Small Animal and Fish World
Hoppping
Houdini's
Illnesses
Most Common Illnesses
Eye infections are common in all animals. When an eye becomes infected it will ooze a yellow or green coloured pus from the area, if left to build up the pus soon dries out and can cause the animals eye to become 'glued' shut and they may need assistance in opening it again. If the eye is stuck shut it can cause a great deal of stress for the animal so its important to clean the eye well and regularly in order to prevent this from happening and speed up the healing process.
Like humans some species of hamster can develop the condition
called Diabetes, this is caused because either the pancreas does
not produce enough insulin or because the body is not responding
to the insulin being produced. This results in the sufferer having high
blood sugar levels that must be kept under control to keep them healthy.
Causes/Treatments of Eye Infections: Eye infections can be caused by any number of factors the most likely being a build up of bacteria in and around the eye. It may also be caused when a foreign object enters the eye (ie substrate, dust, small stones etc) or by allergic reactions and viruses. Most eye infections, if caught early, can be treated easily from home with good results. If an eye infection is left untreated for too long it can lead to long term eye damage, if the infection is viral it may also pass on to other organs in the body including the lungs. In a situation where the infection is too far along to treat you must seek out a vets help.
Symptoms of Diabetes: - Excessive drinking- Urinating more frequently in larger amounts - Strong smelling urine described as the smell of nail polish remover- Sudden weight loss or gain- Sleeping more or excessive exercise- Irritability - A hunched posture- Squinting even when fully awake If you hamster displays several of these symptoms then it’s best to check them for diabetes, this is done in a different way to how other animals are tested.
Wet Tail is one of the most serious intestinal diseases that can affect hamsters and sadly is is quiet common. The name comes from the wet, dirty tails that accompany the disease. More commonly wet tail effects hamsters around three to six week old, but can affect hamsters of any age. All species of hamsters are susceptible. Wet tail is caused by oral contact with the bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis. The disease is spread when the hamster comes into contact with food or water contaminated with faeces that carry the bacteria.Contributing factors to the disease include stress from a variety of sources, including weaning, recent transport, overcrowded cage conditions, surgery, and rapid dietary changes.
Symptoms/Treatments of Wet Tail: In addition to the soiled, wet area around the anus and tail that gives the disease its common name; there are a variety of other symptoms that you may see.LethargyLoss of appetiteFailure to groomExcessively watery diarrhoeaDehydrationDull, sunken eyesIrritabilityHunched posture while sitting or walkingAbdominal discomfortProtruding rectum from constant strainingBlood in the stool or around the anus in very serious cases TreatmentIf you suspect that your hamster has wet tail, you must seek vet care immediately - wet tail qualifies the use of emergency vet care meaning a vet must see the hamster even out of normal open hours. The disease can kill a hamster very quickly often as quickly as 48 hours from the first signs. Taking immediate action may increase your hamster's chances of survival though unfortunately survival rates are very low. Treatment consists of:AntibioticsAnti-diarrhoea medicationsSubcutaneous and oral fluids to combat dehydration In addition to the above treatments prescribed or performed by your veterinarian, you should also keep your hamster warm and clean, isolate him from any other hamsters and animals, and thoroughly sanitise his cage to prevent re-infection or spread of the disease.