Sick hamster

[BCjetta]

I got a young hamster at the end of April. He seemed normal enough when I first got him aside from being not used to being handled so I didn't really do much with him the first week. Then I noticed he was still just hiding all the time so decided to actually lift up the bed and actually touch him (much to his dislike) and he was super skinny. He was still eating and drinking and no obvious diarrhea. We decided to try baytril so I started that. It is a huge fight to give it to him as he's not tame. He's been on it almost 2 weeks now and I thought he was looking better but now the last few days he has diarrhea now. He is still eating and drinking and still not active. I'm just not sure what else to do with him. My guess is he's between 2-3 months old. Does anyone have any suggestions? Vets are not much help around here (I work at one) as they don't really have any knowledge of hamsters.

[DrKMcK]

Hello BCjetta. If this little one has wet tail you need to find a vet who does know about hammies. They can survive it. Between his age, not being tame and already ill, this little one is over the top stressed. Without a vet who is familiar with "pocket pets", or exotics, you may well lose him. I hope you can find someone to help you.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

The diarrhea could be from the Baytril. Try giving him some Probiotics now the anti biotics are done. Pedialyte Original flavor in his water to boost his electrolytes back to normal. Baby cereal mixed using the Pedialyte goes down very well with Hamsters who are not feeling well too.

Though he won't be a happy camper you need to scruff and pour a half capsule of the Probiotics directly in his mouth and eye dropper drip one drop at a time the pedialyte to liquify the probiotic powder. If all else fails a trip back to the store he came from demanding they help you have him rechecked at an appropriate Vet is in order.

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi BCjetta, antibiotics can be rough on a hamsters stomach and using probiotics like Nancy suggested are really great. I used Probiotics when Archie was ill and I also gave him soft baby food.