Diarrhoea in young hamsters?

[Miakat]

Hi guys,

So my hamster Legolas is about 6 months old, and he's an albino Syrian. The past weak or so I've noticed he's been a bit lethargic but only in the last few days have other symptoms started to appear. I've noticed that his tail is a bit mucky, hes very lethargic and a little out of it, but seems quite bloated and has lost a lot of weight (I can feel his bones around his rear and on his back) and he's appearing very hunched over. I'm thinking it's most likely due to diarrhoea rather than wet tail - he's still eating, and collecting bedding but he hasn't been drinking unless prompted, so is very dehydrated. I spent the whole night last night waking up every 2 hours to give him water from a syringe to try and get more fluids into him - he'll drink, but only when encouraged. He's had about 7ml in the past night.

He doesn't have that much fresh veg, maybe once or twice a week but in the right sort of sized quantities, and his nest and bedding is always kept clean. He also has vitamin supplements in one of his water bottles.

I have some questions regarding this and any help would be greatly appreciated! My other hamster, Rosie, is absolutely fine at the moment, so it's just this little fella.

- do you guys agree that it's likely to be diarrhoea?
- apart from keeping him hydrated what's the best way to help him get better? Is a trip to the vets a good idea? (my registered vets have never been very good with hamsters and small animals in my experience )
- are there any foods I can give him to help him gain weight back without it making his diarrhoea worse?

Any general tips or advice would be greatly appreciated - he's such a sweet little guy and I'll do anything I can to make him feel better again.

[cypher]

It sounds as though he really needs to see a vet as soon as possible, it doesn't sound like wet tail but I'm no expert on that as I only keep dwarf hams & they don't get wet tail.
It's hard to say what may be causing it but it does sound as though he needs a check up & probably some treatment from the vet.
Porridge or just plain oats can help a little, also give him some probiotics, I generally put that on some wet food not in water bottles.
He won't gain weight until the problem is resolved & giving him the sort of rich foods that would help weight gain may well make it worse.
You could give baby food which has a high water content as well as extra nutrition but check the ingredients are safe, no onions, garlic, salt, sugar or spices. I find baby food for age 4 months rather than older are generally less likely to contain anything hams shouldn't have but still check.

If you can tell us where you are someone may be able to recommend a vet with more hamster experience.

[souffle]

You do need to see a vet. His health does not sound great and at 6 months this is very unusual. It is possible he has an internal tumour I'm afraid. Did he come from a pet store. I have seen quite a lot of young hamsters with these internal tumours and the bloating at quite a young age like this recently A fet could check by examining him. If he has an infection it may be treatable and the sooner he is seen the better chance he has. Are there any other vets you could try?

[Miakat]

Hi guys,

Souffle, unfortunately you were right...I took him to the vets and the man was lily, very gentle with him but determined he probably had a tumour as he found a hard lump on his side, and said that Leggy was very bloated. I can't believe how suddenly this all happened, but they said the kindest thing I could do for him was let him go.

I'm absolutely devastated, I loved the little man to pieces.

Rest in peace, Legolas </3

[Bec]

I am so sorry to hear this, you did the kindest thing, such a sweet little ham taken far too soon. x

[souffle]

I am so very sorry Miakat. I think he had a wonderful life in the time he had with you. Your decision made from love was the right one and he will be running free at the bridge now.
Some hamsters live a whole lifetime of love in a short time and I think he did.
Never regret that decision. You gave him your best x

[cypher]

I'm so sorry Miakat, you did the kindest thing for little Legolas, I'm sure his short life with you was filled with love & he knew he was loved at the end, try to take comfort in that & know that he is at peace now.

[Hamsterita]

Sorry for your lost, it's terrible when they die so young, but you did what you could