Learn more about rodents:Unfortunately, every pet owner knows that his loved one is suddenly not well. It itches, its eyes water or it suddenly stops eating. Then fast help is announced. You should definitely let your veterinarian know about it.
Typical diseases in hamsters are fungal infections, dental problems, mite infestations, diarrhea, colds, or eye diseases and dental problems.
In this article we have listed for you the most typical diseases of hamsters. Most of the time hamsters have circular. Ring-shaped hair loss to complain. At first, the fungal infection affects the limbs, muzzle and ears, and then spreads to the back and abdomen. Frequent and intense scratching is also a symptom of a fungal infection.
Due to a weakened immune system of the hamster a fungal infestation is favored. Other diseases and poor diet (for example, too much sugar in pre-packaged foods) can also facilitate a fungal infection. Likewise, too much stress due to constant moving, or too much noise in the resting and sleeping times leads to a weakened immune system, which favors the fungal infestation.
Take your hamster to the vet in any case. The vet can tell you exactly what kind of fungal infection it is and prescribe a medication accordingly. The fungal infestation is treated by the drug antimycotics.
Colds in hamsters:
Hamsters have almost the same symptoms with a cold as we humans do. A runny nose, shortness of breath, cough or sticky eyes in a hamster indicate a cold and should be treated and examined by a veterinarian.
The reason for a cold in hamsters could be that the cage* is in a draft or the underground from the cage is too cold. But your hamster can also easily catch it from a person with a cold. In addition, a lack of cage hygiene, too much stress and a weakened immune system quickly leads to a cold.
A visit to the vet is a must when your hamster has a cold. The vet can make your hamster healthy again with the help of antibiotics.
Hamsters can also get a cold just like us humans. Best to inform your veterinarian if symptoms persist.
Diarrhea in hamsters:
Signs of diarrhea in your hamster could be the soiling of the fur, because it can no longer clean and groom itself. Also usually the hamster seems apathetic. Does not want to play anymore. Also, your hamster's droppings are very soft and watery, indicating diarrhea.
The most common cause of diarrhea in hamsters is when they are infected by bacteria, fungi or viruses. Often this happens due to contaminated or moldy foods. It can also happen that your hamster has accidentally ingested poisonous plants. These could be, for example, laburnum, broom, conifers, yew or oak trees. are. Similarly, a common cause of diarrhea in hamsters is when they have a worm infestation. You can recognize this by frequent scratching of the anus. The infection often occurs via humans. Other animals or about the food.
If your hamster gnaws on plastic, cat litter or other chemically treated items, this often leads to diarrhea as well. But stress can also cause diarrhea in your hamster. Due to the stress the immune system of your dearest becomes too weak. Is more susceptible to bacterial infections. Stress can be caused by cleaning the cage too often. But also disturbances in his sleeping time during the day can be a cause of diarrhea in your hamster.
Likewise, it is too stressful for your hamster if too many children want to pet and touch it at the same time. Changing cages too often due to moving can also weaken your hamster's immune system and can lead to infections.
If the vegetables or fruits are not cleaned properly, hamsters may suffer from diarrhea. Therefore, you should make sure that no sprayed fruit or contaminated vegetables are given to eat. Also moldy food should be thrown away immediately. Do not feed to hamsters.
If you want to read more about this disease in hamsters, you can do so in our latest article Hamster has diarrhea.
It is important that the diarrhea in hamsters is not treated for more than 24 hours after discovery without a visit to the vet. Diarrhea can quickly lead to death in your loved one if prolonged.
The best thing to do is to clean the hamster's cage thoroughly to remove possible impurities. You should also clean the hamster toilet as well as the food bowl. Clean the water bowl thoroughly.
Give your hamster for the time being only dry food, until the excrement of your hamster has hardened again.
If you are changing the food, use the previous food for the time being and put the new food back in the cage only after recovery.
Meningitis in hamsters:
Signs
meningitis can only occur in hamsters in the first 5 months. The signs of meningitis are very similar to a common cold with conjunctivitis. But also symptoms like sudden fever. vomiting can indicate meningitis.
Causes for meningitis in hamsters are meningococcal or viral infections
It is important to note that humans can also be infected with meningitis through feces, urine and saliva. It is absolutely important that your hamster is taken to the vet. There usually a blood analysis is carried out. The chances of survival of your hamster in case of meningitis are relatively high and the recovery is usually 3 weeks.
Bladder infections in hamsters:
If your hamster has cystitis, you may observe that he has difficulty urinating. You will also notice that the urine smells very strong and that your hamster no longer has an appetite.
The most frequent cause of bladder infections are bacterial infections. This is more common in females than in male hamsters.
Injury to the cheek pouches in hamsters:
The clearest sign of an injury of the cheek pouches is an inflammation or Anschoppung of the cheek pouches.
Most often, the injury to the cheek pouches is caused by eating too much of the wrong food, such as chocolate or sweets. But also by unsuitable and too big nest material your hamster can injure his cheeks very fast. For a species-appropriate and healthy diet, we always give our hamster a small portion of meadow herbs from MultiFit*. This contains important nutrients. No harmful sugar.
With an injury of the cheek pockets you should always give the veterinary surgeon message. This can give you medical advice, so that your hamster is quickly well again and can quickly go in search of food again.
Frequently it comes with hamsters to cheek injuries. Here you should always seek medical advice.
If you observe that your hamster does not go into his house anymore, you can read about it in our article Hamster does not want to go into his house anymore.
Dental problems in hamsters:
Another typical disease for hamsters are dental problems. These appear very often in hamsters. Signs of this are watery eyes, significantly more saliva on the chin as well as loss of appetite. Teeth grow for a lifetime. Must be rubbed again and again. This happens when your hamster nibbles on twigs, wood or other branches. This causes the teeth that have grown too high to wear down again If your hamster doesn't get enough to nibble on, such as twigs and branches, the teeth can no longer wear down, leading to difficult dental problems. For a healthy rubdown of the teeth, we like to give our hamsters some Real Nature* nibbles. These have a high proportion of raw fiber and are without added sugar.
The teeth of rabbits grow throughout their lives and are worn down by gnawing and chewing. Here it is important that you contact your veterinarian and get medical advice. Because if your rabbit continues to eat too little, it can have serious health consequences. In case of need, as a preventive measure, you can have your teeth shortened by your veterinarian.
If you want to know what hamsters should eat in order to keep them healthy and prevent dental problems, you can read about it in our brand new article Hamster feeding right away.
Wet tail disease in hamsters:
The wet tail disease can be clearly recognized by the adhesions in the anus area. In addition, there is usually watery diarrhea. This disease usually gets only young dwarf hamsters in the first 3- 8 weeks.
The main cause of wet tail disease is increased stress in your hamster. Stress triggers such as constant moving, separation from the mother or a too fast change of food promote this disease.
In case of a wet tail disease it is necessary to act quickly. Your hamster must be taken to the vet immediately for examination. The veterinarian can then bring your hamster back to health with medication.
Mite infestation in hamsters:
Mite infestation is often due to lack of hygiene of the hamster cage. But too much stress also leads to a weakened immune system. To a significantly greater risk of mite infestation. Also a wrong nutrition weakens immensely the so important immune system. The veterinarian should be notified in case of mite infestation. Thus medical advice should be sought. Also the hamster cage should be cleaned very thoroughly with mite infestation.
Eye diseases like keratoconjunctivitis in hamsters:
In eye diseases, you may observe heavy lacrimation with subsequent eye dryness in your hamster. Also are adhesions. crusting in the eye area can be seen. Likewise, the eye rims are often reddened.
Too much dust and dirt particles in the bedding can cause inflammation of the hamster's eyes. Also, poor oral hygiene or injuries near the eyes can lead to eye diseases.
With all eye inflammations the veterinary surgeon should always be fetched. He can examine your hamster in detail and will give you further instructions so that your pet will get better quickly.
Diabetes in hamsters:
Signs:
The signs of diabetes in hamsters (usually more common in dwarf hamsters and Campbells) are increased drinking, weight loss and increased hunger. Also, a sweet urine odor can. To point out an increased activity on diabetes.
Causes:
If too much sugar is supplied through food, it is processed by the body's own processes, which subsequently leads to permanently high blood sugar and obesity. We recommend to pay attention to the prepackages that they are without added sugar. As small snacks we often give our hamsters small pieces of Real Nature*. These contain important raw fiber. Are without added sugar.
Cure:
The veterinarian can accurately determine the diabetes in your hamster through certain tests and also what type of diabetes it is. Appropriate medication can help regulate your hamster's insulin levels.
Summary – Typical diseases of hamsters
The most common diseases in hamsters are eye diseases, fungal and mite infestation, dental problems and also colds.
Most importantly, if you notice any symptoms of the disease in your hamster, contact your veterinarian immediately and seek medical advice. Because even small injuries can quickly become dangerous for your loved one.
The most consistent symptoms of illness in your hamster are, for example, that your hamster no longer eats properly, his eyes water, the feces or urine are different than usual or your hamster scratches himself constantly. Often the immune system is also weakened by too much stress in hamsters. Make them more susceptible to diseases faster. Stress triggers can be constant moving, wrong location of the hamster cage or too much noise in his resting phase. With such characteristics you should watch your hamster steadily. In any case go to the vet. Only your vet can examine your hamster in detail and prescribe medication if necessary, so that your hamster is well again quickly.