Hamster wet tail ranks number one amongst the most prevalent and infectious diseases in hamsters. A study also found it to be the most common cause of death in pet hamsters. The mortality rate of this illness is estimated to be around 90%.
Due to the seriousness of hamster wet tail, it is critical for pet owners to know its early clinical signs and the importance of timely treatment.
What Is Wet Tail in Hamsters?
In medical terms, hamster wet tail is referred to as proliferative ileitis. It means the inflammation of the small intestine due to the fast growth of mucosal cells.
It hinders the proper absorption of nutrients to the small intestine. As a result, gastric distress occurs mainly in the form of diarrhoea. This causes the rear end and tail of hammies to be constantly wet.
What Hamsters Are the Most Susceptible to Wet Tail?
Any hamster can develop wet tail. However, young hamsters in their weaning stage, typically at the age of 3 to 6 weeks old, often come down with this illness because of their underdeveloped immune systems.
Most hamsters sold in pet shops are usually in the stage of weaning. They may suffer from wet tail just after getting brought home by pet owners.
Elderly hamsters are highly at risk of contracting it too due to their inability to clean up themselves and their weakened immunity against diseases.
Wet tail is commonly seen in Syrian hamsters, particularly the long-haired variety since they have long fur. The breed tends to develop this ailment under 12 weeks of age. Wet tail rarely affects Roborovskis hammies.
How Does a Hamster Get Wet Tail?
Wet tail in hamsters has no known definitive cause as of yet. However, certain factors have been observed to trigger this highly infectious disease such as:
- Stress caused by the living environment
- Keeping hamsters in a dirty cage
- Consuming too many hamster treats
- Rapid bacterial growth in the stomach
- Result of a stomach upset induced by antibiotic treatment
Symptoms of Wet Tail in Hamsters
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss
- Dehydration
- Unkempt fur
- Distended stomach
- Hunched position
- Bloody stools
Clinical signs of hamster wet tail are closely similar to the symptoms of other diseases such as urinary tract infection, polyuria, and uterine problems.
Sick hamsters need to get checked by an exotic vet for an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment.
What Do I Do If My Hamster Has Wet Tail?
If you cannot get hold of an exotic vet, here are the things you should do until they are available:
To Prevent Contamination
- Separate the hamster with wet tail from other hammies to lower their danger of catching the disease.
- Take out all items that your sick hamster has come into contact with and clean them thoroughly. This will keep the contagion from spreading.
- For the same reason stated above, always wash your hands after handling your sick hamster before touching healthy hammies.
To Keep Your Sick Hamster Well-Fed and Hydrated
- Temporarily stop feeding your sick hamster with fruits and vegetables. These treats have a high water content that can worsen its condition. Stick to feeding your pet dry foods such as steamed brown rice and dry bread or oats.
- If your hamster refuses to eat dry food, syringe feed it with plain vegetable baby food. Make sure it does not contain other ingredients or it will further upset your pet’s stomach.
- Offer your sick hamster a drop of water every half hour if it stops drinking. The liquid should be unflavored and not cold. Use a syringe to administer it to your pet’s lips.
To Relieve Your Sick Pet’s Discomfort
- Avoid bathing your sick hamster. Clean off your pet’s rear end and tail using wet cotton if it allows you to. Dispose of the used cotton properly.
- Place your pet in a dim room and away from direct sunlight. The temperature should be around 68 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 23 degrees Celsius) to prevent it from overheating.
- Be sure the place where you keep your hamster is quiet and comfortable. Do not allow children and other pets that can cause raucous noises from entering the room.
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How to Treat Wet Hamster Tail
The only way to treat wet tail is by administering hamster-safe antibiotics and rehydration through subcutaneous fluids. Your pet will also be given anti-diarrhoea medication and supplemental feeding.
Due to the high mortality rate of this pervasive disease, it is often asked: “Can a hamster survive wet tail?” A hamster can survive wet tail if given proper treatment early. However, this is a rare outcome.
Hamster wet tail can cause death 48 hours after its early symptoms start showing.
In most cases, hamster wet tail has a poor prognosis because of its long incubation period, which is around 7 days. Elderly hamsters have a lower survival rate than younger hamsters since their immune system is already deteriorating.
How to Prevent Hamster Wet Tail
1. Choose a Healthy Hamster.
Be careful when bringing home a new hamster. It is not uncommon for sickly hammies to be sold in pet shops.
Avoid them since their poor health makes them highly susceptible to hamster wet tail. Before welcoming a new hamster, always check for signs of illness such as:
- Lack of energy
- Ruffled fur
- Hair loss
- Huddling in the corner of the cage
- Eye and nose discharge
- Sneezing
A healthy hamster is curious and active in nature. They are well-groomed and have clean coats and clear eyes. Their rear end is spotless and dry.
2. Clean the Hamster Cage Regularly.
Keeping your pet’s cage tidy prevents harmful bacteria from populating. So be sure to wash its food and water bowls and get rid of soiled bedding daily.
Replace the bedding with a fresh one at least once a week. Deep cleaning of the cage should be done once a month.
3. Provide a Peaceful Living Environment.
The hamster cage must be placed far from areas with heavy foot traffic. Look for a quiet room located away from busy parts of your home.
It should not be placed near appliances that emit noises and vibrations that could stress out your pet such as the radio or TV. Also, make sure to put it in a shady area with a stable temperature.
4. Limit Handling Your Pet Hamster.
Many hamsters do not enjoy being handled, but they can tolerate it. If you have just brought home a new hammy, avoid holding them for 2 to 3 days.
Give it time to acclimate itself to its new home. Additionally, do not touch your pet whilst it is sleeping or eating.
5. Do Not Let Your Hammy Overindulge in Treats.
We have already talked about how eating excessive amounts of fruits and veggies can upset the stomach of pet hamsters.
So restrict their consumption of these treats to half or a full teaspoon. Do not feed it to them for more than 1 to 2 times a week.
6. Keep Up with Annual Check-Ups.
Whilst health checkups are not mandatory for pet hamsters, it is vital in safeguarding them from wet tail.
Vet examinations help spot and treat illnesses during their early stage, thereby increasing your hammy’s chances of living a long life. Ideally, your pet should have health check-ups once or twice a year.
Always keep an eye on behavioural and physical changes when at home. If wet tail hamsters symptoms begin to arise, drive your hammy to an exotic vet immediately.
FAQs About Hamster Wet Tail
1. What Does Wet Tail Look Like on a Hamster?
Wet tail on a hamster is characterised by the dampness around the anus and tail caused by incessant diarrhoea.
In some cases, blood can be found around the rectum and in the stools of affected hammies.
2. Is Wet Tail Painful for Hamsters?
Yes, wet tail is painful for hamsters since it triggers irregularities in their bowel movements, leading them to become weak and lethargic.
Hammies with this type of illness tend to exhibit a hunched-up posture because of the discomfort it brings.
3. How Do I Know if My Hamster Has Wet Tail?
The best way to know if your hamster has wet tail is to get it properly diagnosed by an exotic vet.
Symptoms like diarrhoea and loose stools are telltale signs of the disease. However, they also tend to be clinical signs of other health issues. Coming up with a diagnosis by yourself can lead to wrong results.
4. Can Wet Tail Drops Cure Wet Tail?
No, wet tail drops on their own cannot cure hamster wet tail. It does not address issues like dehydration and bacterial proliferation in the stomach.
This type of treatment only serves as a stopgap if you cannot contact an exotic vet. Once they are available, bring your hamster in immediately for proper treatment.
Conclusion
Hamster wet tail is a very contagious disease with a high mortality rate. Pets that come down with this illness need timely treatment to increase their chances of survival.
Unfortunately, young and elderly hamsters are highly susceptible to succumbing to wet tail.
Protect them from its devastating effects by carrying out precautionary measures like providing a clean and quiet living environment and regular health check-ups.
Hamsters are fragile pets in need of great care. Find out more ways to keep them safe and healthy, especially during hot weather, by reading our article 6 Essential Hamster Summer Care Tips.
