Hamsters Wet Tail Disease

Wet tail disease in hamsters is actually not a problem with the tail, but rather the intestinal system. According to Dr. Nash at peteducation.com, the main symptom of wet tail disease is diarrhea, which causes the tail to become wet and dirty.

  1. Cause

    • Wet tail disease is caused by the bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis, states Dr. Nash. This type of bacteria can also affect other species of animals including swine, ferrets, horses, dogs and primates. Fortunately, Lawsonia intracellularis does not seem to cause problems in humans.

    Who Gets Wet Tail

    • According to petwebsite.com, hamsters often get wet tail due to stress, especially when a hamster is weaned from its mother. Many people purchase hamsters from pet stores and find that their new pet gets wet tail soon after. This is likely because most hamsters at pet stores are about 3 to 6 months old, which is the time many hamsters are weaned. In addition, wet tail disease seems to be common among long-haired teddy bear hamsters.

    Symptoms

    • Hamsters with wet tail will have liquid diarrhea and are typically lethargic and anorexic, states Dr. Nash. As a result of the diarrhea, the hamster's anus and tail areas are often wet and dirty. The hair around the area is also often matted. Diarrhea can cause the hamster to become dehydrated, which may cause its eyes to become sunken and dull. In addition, blood may also be present in the diarrhea and the hamster may be irritated due to abdominal pain.

    Treatment

    • Hamsters with wet tail disease should be seen by a veterinarian immediately, as even with treatment, hamsters can die of wet tail within 48 hours. Wet tail is typically treated with antibiotics to kill the bacteria, states Dr. Nash. In addition, fluids are typically given to combat dehydration and antidiarrheal drugs are used to eliminate the loose stool.

    Prevention

    • Wet tail is often prevented by keeping the hamster's stress level to a minimum. Allow your new hamster to become familiar with its new surroundings by itself for a few days before introducing it to other animals. Also, avoid handling the hamster for a couple of days to prevent additional stress. According to petwebsite.com, wet tail may be genetically inherited; therefore, avoid hamsters with relatives who have had wet tail.