To understand when your hamster is ill, you need to know how it behaves when it is well. Its ears should be alert, its eyes bright and free from discharge. The hamster should move freely and with confidence, not be too nervous or shy. The fur should be shiny with no bald patches or flaky skin.
Knowing Your Hamster
Hamsters have a scent gland on their hips known as a hip spot. It is most obvious on short-haired hamsters and is nothing to worry about. It looks like a small mole and it is perfectly natural.
Sometimes pet hamster owners worry about the appearance of the testicles in short-haired hamsters. They can appear too obvious and the owners are concerned that there may be a problem. As long as there are no bites or wounds, the hamster is perfectly normal. It may just be too hot.
You should be alert for discharge from a hamster’s anus. Such problems should always be referred to a Vet.
Cheek pouches can harbour abscesses. This can be hard to spot initially as it looks as though the hamster has just filled its pouch. If your hamster seems to permanently have one pouch full then it is worth investigating. Your hamster may in pain when you try to examine it and you can usually feel the food if that is in the pouch.
If a hamster is losing weight then its teeth should be checked first. Hamster teeth grow throughout their lives and if they become out of alignment, then they may need trimming. After the first time, this will need doing regularly.
Contagious Hamster Diseases
A young hamster is usually healthy, but there are a couple of diseases to watch out for. The first is Wet Tail. You can find articles on Wet Tail on Suite101, but the usual symptoms are that of a very sick hamster with diarrhoea. This is a situation that requires a vet as soon as possible as it can be fatal. It generally occurs in hamsters up to 8 weeks old and is thought to be caused by the stress of weaning followed by a new home.
Younger hamsters can also catch a viral infection known as Hamster Polyomavirus. Again, this is a serious and contagious disease which is characterised by small tumours, often on the internal organs which are not detectable, but then manifesting themselves externally on the chin, round the eyes, on feet or round the anus in groups. It commonly occurs in groups of animals such as lab animals or in hamster breeders’ hamsters, but this also includes most pet shop stockists. There is little your Vet can do for this disease except ease suffering. Again you can search for a more detailed article on Suite101.
Older Hamster Illnesses
Most hamsters live a reasonably disease-free life, but like humans, as they get older, approaching two years, their immunity breaks down and they are more susceptible to illness. Your hamster may stiffen up and slow down, he may hunch slightly, or he may lose his fur.
Older hamsters often have thinning fur on their chin, belly or by their hip spots. As long as there is no scabs or wounds then they should be okay. Some hamster breeders suggest that soluble vitamins may help. If the skin is cracked or sore, then your hamster should see a Vet. It is possible for a hamster to get mange or skin cancer.
Hamsters get cancer tumours. These can be operated on when they reach a certain size as long as your hamster is in good health. Anaesthetic needs to be used carefully on small animals, but most proficient Vets are happy to operate as long as the pet owner understands the risks.
Hamsters live about two years – two and a half years is a very old hamster. Regularly checking on your hamster and making sure he stays in good health is the right way to look after him.
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