Help!

hawkeye · 12-02-2013, 07:24 AM

I've had my hamster for 4 months now and she has been perfectly fine. However, about 3 days ago she stopped being so active at night and yesterday started having diarrhoea. I took her to the vet this morning, she seemed pretty lively (shot out of his hand and ran around the room!). He gave us some antibiotics of which she has had her first dose. Her diarrhoea is not particularly runny (Not as runny as a previous hammy who died of wet tail) but since she came home from the vet I made her cage smaller so she didn't have as far to go for food and water etc she has simply slept in the corner and not moved a millimetre her bed is in the cage but she is not sleeping there she has just gone off to sleep in a corner with no bedding or anything!
Should I be preparing for they worse? How effective are antibiotics? Do you think she'll live?

Thanks,

Hawkeye

Popcornandme · 12-02-2013, 07:32 AM

Your hamster can live if you care it properly... Sometimes,antibiotics make them a little sleepy than usual. It is better to contact the vet to find out what can happen during the time you feed her antibiotics. Antibiotics can save lives depending on the illness whether it is urgent or not.

I hope your hammie recovers very soon !

**DrKMcK** · 12-02-2013, 07:57 AM

Hello Hawkeye. Since you took her to the vet quickly your hammy has a good chance of surviving this. There's never a guarantee with wet tail, but quite a few HC hammies have made it. In fact, many HC members came on HC looking for help with wet tail and are now strong supporters of new people coming on with concerns for their hammy. Don't worry about her sleeping all over the place. Sick hamsters do that. Follow the vet's directions with meds, even if she is unhappy about it. Make sure she drinks a bit every few hours. Dehydration is what kills them. Syringe a little water into her when she gets her meds. Offer her some dry porridge/oatmeal flakes, but don't stress if she doesn't want to eat. She's feeling rotten right now. You can give her a bit of fresh apple to also give her moisture. Check out the thread on wet tail under forums. Hope she does okay.

Tutu · 12-02-2013, 07:57 AM

I think she had stressful day and tired out. I'd leave her be for the day and let her recuperate. Vet prescribed antibiotics should work as long as you are giving right dosage and sticking to vet instruction. Antibiotics takes about 2-3 days to see real result and hopefully your hamster will recover from whatever she is suffering.
Good luck

hawkeye · 12-02-2013, 10:18 AM

She has done some solid poos this afternoon, is that a good sign?

Tutu · 12-02-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkeye

She has done some solid poos this afternoon, is that a good sign?

If he had diarrhoea and now he is pooping normally of course it is good sign. Hope he continues getting better

**DrKMcK** · 12-02-2013, 10:27 AM

Oh yes. That's exactly what you want. Just remember, even if she seems well, you give her the medication for as long as the vet said to give it. Fingers and toes crossed here for her.