Hamster Clubs in the UK and hamster breeders in general were worried about a new disease that was apparently very contagious and could kill their hamsters quickly. Post mortem results on hamsters that had been sick showed initially that it was a viral infection. More tests revealed the virus to be a form of Polyomavirus similar to a strain found in mice also known as HaPV.
The disease had been in laboratory hamsters since the late 1960s, but now it was in the stock of hamster breeders. Hamster shows meant that hamsters were regularly meeting with hamsters of other breeders and that it was possible for the disease to spread.
How Do Hamsters Catch Polyomavirus?
Hamster Polyomavirus is spread through urine. The virus infects the animal and does not reveal itself for up to 30 weeks after infection although more likely is about four weeks. It can infect the kidneys, liver, spleen and causes small multiple tumours to grow on the organs.
The most likely first outward sign (although if you are looking for it, you may feel the small tumours in the abdomen), is the loss of weight in the hamster and a small wart-like growth on the chin. Tumours on young animals are also a sign.
The diagnosis is confirmed when further small growths appear. Fur loss and scaly skin can also be symptoms. Often the hamsters die very quickly from when the first obvious symptoms appear.
Cure and Prevention of the Hamster Disease
There is no known cure for the disease at the moment apart from prevention. Because there can be a long lead time between infection and symptoms, good hygiene practices are essential, particularly for a hamster breeder with many hamsters.
Once infection is confirmed, then isolation is the only answer. You need to tell everyone who has a hamster who has been in contact with your sick animal. The disease will run its course through a group of hamsters, but will eventually weaken as the hamsters develop immunity. Finally only the old or weak hamsters will fall victim to it.
A deep clean is the answer to helping to prevent more problems. Anti-viral cleaning agents are available from your vet and would be advised to be used. Isolating any new hamsters would be advised, particularly if you don’t have the virus. Caution is recommended.
Good Hygiene is Essential to Prevent Infection
Hamster Polyomavirus took hamster breeders by surprise, but they were quick to respond. More hygienic practices were introduced in hamster shows including disinfecting judging nets and Judges cleaning their hands regularly. Exhibitors who had the virus did not show their animals for about nine months until they felt they were clear of it. The fact that a group of people who were knowledgeable about hamsters were able to talk to their vets about this disease almost certainly helped the scientific world to acquire more knowledge about it.
There are no cases of the disease transferring to humans. If your pet hamster should exhibit signs of the disease, then do take him to a vet as it may be something different. If it is Hamster Polyomavirus, then there will be little the vet can do, but you must then thoroughly clean and disinfect the cage or a new hamster may catch the disease. If the hamster is young or newly bought, then the pet shop should be informed.
Although it is a nasty disease, the experts assure us that it is like any other virus and its prevalence will weaken with time. Until then, hamster keepers will need to be cautious.
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