If you have a Syrian hamster, you may have heard of wet tail disease. Are you worried that your hamster might have it now? Or are you wondering how to prevent this disease in the future?
En réalité, la « queue humide » est un syndrome et non une maladie unique. Le terme « queue humide » décrit tout état médical qui entraîne chez le hamster des symptômes de diarrhée et apparentés. Bien qu’elle soit particulièrement courante chez les jeunes hamsters et les hamsters syriens, elle peut toucher les hamsters de tous âges et de toutes races.
This guide will not only tell you what wet tail syndrome is, but also how to treat it when it disrupts your pet's health. You'll also learn how to prevent this common but devastating disease.
Hamsters are susceptible to a multitude of different conditions, no different from any other animal you might adopt as a pet or companion. Among these conditions, wet tail syndrome is widely regarded as one of the most potentially fatal. It's in every hamster owner's interest to know what symptoms to look out for, how to guide treatment and what they can do to prevent future outbreaks of the disease.
What are the symptoms of wet tail syndrome?
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What are the signs of wet tail syndrome?
To put it simply, wet tail syndrome can manifest itself in hamsters through a series of signs such as:
- A dirty, wet tail
- Reduced appetite
- Apathetic behavior (lethargy)
- Dehydration (hollow eyes)
- Aggressive reactions and increased irritability
- Changes in posture
- Blood in the stool
The wet appearance of the tail is often the first thing that draws hamster owners' attention to the state of their pet's health. However, many other symptoms can also indicate different, unrelated illnesses.
What causes wet tail syndrome?
There are many potential causes for wet tail syndrome, including bacterial infections, parasitic infections, inappropriate diet and stress. Living in a dirty or overcrowded pen for too long can lead to wet tail disease.
It's important to note that dirty cages are not the main cause of wet tail syndrome, so if you make sure your hamster always has a clean home and still contracts the disease, know that the cage probably has nothing to do with it. Not sure? Check out our guide to how often you should clean your hamster's cage.
The most important factor contributing to the development of wet tail syndrome is stress. Wet tail affects young hamsters more than any other group due to the stress associated with prematurely separating baby hamsters from their mothers, especially if they are sent to a new home immediately after separation.
Noisy living conditions, being handled too much or too soon, and stressful encounters with other animals can create an atmosphere in the hamster's body that increases the animal's chances of developing diarrhea.
Is wet tail syndrome fatal?
For many hamsters, wet tail disease can unfortunately be a death sentence. However, if you can spot the first symptoms and have them treated by a vet within 24 hours, your hamster may survive.
Your hamster is at particularly high risk if he's very young, very old, or if he's ill with some other condition while suffering from wet tail syndrome. In many cases, the prognosis is fatal.
Which hamsters are most at risk?
It seems that mature dwarf hamsters are generally less affected by this disorder. Remember that any hamster - regardless of breed or age - can succumb to the damaging effects of wet tail syndrome.
As this is a stress-related disease, and stress spares no hamster, all can potentially be affected. Long-furred Syrian hamsters are the most commonly affected by this health problem, especially those aged between three and six weeks.
How to treat wet tail syndrome in hamsters?
The only way to ensure a favorable prognosis for your hamster is to consult a veterinarian as soon as you notice the signs of wet tail syndrome.
Treatment must be administered promptly to ensure that your hamster lives as long as possible, ideally two to four years. Supportive care, such as antibiotics, rehydration, analgesics and other treatments, will be prescribed by your veterinarian. You will be given precise instructions to follow, including careful monitoring of your sick pet. The vet will suggest diagnostic tests to identify the underlying cause of wet tail syndrome in your hamster, as this must be treated if your pet is to recover.
There is no home treatment, no natural remedy and no self-healing.
If your hamster doesn't get to the vet in time, wet tail syndrome can unfortunately be fatal. Nevertheless, there are things you can do at home while waiting for your vet's appointment and afterwards, to make your hamster as comfortable as possible during this difficult period.
Quarantine and cleaning
The first thing to do when you notice signs suggesting wet tail disease is to quarantine your hamster, away from other animals, especially other hamsters. Place him in an enclosure separate from his usual habitat, where he'll be safe. This space should be warm, secure and out of direct sunlight.
Now you can get on with cleaning everything your hamster usually comes into contact with.
Clean the cage with soap and water, but avoid using antibacterial soaps, as the chemicals can irritate hamster skin. If you do use an antibacterial cleaner, make sure it's pet-approved and marked as safe for hamster cages. Discard their current litter and put it in the garbage can immediately.
Clean their toys, water bottles, bowls, wheels, hamster balls and other items they use with the same mild soap and water you used to clean their cage.
Some items can be immersed in boiling water if you're concerned about residual bacteria. Always remember to wash your hands after handling your sick hamster or any of its belongings! Don't try to bathe your hamster. This is stressful for hamsters, even under the best conditions, and can worsen your pet's condition.
What to do after the veterinary consultation
After the antibiotic treatment prescribed by the vet, you should keep your hamster away from others until all symptoms of wet tail disease have disappeared and their entire course of antibiotics has been completed. Until then, your hamster's health is not guaranteed. Adopt these preventive behaviors when you bring your hamster home after the diagnosis of wet tail disease:
Make sure their enclosure, toys, bottles and bowls are clean and completely dry before reintroducing them to their cage. Never miss a dose of their prescribed treatment.
These drugs play a crucial role in eliminating the bacteria responsible for your hamster's illness and supporting your hamster's other bodily functions. They can only be effective if taken exactly as prescribed. Wash your hands after handling your hamster.
Use an eyedropper to make sure your hamster is getting enough water, especially if he doesn't seem to respond to his bottle or if you can't be sure he's drinking enough. Keep a close eye on their food and water intake.
Your veterinarian may recommend the use of probiotics to help your hamster's body eliminate any remaining infection. Probiotics are beneficial for overall gut health, but should not be given to your hamster without the advice of your vet. If you follow all these steps, and have consulted a veterinarian at the first sign of illness in your hamster, you can look forward to a bright future. Sick hamsters need to be handled with care, especially if they have wet tail disease, which can be fatal.
How can you prevent the onset of wet tail disease?
As with most other diseases, you can avoid wet tail disease by taking preventive measures to promote your hamster's continued good health. Unfortunately, even the best-cared-for hamsters can fall ill with wet tail disease, but with proper care, you can minimize their risk of falling ill or dying from it.
These tips are simply good practice for any hamster owner. They should be followed regardless of your pet's age, breed or state of health.
- Change their litter and wash their cage once a week with a mild (non-antibacterial) soap.
- At the same time, wash all their toys, food bowls, water bottles, wheels and anything else they come into contact with in their cage.
- Ask the store or breeder where you get your new hamster about wet tail disease. If they don't know what you're talking about, don't buy a hamster from them. If they don't know the signs of wet tail, they may not know if they're selling you a sick hamster.
- When you buy a new hamster, make sure a vet gives them a clean bill of health before introducing them to other animals or people in your home - especially other hamsters.
- To limit the stress on your hamster when you introduce it to its new environment, minimize handling and keep the same food it ate at the seller's or breeder's premises.