|
Symptom |
Possible Problem |
What
to do |
| Wet Tail
or Diarrhea |
Wet Tail Disease |
This condition can be fatal so it is
important to treat as quickly as possible. Either see your vet or add a
medication called DriTail to their water. Completely clean entire
cage including toys, water bottles, food dishes, etc. Discard all
bedding, chew sticks, etc. Wet Tail is highly contagious to other
rodents, separate any other rodents from the infected one and do not add
another rodent to your cage. If you put another rodent in a cage that
had an animal with wet tail bleach the entire cage and accessories and
discard old bedding, food, and chew sticks. |
Dry Flaky Skin
Loss of Fur
Redness on Skin
or Itching |
Parasites (Mites) |
Clean your
cage and everything in it. Put in fresh bedding. Spray a mite spray
approved for small animals on your pet and bedding. Make sure you wash
your hands with an anti-bacterial soap after handling your pet or anything
in its cage. To prevent re-infestation keep cage clean and give them a
balanced vitamin fortified diet like Higgins Vita Hamster. If problem
doesn't get better or you see open sores on your pet be sure to take them
into your vet right away. |
| |
Allergies |
Clean cage and
accessories thoroughly. It is possible that your pet is allergic to
something new added recently to the cage, bedding, a new food, etc.
Remember you should NEVER use cedar bedding with your small pet. It can
cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Art in Motion Pets
recommends using either Aspen Pine, Cell Sorb, or Care Fresh bedding. Your
pet could also be allergic to something in the air. Cigarette smoke,
cleaners, perfume, etc. |
| |
|
Note: Loss of fur can also be due to old
age. |
| Scratching of
Ears |
Ear Mites |
Can also cause
sores on ears, face, and feet. Ears can be treated with ear mite
medication or a drop of mineral oil in ears. Clean
cage and accessories thoroughly. |
| Loss of Balance,
Tilted Head |
Ear Infection |
You will need
to have a vet give your pet antibiotics as soon as possible |
| Sores From
Fighting |
|
Separate
fighting animals right away and treat minor wounds with bag baum or
Neosporin (available at most drug stores). Major wounds may need to be
treated with an antibiotic from your vet. |
| Lump under skin |
Abscess |
Usually from a
sore that was overlooked or left untreated. See your vet as soon as
possible to stop the spread of infection. Left untreated it can be fatal. |
| |
Cancer/Tumor |
Usually
associated with illness and/or weight loss. Will be a rapidly growing hard
lump just under the skin. Must be removed by your vet or it can be fatal. |
| Lethargic |
Cold or Flu |
Humans can
transmit colds or flu to hamsters and other small animals. To them colds
can quickly turn into pneumonia and death. You will want to get your
hamster to a vet as soon as possible for an antibiotic. |
| |
Wet Tail Disease |
If you notice your pet has a wet tail or
diarrhea it could have wet tail disease. This condition can be fatal so it is
important to treat as quickly as possible. Either see your vet or add a
medication called DriTail to their water. Completely clean entire
cage including toys, water bottles, food dishes, etc. Discard all
bedding, chew sticks, etc. Wet Tail is highly contagious to other
rodents, separate any other rodents from the infected one and do not add
another rodent to your cage. If you put another rodent in a cage that
had an animal with wet tail bleach the entire cage and accessories and
discard old bedding, food, and chew sticks. |
| Weight Loss |
Parasites (Worms) |
Medication
must be given, see your vet. |
| Keeps
eyes closed
even when awake |
Irritated Eyes |
From a scratch
or other injury to the eye. Or, it can be irritated by dust, dirt, wood
chips, etc. Clean the matted eye with a warm wet washcloth. Repeat several
times until the eye opens. Clean the eye with saline solution (used with
contact lens and can be purchased at your local drug store). If the
problem seems serious see your vet as soon as possible. |
| |
Eye infection |
Antibiotic may
need to be given. See your vet |
| Sneezing,
Shivering, Wheezing |
Cold or Flu |
Humans can
transmit colds or flu to hamsters and other small animals. To them colds
can quickly turn into pneumonia and death. You will want to get your
hamster to a vet as soon as possible for an antibiotic. |
| |
Allergies |
Clean cage and
accessories thoroughly. It is possible that your pet is allergic to
something new added recently to the cage, bedding, a new food, etc.
Remember you should NEVER use cedar bedding with your small pet. It can
cause respiratory problems and allergic reactions. Art in Motion Pets
recommends using either Aspen Pine, Cell Sorb, or Care Fresh bedding. Your
pet could also be allergic to something in the air. Cigarette smoke,
cleaners, perfume, etc. |
| Swollen Cheeks |
Impacted Cheek
Pouches |
Hamsters packing their cheek pouches
full of food or bedding is normal. However if the cheeks seem to be
swollen or sore it is possible that food or bedding is stuck in
there. If possible, look in the hamsters mouth and pull out anything that
looks caught. You may need to talk to a vet. |
