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Old 09-04-2017, 01:24 AM   #1
Jen250
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Default Could use some optimism for sick hamster

Hello! It's been a long time since I've posted here as I was trying to cut down on my internet forum use. My sweet hamster, Hubble, is now 2 and a half years old, and he is, unfortunately, not doing very well at the moment.

Somehow, he's come down with wet tail. My partner and I went out of town for a week for our wedding, and someone else was looking after him in this time. Perhaps the stress of that brought it on, as I can't imagine what else it might be. The symptoms showed up about 5 days after our return on Saturday night. Immediately, we rushed him to the emergency vet, who diagnosed the wet tail and sent us away with some antibiotics to give him once per day and an electrolyte hydrating formula to give him every few hours through a syringe.

Unfortunately, I'm not seeing any improvement. He isn't eating or drinking except what I'm giving him through the syringe. He's very wobbly and lethargic, and he very obviously has no energy to do anything other than sleep. And the diarrhea is quite bad. I'm not feeling very optimistic. Has anyone ever had a hamster recover from wet tail? Is there anything more I can do for him?
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Old 09-04-2017, 02:38 AM   #2
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

So sorry to hear this Jen, I find it hard to believe Hubble is two & a half already but at that age he is going to have a hard time fighting the infection.
What are you feeding him? Porridge would probably be the best thing if you can get him to eat some, it can help with the diarrhoea to some extent & would at least give him some energy, you could even put a tiny bit of honey in it too.
Are you using any probiotics? If not that will help his immune system & help him cope with the antibiotics better. If you don't have any you can get ProC from P@H or other pet shops.
Sorry can't really suggest anything else.
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Old 09-04-2017, 03:02 AM   #3
Jen250
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

Thanks cypher. I know, it's hard to believe. Time has flown by. Plus, he doesn't really act like an elderly hamster. He's been so healthy and in such good shape that this has come as a bit of a shock.

I just went to check on him and found something pretty distressing. He was sitting in a puddle of diarrhea, and it's gotten all over his belly and paws. I've tried to clean him up as best as I could without getting him wet, but it's pretty bad.
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Old 09-04-2017, 04:53 AM   #4
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

Hi Jen, sorry to hear of Hubble's condition. Mocho will be 2 and a half in a week's time so I sympathise with all your anxiety over him. Porridge is good as cypher said. I put a few oats in a small bowl with water and microwave for 20-30 secs to soften. Then let cool to warm. If he won't come out for it then offer to him on a teaspoon in his nest. This will nourish him as well as get some moisture into his system.
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Old 09-04-2017, 10:51 AM   #5
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

I also can't believe Hubble is two and a half already I am so sorry he has wet tail. You are doing all you can administering what the vet has given. I can only second the above advice. The only other thing I can suggest is if he would eat a small piece of fresh coconut every day or two? As a treat. I buy the little pots of fresh coconut pieces from the supermarket. Coconut and coconut oil/milk is supposed to help prevent diarrhoea and be a tonic effect to the bowel - in humans. And fresh coconut is usually a welcome treat to a hammy. The pots have to be used within a day of opening I think, so one lasts two days (opened one evening and one piece given, second piece given 24 hours later. I eat the rest myself

Also keep talking to him xxx
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Old 09-04-2017, 02:37 PM   #6
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

Pureed pumpkin(plain,just pumpkin and water!)is also good for animals with diarrhea However coconut oil(food grade non-hydrogenated,virgin if you can find that as well)would have other health benefits so giving both could still be a good idea.Coconut oil should last longer,if that ends up being a deciding factor in which you use!Plus,if you had leftover coconut oil you could use it for your own skincare(highly recommended over all storebought lotions,as there's no alcohol or isopropyl type substances so it isn't drying to the skin nor does it clog pores if used well,and it's all natural).

Make sure the probiotic is high quality if you give one(no dextrose,maltodextrin,or other processed sugars and artificial sweeteners like sorbitol).Some also include unspecified biproducts(such as digest)which also should be avoided.Purina have a probiotic that includes digest however in some websites this ingredient isn't listed.

Last edited by AmityvilleHams; 09-04-2017 at 02:45 PM.
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Old 09-04-2017, 10:59 PM   #7
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

I would stick with porridge, pumpkin has been found to be very effective in dogs as far as I know mostly due to the benefits of the soluble fibre but that is also found in oats & given the tiny amount a sick ham may eat the oats will provide more overall nutrition as well as the benefits for diarrhoea.
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Old 09-05-2017, 12:52 AM   #8
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

Thanks everyone. I tried to give him some porridge yesterday, but he didn't seem very interested. But then I decided to leave some just outside of his house when I checked on him at 3am. It looks as though he's had a nibble or two in the night, and he's eaten a couple of pieces of his dried food mix as well. I think this is a good sign, but I don't want to get my hopes up too high. He's a little fighter.
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Old 09-05-2017, 01:14 AM   #9
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

That's definitely a good sign Jen, I can understand you not wanting to get your hopes up too much but it does sound as though he's fighting back now.
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Old 09-05-2017, 01:44 AM   #10
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Default Re: Could use some optimism for sick hamster

Unfortunately, I spoke too soon. Hubble has passed. Sweetest little hamster I've ever met. He will be sorely missed.
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