Can All Species Of Hamster Get Wet Tail?

[Cathii]

Everyone says different things - can all species of hamster get wet tail? I've heard it's just Syrians, but on some websites I've read all of them can.

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'm pretty sure only syrians can get true wet tail but all species can get diarrhoea

[Charley101]

I always assumed it was just syrians too

[vanilla-yazoo]

I belive hamsterlopaedia said it has occured very rarely with dwarfs, and is so rare its mostly unheard of and thought of.

Ild think its like a 0.1% for dwarfs to have it
but syrians can get it quite easily if they are stressed. particularly younger syrians. it isnt unheard of in older ones.

[Cathii]

Okay, I guess Pepper shouldn't be at risk then. Thanks for your replies

[racinghamster]

I would agree that it`s a syrian condition and one that is mainly brought about due to stress (for example being moved to a new home environment and disturbed too often) or a direct change in diet not done over time. The bacteria concerned is a type of e.coli which already exists in the gut but can multiply to a stage where it can cause disease. As in human patients, there are different strains of this bacteria and some are mild while some are more virilant, which is why antibiotics are needed quickly if very smelly, water diarrhoea is seen aswell as accompanied symptoms like matted fur around the rear end and rapid weight loss.

In dwarfs I would say it`s less of an issue and dwarf hamsters tend to cope very well with diet changes right away, while syrians need to be weaned off foods a bit slower and not fed too many sloppy/wet foods too often unless required.

[Cathii]

@racinghamster, that makes sense! Thanks!

[moonie]

I have heard of cases where Dwarfs get it (I could be wrong) but it seems to be mostly a Syrian hamster problem.

Best of luck!