Why are my hamsters constantly getting wet tail?

Question

It all started about 4 years ago, I had a hamster Boo who was living great for a year and a half in my friend's plastic cage... Well, the cage started smelling bad, and my parents got fed up with it, so we bought a blue metal cage from Petco. A week after we got that cage, my hamster got wet tail and died the next day.... After the death, we cleaned the cage with bleach and warm water and got another hamster and that one got wet tail too. We honestly tried out many different things cleaning the cage-wise and got all new food and stuff, different diets, and put it in various locations (except my own bedroom which my mom is all lung-conscious about) and they all still died from wet tail. 4 years have passed, and we finally got a new cage, and we bought a robo hamster... well this little guy didnt like being touched to the least, so we returned him for a more friendly syrian hamster (who apparently are more susceptible to wet tail [didnt know til now]) and even with this new cage and everything he got wet tail too in a week!! even after the robo was fine for a month... and its not the pet store, my friend bought a hamster with me on the same day and his is doing just dandy.. if anyone can help me with this problem please please let me know... i think it has to do with something going on in my house (maybe cooking smells or something) but i can never be sure... anyways, any help would be appreciated. Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

If you've cleaned and bought new cages and are feeding a normal diet, the problem is likely your pet store.  There are a variety of infections that cause diarrhea in hamsters and they are easily spread in pet stores where they are often housed together in groups.  Not all of the animals will get it, of course, which is probably why your friend's hamster is fine.  

Try a new pet store and if your new hamster has diarrhea, get to the vet ASAP to have it treated.  

Answer 2

I have heard that stress is a reason that they get wet tail. You can get a treatment for it from most petstores. Its called dri tail. (cute huh?) Since you seem to have such bad luck with hamsters, if you find some you should keep it on hand so you don't have to rush out and buy it if your hamster gets it again. Or get a rat. They are one of the best pets in the world. Super friendly and love being handled and just plain love being with you. I'd like to hear anyone say that about a hamster! Lol!

Answer 3

Honestly, it sounds as though it's not something in the cage that's making the hamsters ill, but it's something they are exposed to in your HOUSE.

Perhaps move the location of the cage to some place else, however, if it's something in your house, the chances of preventing exposure is very slim. You might what to do some research on what airborne things are toxic or cause Wet Tail in hamsters.