What Is Hamster Wet Tail Disease?
📝 Summary
Wet tail, also called proliferative ileitis, is a serious intestinal disease in hamsters, common in young ones and often fatal. Here is what you need to know about it.
1 Symptoms
The main symptom is diarrhea, and the loose stool soils the tail, making it wet and dirty, which gives the disease its name. Beyond diarrhea, sick hamsters are listless, eat less, hunch, and dehydrate. They may stop grooming, and severe diarrhea causes sunken, dull eyes. Abdominal pain makes them irritable and hunched when moving or sitting; severe cases show blood in the stool or even rectal prolapse.
2 Causes
1. It appears most in nursing hamsters of 3 to 6 weeks, but any age can get it. Long-haired ‘teddy bear’ Syrians are most prone to it.
2. It is caused by bacteria, parasites, or fungi. Young 3 to 6 week olds easily catch it and often die. It is contagious to adult hamsters of any breed. Stress from weaning, environment changes, erratic diet, a dirty cage, or overcrowding can trigger it.
3 Treatment
Treat early:
1. A vet-prescribed antibiotic such as gentamicin, plus probiotics and an anti-diarrheal, is the usual approach. Diluted gentamicin in the water bottle often eases diarrhea within 1 to 3 days; probiotics help restore gut flora.
2. Because diarrhea causes dehydration, give fluids and a little diluted glucose, or an anti-diarrheal, to counter it.
3. During treatment keep the diet mild; stop fresh fruit and vegetables, which worsen diarrhea. Offer low-irritant lab blocks and easily digested food like oatmeal.
4. Isolate the sick hamster, wash its cage, and keep it in a warm, clean place to recover.
Want to learn more about pet health?
Explore our pet health channel for more science-based care guides
Read More Articles →