Hamsters Treatment for Wet Tail

Hamsters stricken with wet tail need veterinary attention.

Wet tail, also known as Proliferative Ileitis, is a common intestinal disease affecting hamsters of all ages. What may appear to be a common bout of diarrhea may be wet tail if the hamster has recently endured a stressful situation. When the first symptoms of wet tail are discovered, call a veterinarian. The small rodent pets can easily succumb to the disease in as little as 48 hours if treatment is not administered.

Population

Young hamsters between the ages of three to six weeks, long-haired hamsters and those in stressful situations are the greatest populations to experience wet tail, according to Doctor's Foster and Smith's website. When hamsters are transported, undergo surgery, have a dietary change or are exposed to a loud, boisterous environment they are more susceptible to wet tail.

Symptoms

A hamster with wet tail will have moist fur around their anus, a strong fecal odor and act lethargic. Watery diarrhea may become entangled in the fur around the hamster's rear end. Since the hamster lacks energy, he will forgo grooming. Because wet tail is an intestinal disease, the hamster may curl up in a ball, walk with a visible hunched back or rest more often in response to abdominal cramping.

Dehydration, sunken eyes and a possible protruding rectum are common among hamsters experiencing advanced stages of wet tail. If blood is seen near the anus or in the stool, the disease is very advanced.

Causes

When a hamster makes oral contact with hamster feces infected with the Lawsonia intracellularis bacteria, he can get sick with wet tail. Food and water sources can unknowingly become contaminated with microscopic pieces of infected feces at hamster breeders, during shipping or in overcrowded cage conditions.

Remedy

Immediately separate the sick hamster from other hamsters so the bacteria doesn't spread. All cages, carrying cases and play areas the hamster has touched should be sanitized with a mild bleach water solution. On the way to the vet appointment, keep the hamster warm, hydrated and clean. The veterinarian will administer anti-diarrhea medications, antibiotics and fluids to deter dehydration.

Prevention/Solution

Try to prevent wet tail after bringing a new hamster home by offering him the same food he was eating at the previous location, reduce noise (such as loud televisions) and don't handle the hamster for the first week while he adjusts to the new smells, sounds and sights of his home.

Clean the hamster's environment on a weekly basis to reduce the chances of wet tail. Kill bacteria with sanitizing solution and spot clean heavily soiled areas of the cage throughout the week.

References

• Doctors Foster and Smith: Wet Tail in Hamsters: Cause, Treatment and Prevention

Resources

• Hamsterrific: A Wet Tail Primer
• Pet Info Packets: Hamsters