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Old 06-13-2019, 12:21 PM   #1
angelleighr
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Join Date: Jun 2019
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Exclamation Urgent help! Hunched baby Roborovski Dwarf Hamster!!

I just got a baby Roborovski Dwarf hamster from a local pet store the day before yesterday. He is about half the size of my thumb and much tinier than the others that were there with him. They said he was somewhere under six months but that they had no idea exactly how old he is. The first night home, I noticed his tail was wet, but tried not to jump to conclusions. He is very active and social, and the first night home he hobbled up a bunch of food and took nut and seed treats from my hand. Last night and today, however, I noticed that he is walking with a noticeable hunch, which he did not have yesterday. I haven’t seen him eat and haven’t noticed any more food missing yet today unless he did it while I wasn’t home, and he won’t take treats today. His tail is sometimes wet and sometimes dry.
I don’t know if these things are normal because I’ve never had a hamster this young before. I’m extremely worried about the chances of wet tail, although I heard it’s extremely uncommon in robo dwarfs. I haven’t seen any poop (not solid or liquid) in the cage, but he’s so tiny that I don’t think I would notice them either way. I also don’t smell the distinct “wet tail smell”, but I don’t know how long it takes for them to have that scent.
Please let me know if you think I’m overreacting or if these things are normal for a baby! Thanks!
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Old 06-13-2019, 04:32 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Urgent help! Hunched baby Roborovski Dwarf Hamster!!

Hunching isn't a good sign. Is it possible he's had a fall? They are so tiny and fall risks can be an issue in a cage. What cage is it? They need quite a low cage or a tank style really. I don't think robos can get wet tail - it is something Syrians get. However they could get an upset stomach and a change of diet too quick can do that sometimes. Keep an eye on him and if he is still hunched he may need to go to the vets.
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Old 06-13-2019, 06:51 PM   #3
angelleighr
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Default Re: Urgent help! Hunched baby Roborovski Dwarf Hamster!!

He passed suddenly in my boyfriend’s hands while I was at work. When the store manager examined him she confirmed that it was in fact wet tail and said that their suppliers have been frequently giving them sick animals and they are trying to resolve it, she was very remorseful however and let us bury him rather than taking him to the back.
I figured that he had it but I was hoping the things I read about robos not getting wet tail were true.
Thank you anyway for your help!
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Old 06-14-2019, 01:23 AM   #4
Shannonmcn
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Default Re: Urgent help! Hunched baby Roborovski Dwarf Hamster!!

It doesn't have to be wet tail for it to cause the same problems. Any digestive issue that causes diarrhoea is just as dangerous and can be caused by a lot of things. That might not be helpful to you now I know but don't blame yourself for spotting/ not spotting wet tail signs. There was likely nothing you could have done, they're so tiny and delicate and the dehydration caused by this sort of problem can kill even human beings in the wrong circumstances.

RIP little friend.
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Old 06-14-2019, 04:36 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Urgent help! Hunched baby Roborovski Dwarf Hamster!!

They are not experts in wet tail and that is used as an explanation for any diarrhoea. Diarrhoea causes dehydration very quickly but not the same as wet tail.

I am very sorry this has happened to you. It is absolutely heart-breaking. Your baby robo clearly had health problems before you got him. It is nothing you have done. Unfortunately there are hamster farms with terrible breeding programmes and that is where many pet stores get their supplies from. The Hamsters are bred inappropriately leading to a high risk of genetic illness. It sounds like your baby hamster may have been born with problems to start with and also acquired something else from the pet shop.

Stress lowers their immune system so they are more likely to go down with something.

I am very sorry for your loss and suggest you think about possibly getting a pedigree hamster either from a bona fide breeder direct next time, or a smaller pet store that breeds their own and is more reputable.

If you're in the US it can be hard to find breeders. In the Uk the National Hamster Council lists it's accredited breeders.

The other option is to adopt a rescue hamster - either from a pet rescue or via private ads -there are many people trying to rehome unwanted hamsters.

I always reckon if they've survived being ready to rehome, they are healthy!
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