Wet Tail

[NaomiR]

Originally Posted by ilovemyhammies

how long was he poorly for?

Not long at all, it all happened REALLY quickly; Sunday morning he was fine, Sunday afternoon he was not. I lost him Tuesday afternoon

[NaomiR]

worst news possible another hamster has wet tail symptoms, I'm going to shoot myself.

I spent yesterday Virkoning the floors, walls and shelving units I don't know what else to do?

I have other syrians and I am now extreemly paranoid they're going to get this in which case I will definiately shoot myself.

Thankfully the dwarfs seem to be in the clear (are they immune??) but who knows??

The worst part is I was due to get rescues in this week that I've had to turn down because I can't have anything coming in right now, I've no idea what will (now) happen to the rescues who have already been turned away from 2 re-homing places locally.

THIS IS A TOTAL NIGHTMARE.

[Basia]

Oh Naomi, I'm so sorry. I guess you have been getting information but these are good article:
http://www.britishhamsterassociation.or ... ilfact.htm
http://www.britishhamsterassociation.or ... tailpm.htm

Its my understanding that dwarfs don't get wet-tail, just Syrians. You are doing the right thing using Virkon everywhere, isolate the sick hamster and barrier nurse. Can you get someone else to feed your other hamsters for now?

*hugs* to you Gill x

[Noodles]

Oh I am so so sorry to hear this I hope he is OK

Try not to worry about the rescue ones - I am sure someone will take them and they'll be fine - just concentrate on your babies. I hope they all stay healthy.

I have read that dwarfs can't get wet tail, just bad diarrhea.

We'll be thinking of you.

[souffle]

Oh no you poor thing. Wet tail has a very distictive smell to the hamsters. Can you detect any abnormal odour. You need to check your feed bins in case anything is contaminated from the shop, check bedding substrates etc for any sign that birds,mice or rats have had access. Look for wee or droppings in the bags. Burn the rubbish from the infected hamster if possible. Use miltons baby bottle sterilisor on all food dishes and water bottles and keep the poorly one isolated. It could be another type of infection such as salmonella from bird droppings in the bedding. It may be worth getting the vet to do a culture and sensitivity test on the ill ones faeces to try and identify the exact cause. Hope everything works out well soon. You have your hands full at the moment so don't worry about anyone except your current residents till all are stable. Dwarfs wont get true wet tail however if it is an infection such as salmonella, campylobactor or another bacteria they could get this.
Hugs to you all and get well soon little one.

[BatKat]

Fingers crossed everyone is ok. Please don't shoot yourself, the hamsters won't have anyone to feed them & it's very messy Sterilising everything is the way forward and hopefully after 7 days without anyone else becoming infected you should be ok. Stay postive

[Holly]

Sorry to hear about your difficulties Naomi, I hope you can contain this and that things will soon start to look a bit brighter, it's my worst nightmare and is something that any of us who keep more than a few hamsters need to be aware of. I'm keeping everything crossed for you and your little guys.

[Spuds Mum]

Oh no! I do hope the little one pulls through xx

[internet_nobody]

Oh how awful Sorry Naomi. Your dwarfies should be fine, they can't contract wet tail.

[NaomiR]

The dwarfies "seem" fine right now, I have a cage in each room of the house for the next 7 days

The syrians are together in the shed because if they're infected the damage is already done as they all share the same floor space

Chunky is looking good but SBP is going to the vets this morning, her ears are up and she's eating (for Europe) but she's very lethargic and a little bit smelly.

This is my worst nightmare come ture, it's hit me like a tidal wave.