

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.

Water Doesn't Cause Wet Tail! | Myths

Is wet tail caused by stress?

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.

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.

What does wet tail smell like?

Strong smell – wet tail smells, and it's hard to miss. Your hammy is usually very clean and only smells like fur if you smell him. But with wet tail, he might have a strong poo smell. Hunched back, brought on by intestinal discomfort.

What to do if a hamster gets wet?

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

What do you feed a hamster with diarrhea?

If your hamster's only symptom is diarrhoea and there are no other signs of illness, the cause is likely to be dietary. Withhold fresh fruit and veg and just feed dry food, provide plenty of fresh water, keep the environment warm, ensuring a draft free location and monitor this whilst your hamster is unwell.

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.

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.

Why is my hamster bleeding from its bottom?

It could represent blood in the urine, which then may mean an infection in the bladder, stones in the bladder or even infection in the kidneys. Another possibility is that the blood could be coming from the gastrointestinal tract due to a bacterial infection, parasites or even cancer.

Should I hold my dying hamster?

Should I Hold My Dying Hamster? You'll need to exercise caution if you wish to hold your hamster while it's dying. For hamsters dying of a painful illness or disease, being handled will cause too much pain and stress. Instead, you'll need to interact with your hamster without touching it.

How do you humanely put down a hamster?

Using a dessicator jar in a chemical fume hood, the animal is placed on a perforated platform that prevents direct contact with the liquid anesthetic (indicate the gas anesthetic ). The lid is replaced and the animal monitored until lack of respiration for > 60 seconds is observed.