How to Cure Hamster Diarrhea

Diarrhea in hamsters should be treated immediately.

Diarrhea in hamsters is also called wet tail, and a serious case of diarrhea can be fatal to a hamster due to dehydration. If you observe wet feces in your hamster's cage, if its tail is constantly dirty and if it constantly sits in a hunched posture, your hamster likely has diarrhea. Quick treatment is essential when dealing with diarrhea in hamsters.

Things You'll Need

• Quarantine cage
• Water bottle
• Clean bedding
• Bleach
• Unflavored Pedialyte

Instructions

1. Contact your veterinarian. Depending on the severity of the situation, the veterinarian may request that you bring your animal in for emergency hydration and treatment.

2. Isolate your hamster in a quarantine cage. The quarantine cage should be well-ventilated, but it should also have plenty of bedding to keep your hamster warm.

3. Fill the hamster's water bottle with unflavored Pedialyte. This will help your hamster stay hydrated.

4. Mix bleach and water to create a solution that is 5 percent bleach.

5. Wash the cage and toys that the hamster used previously with the bleach solution and rinse thoroughly, until you can no longer smell bleach. Acting quickly can prevent the illness from striking the rest of your colony.

6. Change the bedding daily, and remove soiled bedding as soon as you see it.

7. Check on your ill hamster regularly, and at the first sign of the hamster worsening, take it to the vet.

References

• Hamsteriffic: Illness Guide
• Exotic Pet Vet: Hamster Care