Wet tail

[Tams_pets]

Hello all!
I am worried about my new baby Syrian "teddy bear" hamster. I am supposed to go pick a pup from the litter at my favorite rescue and it's my FIRST time owning a hamster. I own rabbits and cats. I have been very well informed by Erin's Hamsters on YouTube on hamster care, but wet tail scares me very much. I heard that something called bene-bac works in helping to prevent wet tail? I of course would take my hamster to the vet if he/she contracted it, and I am FULLY AWARE of every single precaution to take. I simply had to ask if anyone uses this. It's supposed to work like yogurt works for humans in the sense it builds up good bacteria in a hamsters immune system whereas other drops and antibiotics kill the good bacteria when trying to treat wet tail. Thoghts? Thank you loves.

-Tam

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'd not worry too much about wet tail to be honest. Its pretty rare and as long as you take sensible precautions to minimise stress when bringing your ham home you probably won't need to worry about it

[NiceCrocs]

The thing about wet tail is that the bacteria is common: almost every hamster will come into contact with it at least a couple times in their life, and in almost all cases, the immune system will stamp it out. No symptoms, no danger, it'll just pass right through them.

The only time it becomes dangerous is if the immune system is compromised; by a genetic problem in some cases, or more commonly by stress. Most cases of dangerous wet tail occur with new or under-informed owners who don't know how to handle a new hamster, who cause more stress than is needed.

Clearly, you are well informed, the odds of your hamster developing wet tail is very, very low if you take the proper precautions to reduce stress (take some of the old substrate with you, don't handle the hamster for a few days, keep the room dim and quiet, et al).

One last thing: syrian urine is very thick and yellow and cloudy, and it's not uncommon for new owners to mistake it for wet tail or diarrhea (happened to me, lol). So don't panic if you see this; it's actually a sign of a healthy hamster.

[Tams_pets]

Thank you for taking the time to give helpful feedback! Much appreciated

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Bene-Bac won't hurt, but it's much less costly to sprinkle Probiotic powder on the food given daily for 7 days. Also be sure to collect a good amount of the currently fed food at the rescue(most give you enough supply to easily mix the food you will use to avoid tummy upset) One thing often over looked though is the water. If the rescue has different water source then your home it never hurts to bring and empty gallon jug and fill it with the Hamsters water used at the rescue and then like the food mix the two waters 50/50 and gradually switch over to 100% your water.

I do this when sending home my rescues to give the pup as much familiarities as possible in their new homes.

[Tams_pets]

Thank you for your fantastic feedback! Much appreciated