Common Hamster Illnesses
March 6th 2010 15:04
Hamsters are usually pretty hardy pets, but they, like any other animal, can get sick. In a lot of cases, the health of the animal will depend on how you care for it. With proper care, diet, and caging, your hamster can live a full and healthy life.
Dirty cages, unbalanced diet, leaking water bottles, stress, a drafty environment, other hamsters, other pets, and other factors can all lead to health problems.
Common health problems in hamsters can include:
* Abscess
* Allergies
* Broken bones
* Common cold
* Diarrhea
* Fungal infections (Ringworm)
* Upper respiratory infection
* Wet tail
Common Hamster Illnesses
If you think that your hamster may be sick, you should really consult a veterinarian. Hamsters generally don't show signs of illness until the illness is a little more progressed, so it is very important that you seek veterinary assistance. Some illnesses can easily develop into more severe illnesses. For example a common cold or even an upper respiratory infection can develop into pneumonia if not treated.
It is important that you keep a close eye on your hamster if you change anything in or around the cage so that you can spot signs of a reaction or stress right away.
There are some illnesses, though, that a vet may not be able to treat or willing to. Depending on the severity of the illness and the symptoms that your hamster is having, your vet may find that the hamster is already stressed and may not recover through treatment. For example, if you notice a lump on your 2 year old hamster, your vet may feel that removal is not an option because the hamster is already very old.
Let your veterinarian make the call. If your hamster is sick, take him to the vet if the symptoms persist.
Common signs of illness in hamsters include:
* Curled position
* Diarrhea
* Discharge from eyes and/or nose
* Fatigue
* Hunched back
* Labored breathing
* Lack of appetite
* Lethargy
* Lump
* Matted or unkept coat
* Shivering
* Sneezing
* Weight loss
* Wheezing
Dirty cages, unbalanced diet, leaking water bottles, stress, a drafty environment, other hamsters, other pets, and other factors can all lead to health problems.
Common health problems in hamsters can include:
* Abscess
* Allergies
* Broken bones
* Common cold
* Diarrhea
* Fungal infections (Ringworm)
* Upper respiratory infection
* Wet tail
Common Hamster Illnesses
If you think that your hamster may be sick, you should really consult a veterinarian. Hamsters generally don't show signs of illness until the illness is a little more progressed, so it is very important that you seek veterinary assistance. Some illnesses can easily develop into more severe illnesses. For example a common cold or even an upper respiratory infection can develop into pneumonia if not treated.
It is important that you keep a close eye on your hamster if you change anything in or around the cage so that you can spot signs of a reaction or stress right away.
There are some illnesses, though, that a vet may not be able to treat or willing to. Depending on the severity of the illness and the symptoms that your hamster is having, your vet may find that the hamster is already stressed and may not recover through treatment. For example, if you notice a lump on your 2 year old hamster, your vet may feel that removal is not an option because the hamster is already very old.
Let your veterinarian make the call. If your hamster is sick, take him to the vet if the symptoms persist.
Common signs of illness in hamsters include:
* Curled position
* Diarrhea
* Discharge from eyes and/or nose
* Fatigue
* Hunched back
* Labored breathing
* Lack of appetite
* Lethargy
* Lump
* Matted or unkept coat
* Shivering
* Sneezing
* Weight loss
* Wheezing
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