Diseases of Hamsters

Because hamsters are so small, an illness can quickly kill them. They need to be observed every day in to see if they are behaving differently from usual. This behavior change is the first sign of hamster disease. The book, "Training Your Pet Hamster," recommends watching hamsters when they are at their most active at dawn and dusk.

  1. Wet Tail

    • One of the most common hamster diseases is a bacterial infection commonly called "wet tail" because it causes watery diarrhea. Wet tail's proper name is proliferative ileitis. It is usually seen in Syrian or teddy bear hamsters and very rarely in dwarf hamsters. It is thought to be caused by stress from weaning, traveling or from another underlying illness. According to Animal Hospitals USA, the death rate for wet tail is high, but some hamsters have survived with immediate veterinary care.

    Diabetes

    • This is similar to diabetes type 1 in humans in that it seems to run in hamster families. According to Hamsterrffic.com, Russian or Campbell's dwarf hamsters are more likely to get diabetes than larger Syrian or teddy bear hamsters. Symptoms usually start when the hamster is 7 to 9 months old. Symptoms include drinking and urinating more frequently, shaking or feeling cold due to low body temperature. If not taken to a vet, the hamster will go into a coma and die.

    Glaucoma

    • This is about the only eye disease hamsters can get. According to Hamsterrific.com, it usually affects dwarf hamsters and not larger hamsters. The disease causes a buildup of fluid pressure in the eyes. Usually, the hamster becomes blind. Treatment is to surgically remove the eye.

    Cancer

    • All species of pet hamsters are susceptible to cancer. Treatment is usually surgical removal of any tumors. If caught early enough, the hamster can recover and have a good quality of life. Cancer symptoms can appear as strange lumps, often on the testicles of males. Females may develop internal tumors in their ovaries. Sudden weight loss and not keeping up with grooming can also be symptoms of cancer.

    Rabies

    • Like any other animal, hamsters can get rabies, although it is incredibly rare for a pet hamster to get the disease. Hamsters stay indoors in a cage and are unlikely to be exposed to other animals. Also, because hamsters are so small, any bite from a larger animal would likely be fatal.