Wet tail in breeder hamster

[Hampus]

Hey! I'm new to this forum, we don't have a hamster yet, but getting one in May when the breeder are planning her new litter.

I have read a lot about wet tail and have come to understand that hamster carries this bacteria that causes wet tail, and when it becomes too stressed or have bad immune system the illness will/may show. So I was just thinking around this, and start to wondering, if you buy from a breeder were none of her breeding hamsters nor babies have gotten wet tail, could this mean that her hamster don't carry the bacteria, or will all Syrians sooner or later have the bacteria in them that could cause wet tail? I hope this isn't a too stupid question. And I'm not English speaking, so pardon my typing.

(I was also wondering how long hamsters from breeders usually gets? We're having a boy, I know they are smaller than the girls, but the grown up Syrians I have seen in pet store have been no longer than 10-12 cm, maybe 15 at most.)

[happy hamster 101]

Hi hampus, and welcome!

Don't worry, there is no such thing as a stupid question! you are partially right about wet tail ( as far as I know ) wet tail is caused when their stressed or their immune system is weakened. However they don't carry the bacteria, but its not a rare bacteria. They just get wet tail ( or profilative illeitus ) when they meet the bacteria and they are stressed or have a weakened immune system. And all Syrians can develop it in their life but don't have to, I would reccomend when you first get your hammie leave it in its cage without interaction for 2 -3 days or longer as it will reduce the risk.

As for how long they grow you are probably correct, 10-12cm, maybe 15
Hope this helped and good luck with your new hammie.! XXX

[Hampus]

Thank you for your answer! Don't worry, I'm going to leave him the first couple of days anyway, I was just curious.

Really, only 10-12 cm? They just seem so big in pictures, like a lot bigger than peoples hands, but the ones in the pet shop looked really tiny, maybe I have giant hands...

We are not really allowed pets where my boyfriend and I rents, but we were allowed a hamster! Yey! I can't live in a house with no animals, that would be torture! Have never had a hamster before though, so looking forward to that I think I have read every hamster related page on the whole internet, well almost. Hehe. Two months are unbearable

[Artisans_uk]

Hi Hampus - Syrian hamsters from breeders certainly are much larger than those in the stores but I am not expert as to how big they can grow but having been to my first show a couple of weeks ago, I was amazed at the size of the Syrians, a handful doesn't quite describe many of them.

So glad that you've been allowed to have a hamster where you live.

[happy hamster 101]

Same with me! We can have hamsters but not other animals... Artisans is probably right they might be bigger from breeders, but that doesn't take away the ultra cuteness from their furry little lives! You probably know a lot from so much reaserch! I'm sure you are going to take great care of him/her two months IS ABSOLUTELY unbareable, good luck with your new hamster! Wishing you luck! XXX

[Artisans_uk]

Originally Posted by happy hamster 101

Same with me! We can have hamsters but not other animals... Artisans is probably right they might be bigger from breeders, but that doesn't take away the ultra cuteness from their furry little lives! You probably know a lot from so much reaserch! I'm sure you are going to take great care of him/her two months IS ABSOLUTELY unbareable, good luck with your new hamster! Wishing you luck! XXX

Happy hamster, I think their larger size adds to their cuteness, although I am not a Syrian owner, I do melt a fair bit when I see those gorgeous, large balls of fluff, especially in their show cages, either sleeping or appealing with those eyes....awwww, I'm away.

[Hampus]

I don't mind them being big we are a getting a long haired one, and most likely a boy.

We have already purchased the cage, got an ok deal, cages are really expensive here, at least those of descent size... We paid around 200 dollars for the Imac rat 80! That was the cheapest cage I could find that was not tiny.. Hamsters here costs around 45-50 dollars though, so everything is kind of expenisive here. I still feel like the cage is too small though, but I don't think my boyfriend will let me buy a new one...

Am I allowed to write about other stuff in my tread? It's in the health section, so I was thinking it might be wrong to talk about cages? Sorry in advance if that is so!

[happy hamster 101]

That is true artisans! I'm quite surprised at how fast my frosting is growing! In a week he grew about 2cm
=-O

[Artisans_uk]

Originally Posted by happy hamster 101

That is true artisans! I'm quite surprised at how fast my frosting is growing! In a week he grew about 2cm
=-O

Wow - my goodness, that's a lot of growing in a week.

[happy hamster 101]

I know, it is alot I'll be needing to get a new wheel soon! If it is actually small I do reccomend buying a big sized bin cage as they don't cost a lot, you can find lots of results on Google for images and every thing, you just get a plastic bin and cut out holes in them replaced by mesh. Also you can use an IKEA detolf display cabinet, don't know about dollars, built £40. Just build it with no door and no selves and lay it on its back. Hope this helped. XXX