|
Post by devilspirit on May 18, 2003 0:13:47 GMT -5
Sneezing, sore eyes, and runny nose This may be an allergy, maybe to some nesting material, air freshener, or spray polish. But it also could be a cold, so keep your hamster warm, and if it's no better the next day, take it to the vet.
Fur around tail is dirty, and possibly wet Your hamster has diarrhea, which could have been caused by eating something that did not agree with it. But this could also be the first sign of a serious illness called wet tail, so take your hamster to the vet at once. Bare patches in the fur This may just be old age, or the hamster may have rubbed against something and worn the fur away. But if it is scratching the bare batches, they could be caused by mites. The vet will give you something to clear them up.
Refusal to eat, a swollen cheek, and runny eyes Your hamster has something stuck in its cheek pouch. Take it to the vet.
After a fall, or being handled too much, the hamster lies quite still, as if dead It is in a state of shock, though it may not be seriously hurt. If you leave it in a quiet, warm place, it should recover in an hour or two. If not, take it to the vet.
Cuts - the hamster has cut itself on something sharp Add a drop of antiseptic to warm water (boiled and allowed to cool), and bathe the cut gently. If it gets red and inflamed, take your hamster to the vet.
~ Information List From Internet
|
|
|
Post by ghost on Jul 22, 2003 8:19:26 GMT -5
Hamster Wet-Tail
Wet tail is well-known disease that hamsters can obtain. It often proves fatal, except when treated by a veterinarian. If your hamster has any symptoms of wet tail, veterinary treatment should be acquired IMMEDIATELY.
Symptoms: Matted or wet fur around tail, loose diarrhea, prolapsed rectum.
Causes: Various stressful causes such as the separation from the mother, a new cage, transport, a change in feed, and too cold or hot of a cage can cause wet tail.
Other causes include: - unwashed fruit or vegetables - food directly from the refrigerator - toxic plants or greens from the roadside - too much fresh food at once - food soiled with urine - mouldy or spoiled food
If consumed, these types of food may lead to a disturbance in the intestinal bacteria, causing the disease.
Wet Tail is a disease that is thought to be stress related and often affects young hamsters around the time of weaning, as this can be a stressful time. Therefore it is important when buying a new hamster that its cage is prepared before its arrival home and it is left to become familiar with its new surroundings in peace apart from feeding for a day or two to keep stress to a minimum. It is also thought that Wet Tail can be caused by bad living conditions, etc which could also cause stress.
Wet Tail is a bacterial infection or an imbalance of the natural bacteria in the hamster's stomach or intestine and is often confused with diarrhoea. Although a hamster with Wet Tail has diarrhoea, the diarrhoea is so severe that the hamster is wet and/or dirty not only around the anus but usually around the top of the tail as well. The diarrhoea is accompanied by a strong unpleasant smell. Droppings are pale in colour and extremely soft and may contain mucus. The hamster often walks hunched up, is weak and lethargic and may squeal in pain. Symptoms take 7 days to appear and the disease is often fatal with death occurring as early as 24 hours after the appearance of the symptoms. Therefore it is vital that veterinary treatment is sought immediately if a hamster shows symptoms of Wet Tail. Do not rely on over-the-counter products such as Dri-Tail to treat Wet Tail as these are often not effective against severe cases of Wet Tail. These should only be used if it is not possible to get the hamster to a vet immediately and veterinary advice should still be sought at the earliest opportunity, but do ensure if you have used any over-the-counter product that you inform your vet when you visit.
Hamsters suffering from Wet Tail often die from dehydration rather than from Wet Tail itself, or they simply refuse to eat or drink. Also, because of the severe diarrhoea Wet Tail can lead to rectal prolapse where the intestine is pushed outside the body through the anus.
Veterinary treatment will consist of a course of antibiotics, anti-diarrhoeal medication and help with rehydration. The hamster should be kept warm and quiet whilst undergoing treatment and be disturbed as little as possible. Wet Tail is contagious to other hamsters and so any hamster suffering from Wet Tail should be isolated from other hamsters. It is also a good idea to wash your hands thoroughly after handling a hamster suffering from Wet Tail, to avoid passing the infection back to the hamster worsening its condition and certainly before handling other hamsters (this is best kept to a minimum). It is a good idea to remove droppings from the cage at intervals and disinfect the cage with a disinfectant designed for small animal cages when cleaning the cage. Although it is important to keep stress to a minimum it may help to clean the cage of a hamster suffering from Wet Tail every 2 or 3 days.
Any equipment occupied or used by a hamster that has died from Wet Tail should be disinfected thoroughly with a disinfectant designed for small animal cages and left to stand for a few weeks before being used by another hamster.
Wet Tail is a disease associated more commonly with the Syrian Hamster and is not associated with Dwarf Hamsters. Dwarf Hamsters can suffer severe diarrhoea but it is not clear at present that they actually suffer from 'Wet Tail'.
Susceptibility to Wet Tail is also thought to be genetically inherited and so it is best not to breed from any hamster that has suffered from Wet Tail during its life.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:11:26 GMT -5
Teeth Problems
The incisor (front, gnawing) teeth grow continuously for the life of the hamster (this is true for all rodents). They receive continuous wear as the uppers and lowers contact each other, preventing overgrowth. Misalignment of either the upper or lower incisors because of previous injury, abscess formation of malnutrition may result in overgrowth of one or more of the teeth. Overgrown incisor teeth usually cause serious injury to the roof of the mouth. Sometimes the lower incisors actually grow through the roof of the mouth and into the nasal cavity! Initial signs of this problem are inappetence and drooling. Total lack of eating, weight loss, and a foul odor from the mouth may be noted later. These signs often are completely overlooked.
A veterinarian must carefully trim the overgrown incisors and extract them from the roof of the mouth. Antibiotics are prescribed because of the high probability of infection following this type of injury. Periodic trimming of the incisors is usually necessary for the remainder of the hamster's life.
Some popular hamster houses made of plastic had holes in the horizontal and vertical tubes originating from the main rectangular enclosure. Hamsters frequently caught and broke their incisors in these holes in the plastic. The holes have since been made smaller by the manufacturer, and this injury is seen less frequently now.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:12:32 GMT -5
Trauma
Hamsters are easily injured. They are frequently dropped while being handled (especially by children), or after they bite. Pet hamsters allowed "free run of the house" (even for short periods) are often stepped on or kicked and seriously injured or killed. Hamsters are frequently injured while inside an "exercise ball." This is a clear plastic sphere that is propelled along the floor by the action of the hamster running inside it. Injuries occur when a person accidentally kicks the ball or when it falls down a flight of stairs. Hamsters often perish when they are forgotten and left in these devices without food and water.
In spite of the clever design and obvious benefits of this device, hamster owners must continually supervise its use. Parents must be made aware by their children that it is in use. Above all, hamsters should not be forgotten while inside these devices.
Trauma may result in broken bones and/or serious internal injuries or death. A fall of over a foot or more may result in a broken back, for which there is no practical treatment.
Injured hamsters should be immediately examined by a veterinarian. Broken backs are very difficult to manage. Often an appliance (splint, etc.) to immobilize the broken bone will not be applied because of the sometimes greater problems they impose on the broken limb. The veterinarian will determine the best course of action in each situation.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:13:32 GMT -5
Bladder Stones
Hamsters are susceptible to formation of stones within the urinary tract. The bladder is the only location within the urinary tract in which stones would likely be detected upon physical examination by a veterinarian. Signs of bladder stones may or may not be detected by hamster owners and are usually associated with infection within the urinary tract, frequent urination, straining on urination, blood in the urine, increased water consumption, listlessness and inappetence.
An experienced veterinarian may be able to remove the stones. This is accompanied by appropriate antibiotic therapy. Dietary management to help dissolve the urinary stones and prevent their recurrence is not practical with hamsters.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:14:57 GMT -5
Cancer
Cancer is very common in pet hamsters. The incidence increases with age (as is the case with most animals) and is higher among females than males because of the variety of cancers that involve the female reproductive tract. Tumors of hamsters may be benign or malignant. Hamsters are vulnerable to an unusually large number and variety of benign cancers. Cancers involving hormone-producing organs (such as thyroid and adrenal glands) are among the most common tumors in hamsters. These cancers cause hormone imbalances, hair loss, and changes in behavior, as well as other significant signs.
Veterinarians can often perform surgery to completely remove small external tumors. Internal tumors, however, are much more difficult to diagnose and remove. The small size of the patient, the even smaller size of the organ(s) involved, the sometimes inaccessibility of the tumor and the expense involved are some of the reasons why an owner of the pet hamster might elect euthanasia (putting the pet to sleep) or do nothing and allowing the hamster to live out its life instead of surgery in these situations.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:16:14 GMT -5
Abscessesnodeadlines.com/ebay/images/Copy%20of%200516hamster_abcess.jpg [/img] Abscesses are most often caused by bite wounds from fighting. These wounds become infected, forming abscesses that appear as firm, painful lumps under the skin. Abscesses from injuries other than bite wounds may be indistinguishable from those that result from fighting. Abscesses of one or both cheek pouches are also very common among pet hamsters. These commonly result from penetrating wounds to the lining of the pouch caused by harsh foods or bedding materials. It may be very difficult for you to know whether a swelling in the area of the cheek pouch is an abscess or simply food or bedding being temporarily stored within the pouch. Generally speaking, the swelling resulting from a cheek pouch abscess persists, but a pouch swelling from stored food or bedding disappears when the animal empties its cheek pouch.
If an abscess is detected or suspected, the abscess must be opened and the pus drained or removed by a veterinarian. An appropriate antibiotic also will be prescribed. Further, the underlying cause(s) for the abscess must be eliminated, if possible.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:17:19 GMT -5
Wet Tail (Proliferative Ileitis)
The most serious intestinal disease of hamsters is "wet tail." The bacterium suspected of causing this disease is called Campylobacter, which can also cause intestinal disease in swine, dogs, ferrets, primates and other animals. This disease most often afflicts hamsters of weaning age (3-6 weeks old), but hamsters of all ages are susceptible. Since weanling hamsters and those slightly older are commonly sold in pet stores, wet tail is a fairly common disease among recently acquired hamsters. Long-haired "teddy bear" hamsters are highly susceptible to wet tail. Signs include lethargy, increased irritability, hunched posture, very fluidy diarrhea, and a wet, soiled anal area and tail. Blood from the rectum and protrusion of the rectal lining (prolapse) may be noted in particularly serious cases.
Hamsters with wet tail must be immediately examined and evaluated by a veterinarian. Fluid replacement, oral antidiarrheal medication, and antibiotics will be given, along with supportive care to keep the patient warm, clean, comfortable and well nourished. Treatment is often unrewarding, and death may occur as soon as 48 hours after the onset of initial signs. This disease is not transmittable to people.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:18:14 GMT -5
Salmonellosis
Several species of the bacterium, Salmonella, can cause serious intestinal disease (salmonellosis) in hamsters under certain circumstances. Salmonellosis is transmittable to and equally serious in people. The bacterium is usually acquired by eating food contaminated with the organism. Pet hamsters established in homes would most likely become infected via this route. For this reason, fresh fruits and vegetables must be thoroughly washed before they are offered to hamsters. Newly purchased pet hamsters may harbor the Salmonella organism, having acquired it from the colony into which they were born.
Salmonellosis in hamsters may manifest itself as sudden illness that often is fatal or as a more long-standing disease that causes weight loss.
Salmonellosis can be diagnosed on stool culture by a veterinarian. Antibiotic treatment of the disease may or may not be recommended by the veterinarian, depending upon the public health implications. Euthanasia (putting the patient to sleep) would be recommended if treatment is not undertaken.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:19:18 GMT -5
Rabies
The subject of rabies inevitably comes up whenever an individual is bitten by a hamster and because hamster bites are so common. Hamsters are not natural hosts of this virus. Therefore, the only way that a hamster could become infected with the rabies virus is to become exposed to infected saliva from a natural host (skunk, fox, bat, etc.). This is highly unlikely, since hamsters are almost exclusively indoor pets.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:21:07 GMT -5
Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis
This viral disease can be transmitted from hamsters to people. A large number of cases in 1974 and 1975 were traced to a common infected hamster colony. Signs of this disease in people include recurrent fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, sore throat, rash and arthritis. The natural host in the wild for the causative virus is the rodent population. Hamsters would most likely acquire their infection from this source. Because hamsters are almost exclusively indoor pets, they are unlikely to become infected with the virus. Hamster owners must, however, restrict contact between their pets and orphaned wild rodents that have been adopted.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:22:06 GMT -5
Demodectic Mange
Demodectic mange, a common external parasite problem of hamsters, is caused by mites that reside within the hair follicles and certain glands of the skin. The mites cause dry, scaly skin and significant hair loss, especially over the back. This disease is rarely a problem by itself and is frequently associated with long-standing, debilitating diseases, such as those involving kidneys.
Hamsters exhibiting hair loss should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible. The doctor will do a skin scrapping and examine it under the microscope. The presence of mites in the scrapping confirms the diagnosis. This disease can be treated, but the patient may have an underlying problem for which there is no practical treatment or cure.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:23:13 GMT -5
Intestinal Parasites
Hamsters frequently harbor tapeworms within their small intestines. Heavy infections may cause weight loss. Lighter infections usually go undetected unless pieces of the worms pass out of the hamster's anus or appear in the feces.
People can become infected with the same organism. Tapeworms can be transmitted to uninfected hamsters (or people) when feces harboring tapeworm eggs are inadvertently eaten. This underscores the importance of restricting access to hamsters and their enclosures by very young children. All such encounters should be carefully monitored.
Hamster owners suspicious of this parasite problem should submit a fecal sample to a veterinarian for analysis. The presence of tapeworm eggs in the sample (noted microscopically) confirms the diagnosis. Treatment can be instituted by the veterinarian.
Pinworms are a less common intestinal parasitism of hamsters. These extremely tiny worms reside within the large intestines and usually cause no signs at all.
Pinworm infections can be diagnosed by a veterinarian by microscopic examination of the feces. Pinworm eggs passing from the anus of the hamster sometimes cause intense itching in this area. A veterinarian may be able to detect the presence of pinworm eggs by pressing cellophane tape to this area and examining it under the microscope. Pinworms of hamsters do not cause disease in people.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:24:24 GMT -5
Sensitivity of Hamsters to Certain Antibiotics
Hamsters as a group are unusually sensitive to the potentially lethal effects of certain antibiotics, whether they are given orally or by injection. Potentially harmful antibiotics include ampicillin, penicillin, erythromycin, lincomycin and streptomycin. The major way in which certain antibiotics cause reactions is by altering the normal microbial balance within the gastrointestinal tract. Once the normal intestinal microflorial balance has been upset, certain bacteria multiply to abnormally large numbers. The multiplying bacteria produce harmful chemicals that can have lethal effects.
Certain antibiotics (streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin) are directly toxic and do not alter the normal microbial balance within the gastrointestinal tract. These antibiotics should never be used in hamsters.
Though injectable antibiotics can cause the problems described above, oral antibiotics are more often associated with them. Antibiotics should never be given to hamsters unless they are prescribed by a veterinarian. If oral or injectable antibiotics are prescribe, ½ cc (1/10 teasthingy) of plain, white yogurt should be given orally to the treated hamster morning and evening for the duration of the antibiotic therapy and for an additional 5-7 days afterward. Yogurt helps replace these beneficial intestinal bacteria that often perish during antibiotic treatment.
|
|
|
Post by ghost on May 29, 2004 0:47:27 GMT -5
Aging Hamsters
If you¡¦ve had your small mammal pet for most of his life, it¡¦s likely to be difficult for you to watch your animal age. You¡¦ve grown used to his lively habits, and it may seem strange to see your pet slow down and become less active. Take comfort in knowing that aging is a normal part of the life process. Though the aging process may seem unfairly accelerated in small creatures, it is just one part of your pet¡¦s rich life.
If you have small children, you shouldn¡¦t try to disguise or explain your pets aging and/or dying process; instead, speak honestly about what is happening to your pet and get your child to help nurture and support your pet in his old age.
Average Life Expectancies of Small Mammals
Rat: 2-3 years Guinea Pig: 5-6 years Gerbil: 3-4 years Hamster: 2 years
Making Your Pet Comfortable
As your small mammal ages, he or she is less likely to adjust well to stressful situations. If your pet is a classroom pet, you should retire the animal from his classroom service; your animal will be more comfortable in a quieter, more predictable setting. As long as your pet remains healthy and is not unfairly harassed by cage-mates, it is not necessary to separate your aging animal from his colony. Just be sure to watch the way the animals interact as a group, and see that they are still getting the food and water they need to stay healthy.
Temperature fluctuations in an aging animal¡¦s cage should be controlled as much as possible. Make sure that you provide your pets with plenty of warm nest materials, as they build their nests to meet their temperature needs. Some aging pets experience hair loss, which can contribute to their temperature sensitivity. If you notice that your pet has a bald spot, contact your veterinarian to make sure that it is natural hair loss and not a sign of ringworm or another fungal infection.
Your aging small mammal will probably need more rest than he did when he was a young pet. Be sure that you allow your animal the extra sleep he needs to stay healthy. If your small mammal is primarily nocturnal (like a hamster) be sure that he is getting enough quiet, dark time to sleep during the day. If you cover the cage to keep it dark, be sure he is getting enough ventilation.
You shouldn¡¦t need to adjust your aging mammal¡¦s diet. Just watch him to make sure that he is eating about the same amount of food as he always ate and is not losing a dramatic amount of weight. If your aging mammal breaks a tooth, it is important for you to provide him with soft foods that he can consume while the tooth grows back.
The droppings of a small mammal are usually good indicators of the animal¡¦s overall health. Notice your animal¡¦s stool while you¡¦re cleaning his cage. It should be hard dry pellets. Diarrhea can be a very serious ailment of small mammals of all ages, so be sure to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if your animal has runny stool.
You may notice that your small mammal drinks more water as he ages. This may be part of your pet¡¦s compensation for his slowly failing kidneys. As your pet gets older, his kidneys begin to fail and are less able to process all of the waste products in his body. By drinking more water, your pet can flush his own system more effectively, pushing these waste products through whatever healthy kidney tissue remains.
Persistent trembling, seizures, paralysis, or lack of coordination may be signs that your small mammal is suffering from age-related nervous system diseases. Be on the lookout for these and other signs that your pet may be suffering from an internal disorder.
Your pet will not age overnight ¡V all this will happen very gradually ¡V but it¡¦s important to notice any changes in your pet¡¦s general condition or quality of life. If you notice that your pet is not eating as much as he used to, consider offering him more of his favorites to encourage him to maintain adequate nutrition. If he appears listless or unresponsive to his environment, then it may be time to consult a veterinarian.
The decision to put your pet to sleep is always a difficult one. People tend to avoid this decision, hoping that their animals will simply die a natural death on their own with as little pain as possible. But if your small mammal is struggling or in pain, or refuses to eat and is simply wasting away, it may be best to take the animal to a veterinarian to be put to sleep.
You can always visit your veterinarian to get his or her opinion about your pet¡¦s condition; in turn, she will tell you if she thinks it¡¦s time to end your pet¡¦s life.
The actual process of putting an animal to sleep is very simple. Using a hypodermic needle, your veterinarian administers an overdose of an anesthetic to your pet. Your pet will feel the prick of the needle and then fall into a deep sleep from which he will not wake up. His heart will simply stop beating, and the animal will die a calm and peaceful death.
|
|