Hamsters make adorable pets, and it’s relatively easy to care for them. But new owners shouldn’t take them for granted because they are very susceptible to stress, which can trigger one of the nastiest conditions in the animal kingdom: wet tail.
Wet tail is a notorious ailment that many pet hamsters can experience. Additionally, owners must recognize the signs because this disease can take hold quickly and prove fatal. Here, we’ll look at everything you need to know about wet tail in pet hamsters, from symptoms to treatment.
1. Wet Tail Is a Bacterial Infection
Wet tail is a horrible illness that causes watery diarrhea. It’s the result of a nasty bacterial infection that causes unpleasant and dangerous symptoms. Lawsonia intracellularis, a type of bacteria, often triggers this condition. It most commonly impacts younger pet hamsters between three and 10 weeks old. However, it can impact hamsters at any point in their lives. It’s one of the most dangerous health conditions for Syrian hamsters, and owners must act swiftly to save their pets. This bacterial overgrowth in the gut can have tragic results if left unaddressed.
2. Stress and Poor Husbandry Cause Wet Tail
The main trigger of wet tail is poor husbandry. This refers to when owners don’t care for their pets properly. Maybe the hamster’s cage is too small, or the animal isn’t receiving the proper diet. If you care for your hamster properly, they could go their entire life without experiencing any serious health problems. Of course, if you ever have concerns about your pet rodent’s health, consult a vet who specializes in small animals.
3. Wet Tail Often Has a Poor Prognosis
One of the most unfortunate aspects of wet tail is that survival rates are low. Often, this is because owners often don’t realize that something is wrong until it’s too late. It also disproportionately impacts younger hamsters with compromised immune systems who simply don’t have the resistance to fight the infection.
This may seem very negative, but there’s hope: veterinarians can treat wet tail if owners seek prompt medical care. A vet can prescribe antibiotics and help save your hamster’s life. These treatments may not be 100% effective, but anything helps when looking to save your pet’s life!
4. Wet Tail Has Nasty Symptoms
Wet tail has many symptoms, some of which are also present in other health conditions.
The most notorious symptom is the one that gives this disease its name. An affected hamster will suffer from intense diarrhea because of the gut bacteria. The stool may be very watery, and it may even contain blood. A hamster will inadvertently drag its tail through the excrement, causing the wet tail effect. The hamster will naturally have an unkempt appearance because it won’t groom itself properly. There may also be an unpleasant odor inside the cage because of the unsanitary conditions and the hamster’s compromised state.
A sick hamster will also display other physical signs of illness, such as weight loss due to a lack of appetite. Eating will be painful because of the gut bacteria. Meanwhile, this will cause the hamster to have less energy and behave more lethargically than normal. Its behavior and posture won’t be normal.
It’s essential for owners to regularly check their hamsters and be aware of their regular behavior. This will make it easier to prevent wet tail from taking hold or at least mitigate its potentially devastating impact.
5. Wet Tail Can Spread Between Hamsters
Owners should know that wet tail is a very contagious disease, so it’s crucial to keep infected hamsters in isolation. Note that hamsters are solitary animals by nature. They don’t require or even like having the company of other hamsters. They’re not like pet rabbits or guinea pigs that are social animals and suffer from loneliness if isolated. Hamsters are more territorial and will fight each other if you force them to share the same cage. This will trigger stress and increase the risk of wet tail. At the very least, they’ll likely suffer wounds from biting and scratching each other. Separate your hamsters; they don’t need to be together!
6. Early Treatment for Wet Tail Is Essential
We can’t overstate how crucial it is to treat wet tail quickly. There’s a much higher chance of successful treatment with prompt vet care. Otherwise, your hamster may die very quickly. This may seem bleak, but it’s avoidable if you keep a close eye on your pet’s health. A good vet will prescribe antibiotics or wet tail drops. It’s wise for new hamster owners to keep a stock of these drops as an immediate measure. Nonetheless, we still advise going to the vet as quickly as possible. This will ensure your hamster’s best chance of survival.
7. Prevention Is Better Than Treatment
It’s much better to prevent wet tail than to treat it. Good husbandry is the most effective method. This involves:
- Ensuring that your hamster has an adequate cage. Syrian hamsters should have a minimum cage space of 900 square inches. Smaller is acceptable for dwarf and Chinese hamsters.
- Feeding your hamster a balanced diet, which includes good-quality pellets, fruit, and greens. You can also give them hay to offer extra fiber.
- Removing uneaten food and cleaning your hamster’s cage.
Hamsters need plenty of enrichment opportunities. Put a wheel in their cage for exercise and give them chew toys to maintain their dental health. Include plenty of hiding places, too, so they can disappear when they feel threatened. Hamsters are primarily nocturnal, so keep their cage away from bright sunlight. If you follow these basic steps, there’s less risk of them suffering health issues, like wet tail.
