Teddy Bear Hamster Illnesses

Teddy bear hamsters, also known as fancy hamsters, long-haired hamsters and angora hamsters, are distinguished by their long and fluffy fur as well as their more fragile and sensitive natures. According to the Dog Breed Info Center website's page on hamsters, "Teddy bear hamsters and other genetic varieties tend to be much more susceptible to disease and sensitive to antibiotics and other drugs than the short haired golden hamster." Stress is particularly dangerous for teddy bears.

  1. Digestive Problems

    • Often precipitated by stress, "wet tail" is a highly infectious bacterial infection resulting in severe diarrhea and consequent dehydration. According to the website Animal Hospitals USA, "Long-haired teddy bear hamsters are highly susceptible." Affected teddy bears are lethargic and hunch up in pain. Their tails and anal areas become dirty and wet. Wet tail is an emergency and veterinary treatment is required immediately. Salmonellosis results from eating salmonella bacteria contaminated fruits and vegetables. Tapeworms, another digestive problem, are quite common in teddy bears and other hamsters.

    Cancers

    • Cancer is common in hamsters, with a higher prevalence in females due to their reproductive tracts being a common cancer site. Malignant cancers are fast growing and kill hamsters quickly. Hamsters are also prone to many benign cancers. These are slow growing and not a death sentence per se. Most common cancers in hamsters include those involving thyroid and adrenal glands and skin tumors. Veterinarians can remove small external tumors however, internal tumors are more difficult to diagnose and can be impossible to remove.

    Skin Problems

    • Lumps and bumps could be cancer or an abscess. Abscesses (hard, painful lumps under the skin) can result from bite wounds from fighting other hamsters or from other types of punctures. For instance, hamsters get abscesses in their cheek pouches from their food or bedding materials. Demodectic mange affects hamsters and isn't a serious problem in itself, however it's often set off by an underlying condition such as cancer or kidney disease. Fleas and lice affect hamsters in multi-pet households.

    Musculoskeletal and Joint Problems

    • Cage paralysis is generalized weakness that results from lack of exercise. "The symptoms include the hamster appearing to be semi-crippled by dragging its back end around," according to Hamsterific.com. When a small cage is the problem, a larger cage, toys and an exercise wheel usually solve it. When vitamin E and D deficiency contribute to weakness, supplements help. Some hamsters, including the teddy bear, have a hereditary defect which starts as progressive hind limb paralysis from about 6 months of age. Unfortunately, there's no cure.

    Expert Insight

    • According to the Types Of Hamsters website, "By being alert to small symptoms and changes in patterns, you can help in quick diagnosis of hamster illness and this can go a long way in dealing with the problems. Among the things that can help you detect illnesses or diseases are changes in the eating habits of your pet, modified physical activity and also general alertness level. It is also helpful to do periodic physical examinations of the hamster to catch skin troubles or cavities, lesions and other injuries." This is especially important with teddy bears because they are more fragile.