Raymond WhitneyHamsters are lovely, but they are also incredibly delicate. If you’ve ever had hamsters, you know how unpredictable they can be when it comes to being sick.
It’s mind-boggling and heartbreaking to think that a baby can only live for 18 months to three years. We don’t know why they die so quickly.
A complicated explanation will be given, but we can begin to clear up some of the confusion. Wet tail disease, colds, and even heart disorders can affect hamsters, making them extremely vulnerable.
Those who live in cramped quarters and eat a poor diet have shorter lifespans. They will have long and happy lives if they are fed and cared for properly.
That said, you can help your hamster if you have the right information, and we’ll show you how.
What is ‘Wet Tail’ Disease?
Wet Tail’ is a term that refers to diarrhea caused by the combination of microorganisms and stress.
There is numerous terminology used by veterinarians to describe this condition, including “terminal ileitis,” “regional enteritis,” and even “enzootic intestinal adenocarcinoma.”.
Regardless of the nomenclature used, this is a serious disease with a short incubation period and a high mortality rate.
It is common for the bacteria to be strains of Lawsonia intracellularis if the hamster is under 10 weeks old, and one of the following bacteria with older hamsters;
- Proteus morganii
- Clostridium difficile
- Escherichia coli
- Clostridium pilliforde
The first sign of an infection is always the same, no matter what the cause is. The first 24 to 48 hours after your hamster gets Wet Tail is crucial, as the disease has a 90% mortality rate.
Severe lethargy, quick weight loss, poor fur maintenance/appearance, or “hunching down” for no apparent reason are all indicators of a wet tail.
If you notice any of these warning signals, you’ll need to take action right away.
Do hamsters get heart disease?
Older hamsters and even young ones can die from heart disease. Although competent breeders are aware of difficulties like this and are more careful with the pairings of their breeding stock than your average pet store or other commercial animal providers, overbreeding is a major contributor to this problem.
It is possible for hamsters of any age to develop cardiac problems, including young and old ones.
There are many different types of cardiomyopathy and polymyopathy, but the most prevalent is Polymyopathy, which is caused by a recessive gene that causes muscular weakness.
While Polymyopathy affects all of the body’s muscles, Cardiomyopathy only affects the heart muscles, which can lead to heart failure.
People who suffer from this condition experience a loss of balance, weariness, and an overall feeling of weakness.
70 percent of older hamsters have atrial thrombosis, which is caused by genuine heart failure. Constant, rapid breathing and blue feet are common symptoms, and death usually happens within a week after the onset.
Often, congestive heart disease is to blame for the abrupt death of a juvenile hamster for no apparent reason.
Essentially, the hamster’s cardiac muscles are no longer able to adequately circulate blood throughout its body. If you see any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor immediately.
Did you know that hamsters can catch colds from humans?
In addition to catching a common cold from people, hamsters can also get the flu from infected humans. You must be extremely careful with our fluffy pals because their constitutions are extremely delicate.
Hamsters can get a cold from a variety of sources, including having their cage in a drafty area or even being given a bath, all of which cause stress to the animal and remove the protective oils from its fur.
What can you do to help keep your hamster happy and healthy?
There are so many things that might go wrong with your pet that it’s easy to get overwhelmed, so take a deep breath and take a moment to calm yourself.
You don’t have any control over anything. Listed below are several ways in which you can provide a hand:
In order to prevent the death of your pet, do not attempt to treat Wet Tail sickness on your own if you see any of the following symptoms.
Your hamster should be taken to the vet as soon as possible.
Even if you can’t prevent a hamster’s heart from developing inherited cardiac abnormalities, you can avoid them from worsening.
Older hamsters may benefit from a reduction in their salt intake, either altogether or by rationing out salty goodies on a case-by-case basis.
Also, be sure to keep their enclosure in the most stress-free environment possible.
If you’re sick with a cold or the flu, avoid handling your hamsters. Prevention is better than cure. Clean your hands properly and wear gloves if you must move the hamsters’ cages for cleaning. Bathing your pet hamster is also discouraged.
Take charge of your hamster’s environment by keeping the cage clean, changing the food on a regular basis, and locating the hamster in a calm area.
Cats are known to gaze at people while they aren’t looking, so it might be as simple as closing the door to keep them out.
An easy way to verify that you’re not overheating or underheating your Hammie is to use a sticker to read the temperature.
Final Words
The fragility of hamsters has been the focus of our discussion today. In order to assist you in better understanding how and why people die young and what you can do to help avoid it, we’re not here to terrify you.
Just be sure to keep a close eye on your pet and call your veterinarian if you have any concerns.
