Treating ongoing diarrhoea in Syrian hamster

Syrianfriend · 08-31-2020, 07:35 AM

Hi everyone, my little lad Smudge has had mild diarrhoea for about 4 weeks. He seems otherwise fine, still eating and drinking and playing. I've cut his fresh food back, but it's still going on, also once or twice he's weed on my hand as well, which is unusual for him as he's usually good with using his potty corner. Just wondering if it could be anything serious and if there's a simple home treatment? An online vet saw him a few weeks back and said it's definitely not wet tail and just to keep an eye on it. He's about 1 year 2 months old. Thanks!

Ria P · 08-31-2020, 08:19 AM

I would definitely have him seen by a vet, preferably an exotics vet or a vet with rodent knowledge.

Personally, i would never speculate with a hamster's health and use homely remedies or use an online vet but i'm suspicious and mistrusting by nature.

I hope that a vet will be able to find out what is wrong with your hamster and treat him accordingly.

Pebbles82 · 08-31-2020, 08:21 AM

Hi there. Is it watery or just soft poops? They only need a tiny bit of veg each day - about 1cm square size - to give an idea of quantity. Another thing that can give them diarrhoea is a change of hamster mix (which needs to be done gradually).

If it’s nothing good related then there could be something else going on that is age related. Peeing on your hand may not be anything though - that could just be coincidence.

What you could try is giving him a probiotic regularly as it helps balance and settle their digestive system. Cypher on here uses Dr S from rat rations.

Try that for a month or so. If you notice anything smelling particularly foul it could be an infection so keep an eye on that.

What hamster mix is he on? Some have too much roughage (in particular the Oxbow essentials which isn’t good for hamsters).

Pebbles82 · 08-31-2020, 08:22 AM

Posted at the same time as Ria. Just asking a few questions to see what’s what but yes it may need an actual vet visit.

Syrianfriend · 08-31-2020, 08:40 AM

Thanks for the ideas! Hmm he has not had a change of diet, except I'm giving him less fresh food than usual (yesterday he had one pea and a tiny sliver of fresh mint). He's usually had a fair bit more than that with no problems. His dry food is the same as ever.

It's just watery poo, it doesn't really smell. He seems too young still for age-related issues, my previous hammies both got to two and a half, but I'm concerned in case it might be a stomach cancer or something.

I heard you can get kaolin drops but I expect that has to come from the vet anyway. I kept thinking this will clear up but it hasn't!

Pebbles82 · 08-31-2020, 05:01 PM

In that case seeing an exotic vet is the thing to do and find the cause, get a diagnosis and possible treatmdbty. I wouldn’t try any over the counter remedies like kaolin - hamster doses of medicine are very specific and tiny doses and even some vets have difficulty working them out - plus only certain meds are safe for hamsters (only one or two antibiotics and one or two types of pain relief can be tolerated). They don’t even tolerate anaesthetic has well. And each dose of that can have a knock on effect. A probiotic is safe to give but it does sound like you need him checking over.

Google exotic vets in your region - there is bound to be one not too far away.

Syrianfriend · 09-04-2020, 03:35 AM

Hello! Thanks to all of you for your kind replies. Just wanted to tell you I took Smudge to see a small animal specialist yesterday. She said it may be a bacterial infection, but she also found a lump in his upper tummy near his front paws, which means it might be a tumour. He is taking antibiotics now and really hoping he will improve; if not he's got to go back in 7 days. I've been reading about lymphoma and am worried he might have that

But will just have to wait and see what happens.

Syrianfriend · 09-19-2020, 01:58 AM

Sad news I'm afraid, poor little Smudge died ��The antibiotics sorted out his diarrhoea but meanwhile he started having other issues; his tummy suddenly went really bald and he started weeing in his bed, and he seemed off his food too. So he had another vet check, but the vet thought he was OK and he seemed cheerful and lively. He was then really busy and active for several days until on Thursday he collapsed and was obviously close to death. I rushed him to the vet who said his liver and kidneys had failed and he had a mass in his stomach and it was hopeless to treat him, so they put him to sleep. I had no idea his organs were in trouble but now I think from his symptoms he may have had amyloidosis or perhaps stomach cancer.

Just wondering if anyone has any tips on what to do with his toys and cage? I'd like to have another hamster in the future, but some of the toys are difficult to disinfect fully (wood, rattan); is it likely a tummy infection could transfer after a long period in storage? I'm not actually sure if he had an infection at all or if it was just part of whatever disease he had developed; at any rate I don't think it could be wet tail as it only seemed to be quite mild and on/off.

Missing my little furry hero a lot!!

Syrianfriend · 09-19-2020, 02:01 AM

It makes me wonder also how the first vet didn't realise it was more serious, as she was an exotics specialist. She gave him a clean bill of health after the antibiotics. I had a similar experience before with my first hamster, gorgeous little Fluffy, where the local vet thought he was fine and then he died of kidney failure around a week later. Just wondering if this is normal? Is it really hard even for specialist vets to know what is wrong with our little buddies? Or do they prefer not to tell us the truth so we can enjoy our last days/weeks/months together?

cypher · 09-19-2020, 02:56 AM

I’m so sorry for your loss, I think sometimes it an be hard for even exotic vets to know for sure what exactly is wrong with ur hams when they get sick & hams are very good at appearing to be ok when they’re not as it’s the nature of a prey animal to do it’s best not to appear vulnerable, some vets will have more experience & knowledge than others but even the good ones may struggle without extensive tests which aren’t always possible for such a small animal & may require anaesthetic which can be too risky when they aren’t well or blood tests which again aren’t always possible or practical with such small animals, it can leave you feeling very helpless & let down but you did all you could for Smudge.