A baby Syrian has already had a lot of stress by the time it arrives at its new home. It has been separated from its mother and put in a cage with its other siblings. It has been transferred to a pet shop and usually within two to three weeks, it has another new home. Stress is one of the major factors in Wet Tail, and this is why many of the hamsters who develop it are youngsters.
Wet Tail is caused by E-coli bacteria possibly in conjunction with Campylobacter. Although dwarf hamsters do develop diarrhoea, this is not usually caused by the same bacteria as Syrian hamster Wet Tail. The treatment for both diseases is the same.
Symptoms of Wet Tail
It takes seven days for the symptoms of Wet Tail to show. These include a messy tail, runny faeces, sometimes containing mucus or later on, blood and the hamster will be hunched over, ears flat to the body, eyes half-closed and in pain. It may squeak or nip when picked up.
Wet Tail is a serious disease which can kill within 24 hours of symptoms appearing so quick action is vital. Over-the-counter remedies are not always effective, so a Vet visit is the best course of action. Your hamster will need antibiotics and rehydrating immediately. Many of the sick hamsters die from dehydration rather than the disease itself. The antibiotics are normally put in the water which is the least stressful to the hamster.
Care of the Sick Hamster
The ill hamster must be kept isolated from other hamsters. If you recently bought the hamster from a pet shop, then do inform the pet shop about the hamster’s sickness. Good hygiene is essential and you must wash your hands before and after attending to the sick animal. If you have other hamsters, then look after them first.
Clean out the cage about every three days, taking care not to stress your pet. It may not want food, but you can offer a little savoury baby food, taking care that it does not contain tomato or onion. Keep food dishes and water bottles close.
The Effects of Wet Tail
Should your hamster recover, damage may have been done to its internal organs, which can cause other health problems or an early death.
Wet Tail is an extremely serious disease for a young hamster, and it is possible that your hamster will not recover. Should your hamster die then it is important that you wait at least two weeks, cleaning and disinfecting the cage thoroughly several times before getting another one. Wooden toys should be burned, and water bottles thrown away. Buy new with your new hamster. You should also inform the pet shop where you bought your hamster.
Stress is one of the factors in causing Wet Tail, but some hamsters appear to be genetically susceptible to the disease. You should not breed from a hamster which has recovered from Wet Tail, and siblings from that hamster may also develop the disease.
Treating your new hamster gently and giving it time to settle into its new home before beginning to handle it will help to reduce the stress on the animal. Should you feel at all concerned about your new pet then do seek your Vet’s advice. Your hamster’s life may depend upon it.
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