Signs of Wet Tail? Pls Help

SnoWolf · 07-21-2018, 04:44 PM

My hamster is a male hybrid, about 1 and a half years old. His fur looks matted at the rear and dirty, it’s clumped together like he’s wet. He’s started being randomly aggressive, and is even making sounds and squeaks. I’m starting to panic a lot. Did I cause him too much stress? I did change his diet recently and have been trying to interact with him more. He seems a little more lethargic than usual. His snout area also has a small pimple-like bump that I’m not entirely sure if it’s an abscess or something more serious. I’ve been trying to convince my parents to take him to a vet but they just laugh at me, which I didn’t expect. The sounds he makes are like chirps, almost like little cries for help. I really need some advice and I will try my hardest to get him to a vet before it’s too late.

SnoWolf · 07-21-2018, 05:01 PM

He’s also scratching himself a lot, which makes me worried

livedinhogwarts · 07-21-2018, 06:22 PM

First of all, I'm really sorry that your hamster is unwell

I'm not too sure if he has wet tail (as he's a hybrid I don't know if they are able to), but your hamster seems very sick. The matted fur on his rear could be diarrhoea and you should check for that. I wouldn't feed him fresh veggies or fruit if he has diarrhoea as it could make things worse. I'm honestly not too sure what the bump on his nose is. I think it's best you take him to an exotics vet as soon as possible as wet tail can get worse very fast. It is always better to make sure it isn't anything too serious.

https://pethelpful.com/rodents/Wet-Tail-in-Hamsters
This is a link with information on wet tail. Check if your hamster has any more symptoms than the matted dirty fur. Also, if you believe he has wet tail, keep him from any other hamsters as wet tail is contagious.

As for your parents not taking it seriously, I understand how that must feel. I think it's best to explain to them that wet tail can be fatal if it isn't treated, and hopefully they will understand and let you take your hammy to a vet.

I will be praying for you and your little one and hoping that he recovers from the illness he has xxx

Pebbles82 · 07-21-2018, 07:58 PM

Dwarf hamsters don't usually get wet tail but can get diarrhoea and that can be dangerous too if they get dehydrated. If you've just changed his diet that could be the cause - you need to change it gradually really - over a couple of weeks, introducing the new food a bit at a time and reducing the old one a bit at a time. Now you've changed it it's probably best to keep going with the new one. Which mix are you using?

If you ring the vets for general advice they may tell you what to buy for rehydration. If he doesn't improve by tomorrow though it would be best to take him to the vets. It isn't always expensive - ring them and check.

SnoWolf · 07-21-2018, 09:53 PM

Thank you guys so much for your advice! I’m using Hazel Hamster but it’s the new formula with only 16% protein so I added in some food pellets from another brand that has a lot of protein to increase it a bit. My mom refuses to believe that my hamster has anything wrong with it and thinks that it’s life doesn’t have much value which i’m very mad at but I can’t seem to do anything about. Choices have hence been limited severely and so I’ll try and find out some more. If I used a slight damp cotton bud to clean up his rear end would it harm him? I just really want to clean him up for now

Pebbles82 · 07-21-2018, 10:24 PM

Hazel Hamster is fine on it's own. It actually has more than 16% protein but they're only allowed to declare 16% due to US labelling regulations. Its the same as Harry Hamster in the Uk where the labelling regulations are different and it shows the actual protein level of 18%. I wrote to the manufacturers on this! Both formulas are identical.

If you did want to boost the protein a bit then a mealworm a couple of times a week and half a walnut or brazil nut once or twice a week is a good way to do it - they love fresh food.

Yes you could clean him up a bit but don't use a really wet cloth - wring it out so it's only just damp so he doesn't get too wet or he'll catch a chill.

cypher · 07-21-2018, 10:31 PM

I'm sorry your ham isn't well.
As far as the food goes I would just stick with the Hazel Hamster, as Serendipity says the protein level is higher than it appears to be & at 18 months old you may be doing more harm than good by adding extra protein which he won't need & could put a bit of a strain on his kidneys as he gets older.