Has my hamster got wet tail disease

Question

My hamster 'Shiny' is meant to be a russian dwarf but always appeared larger than the other hamster we had which is also believed to be a 'russian dwarf'. There is a bad smell coming from the cage and she is very lathargic. Also has a wet look all over her body and seems to have shrunk and gone very skinny.

i haven't noticed any discoloured poo around the cage but this can be dificult to notice as there are two hamsters.

Louisa

Answer 1

take her to the vet

Answer 2

Unfortunately it sounds exactly like 'Shiny' has wet-tail. Usually wet-tail as bad as this sounds is not very good at all. I would recommend taking her to the vet immediately. The vet will give you an antibiotic called baytril which can come in the form of a powder or liquid drops... most commonly the latter. In addition to how much baytril the vet advises you to give 'Shiny' you should supply some fresh cabbage cut into small bits. Because 'Shiny' may not want to eat on her own you might have to try and gently force a bit into his/her mouth.

Another issue... wet-tail spreads to other hamsters. It's very possible the other hamster is catching it now.

Another small note... hamsters are  solitary creatures in nature. They are perfectly happy being by themselves. I don't really suggest keeping them in the same cage together as they will most probably fight at some point. This may not sound like a big deal but when hamster fight they can would each other and it's not at all hard for a small bite to become a big deal with creatures so small.

Answer 3

I Would Advise To Go To The Vet asap

Answer 4

thats exactly what happened to my hamster, he was a russian dwarf too; russian dwarfs don't get wet tail, only syrians do, but they do get severe diarrhea, which mine had, he died not long ago.

i went to the vet and i was given some baytril antibiotic to give to my hamster, but this didn't really work well, still, you should really go to the vet, just in case

seperate the two hamsters - your other hamster could get ill as well

Answer 5

Take her to the vet, today.

Wet tail causes dehydration which can kill your hamster. The wet look may be a lack of grooming which is a definite sign of illness. This can quickly deteriorate, so you really want to get your hamster to a vet ASAP.

Answer 6

Please take her to a vet immediately!

Wet tail is a disease that happens only to syrian hamsters. However dwarfs can also have a diarhea similar to wet tail and if not treated, it can also be fatal leading to the death of the dwarf hamster. Please take your hamster immediately to a vet for anitbiotics and rehydration medicines.

Also immediately separate her from your other hamster. Diarrhea can be infectious and you do not want your other hamster to get it too.

Until you take her to a vet, keep your hamster warm and keep feeding her Pedialyte through a syringe or a spoon every 2 hours. Dehydration is the main problem with diarrhea and she can lose weight and look skinny due to loss of fluids.

The p**p is watery and since it cannot come out as solid, it sticks to the hamster's tail and back. That is why you can see the wet look but you cannot see any poo since it is coming out only watery.

Please take care of her immediately since diarrhea can be fatal but can be easily treated if you rehydrate her properly and take her to a vet for medicines. So hurry!

Answer 7

Take her to a vet as soon as possible. It sounds like it could possibly be wet tail disease, but only a vet will be able to clarify this for sure. Even if it is not wet tail disease, there may be something else wrong which the vet might be able to help with.

I hope she gets better soon!

Answer 8

You should go to the vet asap. This does sound like wte tail disease and that definantley needs to be treated very quickley.

Answer 9

i say go to the vet!

Answer 10

I would take her to the vet as soon as possible.

they can place her on the proper medications to get her better.