Hamster Illnesses and Diseases
This section will run through the common hamster illnesses and diseases that affect the pet hamster. It's meant to be an information section only, if your pet hamster is visibly sick or ill, please visit your local vet and have it attended to. Hamsters are little creatures that can get very sick rapidly and as with most diseases with any animals, the earlier you catch it and start treatment, the better the chances are that your hamster will make a full recovery. As mentioned before, hamsters don't have a very long life span (sad I know) but the joys that they will bring in their short little lives with you is worth the pain at the end when it comes time to say 'good bye'.
Hamster illnesses and diseases - digestive problems
- Wet tail - this is a bacterial infection of the gut resulting in diarrhoea. The diarrhoea is severe and droppings are pale, very mushy and may or may not contain mucus. It is called wet tail because the diarrhoea is so severe that the tail and anal area of the hamster is often dirty and 'wet'. Affected hamsters are lethargic, hunched up and are often in pain. This is an emergency situation as affected hamsters can get dehydrated very quickly - it is therefore vital that at the first onset of signs, veterinary treatment is sought immediately. Wet tail is often precipitated by stress which is why it is often seen in hamsters who have just been weaned (very stressful for them) and many owners who have just acquired their new pet hamsters from the pet store would encounter wet tail as a disease. It is highly infectious and any equipment that the sick hamster has had contact with should be disinfected thoroughly and left for a period of a few weeks before allowing another hamster to use it.
- Salmonellosis - this is the same organism that can (and will) affect humans so be warned. Hamsters by and large acquire it by eating food contaminated with the Salmonella bacteria. Therefore it is best that you wash your vegetables and fruits well before you feed it to your hamsters and to practice common sense hygiene precautions eg washing your hands after playing with your hamsters, cleaning their cage out etc...The problem with Salmonellosis is that your newly acquired pet hamster could very have the disease but isn't showing signs of it so hygiene measures are your best protection. Hamsters with this illness can suffer from sudden death (ie you wake up and find them dead) or they can suffer a chronic wasting disease where they just seem to lose weight and fail to thrive.
- Tapeworms - this disease is quite common in hamsters although they may not have many symptoms. Owners usually only find out when they see the worm segments in the droppings or on the hamster's anus. Heavy infestations can cause weight loss but this is rare. There have been instances where owners have inadvertently acquired tapeworm infections from their pet hamsters (usually kids as they aren't very particular about hygiene). A trip to the vet (and the doctor) would solve the problem quicksmart.
Hamster illnesses and diseases - cancers
Cancers are quite common as a disease in hamsters - anything that has such a short lifespan is prone to cancers. There seems to be a higher prevalence of cancers in female hamsters than male hamsters - but this is only because the female reproductive tract is often a site for cancers hence the skewed results. As with most cancers, they can be benign or malignant. Malignant cancers are fast growing and inevitably kill the affected hamsters with great rapidity. Benign cancers as their name implies are often slow growing and is not a death sentence per se. Hamsters seem to be quite prone to getting many different types of benign cancers. The most common cancers in hamsters are ones involving they thyroid and adrenal glands. Signs include hair loss and alterations in their behaviour. Skin tumors are also common in hamsters. Whilst surgery is an option, most hamster owners will opt for euthanasia when the word 'cancer' surfaces whether the condition is benign or not.
Hamster illnesses and diseases - skin problems
- Lumps and bumps - if you discover a lump on your hamster don't just leap to the conclusion that it's cancer (it could be), more often than not, it could be an abscess. Abscesses are usually caused by bite wounds from fighting. These often form hard painful lumps under the skin where the puncture wound has closed up. Hamsters can also get abscesses in their cheek pouches - these would've resulted from puncture wounds from food or bedding materials. If you suspect an abscess in your hamster, you will need to take it into the vet to have it drained and antibiotic therapy started.
- Mange - If you notice hair loss in your hamsters, then it could have mange. Demodectic mange does affect some hamsters to a degree and is usually not a serious problem except for the fact that it's often associated with some underlying disease that's set it off eg kidney problems, cancer.
- Fleas and Lice - these are common diseases in hamsters where other pets (eg cats) are present in the household. You will need to see your vet for flea control measures which will need to include ALL the animals in the household.
Hamster illnesses and diseases - musculoskelatal and joint problems
Hamsters can suffer from what is known as cage paralysis - this is generalized weakness that results due to lack of exercise and a small cage is usually the problem. Choose the largest hamster cage you can afford because your little friend deserves to be in spacious surrounds. Generally providing them with adequate exercise - see hamster toys and a larger cage would solve the problem. Sometimes a lack of Vitamin E and D could contribute to weakness and paralysis, if this is the case then vitamin supplementation helps. Some Syrian hamsters also have a hereditary defect which often starts as a progressive hind limb paralysis from 6 months of age. There is no cure for this hereditary disease condition.
Other hamster items
Other hamster items
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