Hamster Just Had Babies and Is Now Itchy

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TLDR

• Seek a vet'due south communication asap when your hamster is unwell

• Notice your hamster'south behaviour

• Keep your hamster'southward surround clean

Note: This commodity is just to give pawrents a general idea of the common illnesses hamsters are susceptible to and the corresponding prognoses. This article is not intended as a "self-aid" guide in any way, and so delight always seek a professional person vet'south communication as soon every bit your hamster shows any symptoms or signs of illness.

Wet Tail (proliferative ileitis)

Wet Tail is a condition caused by Lawsonia intracellularis, a blazon of bacteria which inflames the pocket-size intestine and subsequently causes diarrhoea. Although it is quite contagious, it generally affects only immature Syrian hamsters.

A hamster with Wet Tail will show signs of lethargy, diarrhoea (look out for moisture fur and a foul smell) and, ultimately, weight loss. However, not every case of diarrhoea in hamsters is acquired past Moisture Tail.

Wet Tail is lethal and your hamster could die if not treated immediately, then always seek medical attending equally soon as possible. Oral medication and antibiotics are the normal course of handling for Wet Tail.

wet tail

generally affects only young syrian hamsters

Yeast Infection/Fungal Infection

This is a very common illness among pet hamsters in Singapore due to our hot and humid climate, which promotes the rapid growth of all sorts of fungi. It occurs when the fungus Trichophyton mentagrophytes, typically present in contaminated beddings, infects your hamster in a number of places. Thankfully, it is not lethal, and given the right care, can be cured in as little as two weeks. However, please note that it is contagious, and then prevention is ever better than cure!

To diagnose a yeast/fungal infection, a glutinous record cytology is normally used. Treatment consists of oral administration of antifungal (griseofulvin) medication.

poor fur condition

are often the first signs of an yeast infection

fur loss

due to yeast infection and allergy

Pyometra

Pyometra is a life-threatening status caused by an infection of the uterus/womb, typically affecting older female hamsters. So far, hamsters accept been observed to exist decumbent to two main types of pyometra - open and closed.

An open pyometra can be identified past the belch of blood or pus from the vulva expanse of the hamster. The discharge is able to ooze out when the hamster's cervix is open, which is a good thing, because the infection tin be drained from the hamster's torso. Please note that hamsters practise not menstruate, therefore, whatsoever bloody belch from the vaginal area should be reported to your vet every bit soon as possible.

A closed pyometra is much more serious. When the neck is airtight, the blood and pus accrue within the body, eventually causing the abdomen to bulge.  Due to the lack of noticeable discharge exiting the torso from the vulva, a closed pyometra usually only gets detected in the later stages, when the abdomen begins to noticeably protrude. With the pressure edifice internally, bacteria and toxins may as well first to spread beyond the uterine walls, ultimately resulting in blood poisoning.

A useful thing to watch out for is fast-emptying water bowls, equally hamsters with pyometra tend to consume much more fluids than usual. When it comes to treatment, the surgical removal of the uterus (spaying) is one way of treating or preventing pyometra. However, with hamsters, all surgical procedures acquit a loftier degree of risk due to their relatively pocket-sized size, and then operations are ofttimes a terminal resort.

observe your hamster's drinking patterns

over drinking tin can sometimes exist a sign of an underlying disease

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

UTIs are another fairly common illness amongst hamsters, due to their minor size and the ease with which bacteria tin can enter the urethra and infect the float. A hamster with UTI volition urinate with corking frequency, and often with traces of blood in their pee. To confirm the diagnosis, a urinalysis is usually carried out.

UTIs tend to be a painful feel for the infected hamster. Its trunk will attempt to affluent out the infection by taking in more liquids, then it is important to go along your hamster equally hydrated as possible. However, please note that UTIs rarely misemploy naturally, and can quickly escalate to a kidney infection. Please procure oral medications such every bit Enrofloxacin (Baytril) from your vet early on to ensure that the UTI is properly cured before information technology tin can develop into something worse.

Chronic Kidney/Renal Disease (CKD/CRD)

Just similar with humans, your hamster's kidneys are responsible for flushing toxins from its body, and sometimes, but like human kidneys, they malfunction, resulting in a unsafe build-up of toxins in the torso. This status is usually diagnosed with blood and urine samples.

A hamster with renal/kidney affliction will evidence signs of frequent urination, and increased lethargy accompanied by weight loss. When diagnosed, in addition to oral medication, your hamster will need to exist put on a special diet, unremarkably featuring foods that are lower in poly peptide, sodium and phosphorus.

frequent urination

can sometimes exist a worrying sign

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is a bacterial inflammation of the lungs. Common symptoms include wheezing, cough, sneezing, mucosal discharge from the nose or eyes and a lethargic appearance. Loss of appetite may also occur. Pneumonia is potentially lethal to hamsters and tin can be contagious.

To treat pneumonia, antibiotics are usually prescribed, and in serious cases, the hamster may be hospitalised and placed on oxygen therapy.

a hamster with pneumonia struggles to breath

appetite check

loss in appetite frequently signals a sick hamster

Tumours

Sometimes, odd lumps/masses can form on your hamster'due south body, which are typically caused by either tumours (beneficial/malignant) or infections (abscess). If you spot one, exist sure to monitor the growth of the lump/mass.

"If the Growth Doesn't Abound, We're Skillful to Go!"

Most pocket-sized lumps/benign tumours will non affect your hamsters' life, so if the lump/mass does not show signs of growing, surgery may thankfully not be necessary. It is best to avoid surgery where possible as, due to their small size, hamsters cannot be placed under anaesthesia for long periods. That is why surgery for hamsters carries with it a much higher risk than for other, larger pets. However, tumours that get bigger over fourth dimension are most likely malignant and cancerous. In such cases, surgery volition exist required to remove the tumour, and the sooner it is removed, the better.

Sometimes, particularly in dwarf hamsters, ear warts can occur. If you detect the wart growing larger over time, contact your vet as presently as possible, equally it is best to remove growing warts while they are notwithstanding small-scale. Be warned that, due to the high surgical risks explained to a higher place, some vets may not agree with surgically removing ear warts, especially if your hamster does non appear to exist adversely afflicted by them.

In cases where the warts are non-threatening, oral medications such as Enrofloxacin (Baytril) and Meloxicam will exist prescribed. Topical medications may as well exist provided to disinfect whatsoever wounds.

ruptured mass

further laboratory test indicated that this hamster had cancer, which was the cause of the mass

internal neoplasm

removed from a hamster'southward trunk

growth of abscess

on a hamster'due south tumour due to constant nibbling

Bumblefoot (ulcerative pododermatitis)

This is a bacterial infection and inflammatory reaction of the anxiety. Information technology is typically caused past poor husbandry practices, such equally using a meshed surface or a meshed cycle, so, please always provide an advisable wheel for your hamster! Poor sanitation leading to bacterial build-up can as well cause bumblefoot. Other causes include overgrown toenails and obesity.

To spot bumblefoot, look for signs of swollen feet and lameness. A hamster with bumblefoot volition be reluctant to move around due to the pain in their feet. Although bumblefoot is usually not difficult to treat, complications such equally infections can occur if not diagnosed and treated early.

Both oral and topical medication are used in the treatment of bumblefoot.

Eye infection

Eye infections are by and large an uncommon occurrence, but if your hamster does come down with an centre infection, it will most similar be due to a dusty surroundings, or the presence of other allergenic particles, like bath sand, that trigger your hamster's allowed response. Eye infections are non lethal simply can cause highly unpleasant symptoms such equally balding, reddish and irritated optics, and in extreme cases, even tears around the middle.

If you lot suspect your hamster has an heart infection, please bring them to the vet for antibiotics equally soon every bit possible. The antibiotics may be orally or topically administered, or both.

they hide pain well

if you suspect your hamster is unwell, seek vet care asap

Caring for a Ill Hamster

Immediate Isolation

If your hamsters currently live in pairs/groups, information technology is important to place the sick ones in quarantine. Particularly in the case of contagious illnesses, quarantining the infected hamster will forestall the spread of the disease and keep your other hamsters healthy (and your vet bill pocket-sized).

Note: Hamster Society (Singapore) strongly encourages housing all hamsters individually.

Go on the Environs equally Pristine as Possible

Bacterias dislike make clean environments. And so, keep your hamster muzzle spick and span at all times to proceed bacteria, and the illnesses caused by them, at bay.

If necessary, temporarily swap your regular bedding for kitchen towels. In cases like yeast infections, this helps to prevent boosted contagion of the muzzle and helps to contain the spread of infection. Lay the kitchen towels flat in the cage without shredding them, and alter them daily or as before long as they are soiled.

Cleanliness is adjacent to godliness, and coincidentally, is as well extremely vital to your hamster's recovery. Be sure to proceed your hands make clean at all times when handling your hamster or your hamster's muzzle.

Regularly Observe Your Hamster

In order to provide your vet with a better motion-picture show of your hamster's progress, try to note downwardly your hamster's behaviour. Is it agile or lethargic? How are the appetitive levels? What is the frequency of the bowel movements? This volition assist tremendously in the follow-up appointment with the vet, who will consequently be able to provide improve medical intendance for your hamster.

Please also keep a cracking eye out for whatever unusual or ominous signs, such as breathlessness and haemorrhage. If your hamster shows these symptoms, contact your vet immediately for advice, and be prepared to bring your hamster to the vet for an emergency.

Follow Your Vet's Instructions

Administer all medications as per your vet's instructions, whether oral or topical. If regular wound cleaning with a saline launder is required, exist certain to adhere to the cleaning schedule as strictly every bit possible, even if yous may have to get aid from family members to do so.

a clean cage and practiced diet

results in happy and healthy hamsters

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Source: https://www.hamstersociety.sg/hamster-care-blog/2019/5/8/common-hamster-illnesses

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