advice for ham with wet tail?

boxedmoon · 01-28-2015, 01:53 PM

So I've gone from having a really good week to a really bad one. I lost my baby Chinese for no reason, she was a pet shop ham and went from fine one evening to going to her forever sleep in the morning and now my rescue ham Millie has got wet tail.

We've been to the vets and have anti biotics and critical care for her but over the space of 1 day she has lost a lot of weight and seems to be in a bad place.

The vet said I'd caught it early so we may have a chance, the symptoms only started last night but does anyone have any advice for caring for her. I'm really worried she's the only ham I've ever had that has gotten wet tail

Any advice would be great

Many thanks
Very worried hammy mum

**kyrilliondaemon** · 01-28-2015, 02:19 PM

My only advice would be to try and keep her warm and to keep your fingers crossed I guess. Good luck with her, I hope she makes it

boxedmoon · 01-28-2015, 02:21 PM

Thanks. I'm just hoping she can beat the odds

Rempanda · 01-28-2015, 02:37 PM

Gosh I'm really sorry! That is a really bad week

All you can do is make her as comfortable as possible, and keep her warm. Is it the oxbow critical care?
Keep everything as clean as possible, make sure you wash your hands before handling any food or meds etc. And minimise stress, so no loud noises, any other animals you may have make sure they stay out of the room Millie is in. It is important to keep her hydrated. If she's eating then cucumber is really good for that. Try and coax her to eat some high energy foods like seeds.

Praying for Millie to get better <3
And play well at the bridge little baby! x

cypher · 01-29-2015, 01:24 AM

I'm really sorry to hear the sad news about your Chinese ham & now Millie having wet tail, I think you're doing all you can with her, I really hope she makes it.

racinghamster · 01-29-2015, 03:20 AM

Keep the antibiotics up and routinely. Give her rest in between and the best medicine is to medicate, leave the hamster alone and make sure she has plenty of good food and available water near to her. The male Syrian I had was treated for wet tail as a youngster and pulled through it, so it can work. But don`t miss any dosages and keep your vet informed. If you feel the drug is working, perhaps ask the vet if it`s worth keeping it going for another week to make sure all the bacteria are killed off.

Really sorry to hear about your wee Chinese. x

Thin Lizzy · 01-29-2015, 03:41 AM

This is awful, sorry to hear about your Chinese hamster passing.
Millie having wet tail - keep up with the antibiotics, sometimes they can take a while to kick in.
Make sure you clean everything before having contact with her and make her as comfortable as possible.
Maybe try baby food as it's soft and pureed and refreshen her water more.
Cucumber will keep her hydrated so make sure she gets plenty.
I've got my fingers crossed for her.

Gatsby · 01-29-2015, 04:17 AM

Do you also supplement the diet. Minerals, probiotic etc?

boxedmoon · 01-29-2015, 02:08 PM

Hi all thank you every one

What sort of supplements would you suggest?

I've tried a variety of baby food but she's not interested. I had to swaddle her this morning and since to get her anti biotic in her with a bit of critical care. Although she took a few drops of critical care this evening on her own

But she doesn't seem to be eating or drinking at all other than when I syringe a few drops into her before she becomes really distressed
She warm as I've set the thermostat in the room so she won't get cold but she doesn't come out of her nest other than when I wake her to try get some fluids in her.

I'm worrying as she's not eating I put extra seeds near her nest to try tempt her but she's not touched them.

I'm just really worried as I'm scared I'm not looking after right as she got sick on my watch. Feel so guilty

Gatsby · 01-29-2015, 02:13 PM

Don't beat your self up, I know its not nice but just concentrate on doing all you can at the moment, you can buy mineral blocks, salt lick, lab blocks, you can also get pro biotic powder, I think some people may administer pro biotic yogurt but I don't know which so you would have to look into it more.

If I can find you some links and info I will post it, I'll just bookmark the thread for now