Trying to decrease Wet Tail risk, help needed

cmiller1017 · 12-10-2015, 02:23 PM

Please no judgement as I'm already feeling horrible and shaking and crying. I already want to crawl in a hole, and throw in the hammie towel... Their fragile little lives and short life spans is why I had thrown it in before... I just want to do what's right and I feel like I've already failed.

Diggle's (our Syrian Teddy Bear Hamster) cage fell off our headboard shelf where we had him (this is a wide shelf, it wasn't the problem and have fixed the issue from here on out). This is only day 6 since we brought him home, and thus far we've had no signs of wet tail what so ever. I do have 5 years experience in the pet store industry, and know what to look for... but is there anything besides not bothering him/not holding him for the next few days that I can do to try to decrease any stress this might have caused?

So far he doesn't show any signs of added stress. This happened this morning, and when I check in our room I have seen him stashing food, drinking, and momentarily running around before going back to his log where he sleeps.... but I also know that wet tail has a 7 day incubation period before really showing classic signs... ugh.

Any tips, or support as well as thoughts/love/prayers are appreciated.

Shannonmcn · 12-10-2015, 02:36 PM

Accidents happen! So long as he's not injured and running around doing normal happy hammy things with bright eyes, pricked ears and not walking hunched or limping or anything I think he's going to be okay. I don't think wet tail can be brought on by one shocking occurrence, even though it is "stress related" it is more like prolonged stress and anxiety from substandard living conditions or incorrect diet that is likely to cause problems. Like in humans, digestive problems like colitis for example which is an autoimmune condition, can be exacerbated by high stress levels but it is not a stress disorder, it's still digestive. The reason wet tail is more common in young hams is that their digestive systems are already stressed by weaning and changes to an adult diet, it's still primarily a digestive disorder. Which is also why it is contagious!

I hope you are able to relax and forgive yourself, things like this do happen and you've stopped the problem from happening again and you know to let him settle for a bit and clam himself so you've done all you can.

mylittlefluffyhamster · 12-10-2015, 03:04 PM

like Shannon has said accidents do happen! there have been times n the past where you have accidently stood on your dogs foot! you will feel bad but these things happen and as long as he is in no physical signs of pain he is okay.!

as for 'wet tail' all I can say is be vigilant it can happen throughout the hamster's life young or old! so don't worry just check him over regularly!

please don't stress xx

cmiller1017 · 12-10-2015, 03:12 PM

You guys are amazing.

I still feel pretty horrible, but at least I know the first signs and we have money if he does end up getting it and needing a vet. He's been his normal self so far. I'll just keep my eyes on him then, made sure food and water was fresh and tried to resettle his cage as much as possible, and we've already had him in the quietest room.

Ugh. I just feel bad for the poor little thing.

Pebbles82 · 12-10-2015, 05:12 PM

What Shannon said. I once stood on a dog's foot wearing high heels. He yelped and I leaned down and said 'oh sorry' and patted him and he bit me on the nose. It was my neighbour's dog and I had just called in on the way to a job interview. Ended up in casualty for a tetanus jab and turned up late to the job interview with a big blob of yellow iodine on the end of my noise. Needless to say, didn't get the job. Must have sounded like the biggest excuse ever "I was on my way here when I stood on a dog, it bit me and I had to go to casualty and that's why I was late - look you can see the blob of iodone on the end of my nose".

Anyway - glad your hammy seems to be carrying on as normal - but just watch he doesn't bite you on the nose for this!

cmiller1017 · 12-10-2015, 08:15 PM

I'm sure he won't bite me on the nose... He's such a gentle creature. But then again, the dog could have been too. And when stressed or in pain I guess you never know.

He came and got new toilet paper from me, and is still stashing food, drinking, and running on his wheel this evening. I'm crossing my fingers.