What causes wet tail in hamsters?
Stress is usually the main culprit of wet tail. Young hamsters get moved from a breeder or vendor to a pet store, to a new home, and sometimes get returned to the store after that, all within a period of a few weeks. This would stress anyone out—especially a tiny baby hamster.
What happens if you leave a hamster with wet tail?
Wet tail is a serious illness and what makes it incredibly scary is the fact that when it is left untreated, a hamster’s health could rapidly deteriorate and die in a span of 24 to 48 hours. Not only that, the wet tail disease can also be quite contagious which isn’t good if you have other hamsters around.
What should I use to clean my hamster’s tail?
Use a cotton ball or a q-tip to very gently clean the hamster’s tail if necessary – but only if you think you can do so without stressing your hamster any further. Do everything you can to minimise the amount of stress your hamster experiences.
What to do if a hamster is not eating or drinking?
Finally, if your hamster is not eating or drinking then you can help them using a technique called “scruffing”. Scruffing involves holding the hamster by the skin on the back of its neck so that their mouth opens, then gently feeding small amounts of food and squirting small amounts of water into their mouths.
Is it normal for hamster to have wet tail?
Luckily, hamster wet tail signs are relatively easy to spot. Symptoms include; Of course, these symptoms aren’t exclusive to wet tail. Before you panic, there are other causes of diarrhea in hamsters, like diarrhea associated with certain antibiotics.
What is wet tail and why is it serious?
With a little research and preparation, you’ll be able to give your hamster the care he needs. While hamsters are often relatively healthy, they can develop a condition called wet tail disease. Wet tail is a bacterial infection that can be fatal to hamsters if left untreated.
What’s the difference between dwarf and teddy bear hamsters?
Dwarf hamsters do not get wet tail while teddy bear hamsters, known for their tail nubs, are the most commonly afflicted.
How can I get my hamster to stop licking its tail?
Squeeze a single drop of the solution from the dropper and touch it to the hamster’s lips. The surface tension of the solution will cause the drop to soak the hamster’s mouth, which it will then lick dry. This should be done every half-hour to hour, if possible.
