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Old 06-18-2021, 10:37 AM   #1
Imogen
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Default What diseases are there for hamsters?

Hi guys!

I've done my fair time of researching hamster diseases from when I studied animal care as a course for a qualification (now graduated) and would like some help this time for finding out about a few hamster diseases/illnesses/issues etc.

When studying animals, I mostly focused on horses (as their my big passion) but at some point throughout my study I decided to include hamsters too! But I didn't just study diseases, I studied up to 13 different topics from Zoonotics, biology, healthchecking real animals, buisness and enterprise in the animal industry, ecology and conservation, aquatics (fish), welfare and ethics, animal behaviour (such as abnormal and normal behaviours) and a lot more for both mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish.

During my small section of research I came across these various possible hamster issues

• Wet-tail
• Wheel-tail (but this is mostly related to rats than hamsters. But possible!)
• Back problems from wheels
• Mites/fleas/worms
• All abnormal behaviours such as; bar chewing, aggressiveness, environment pacing/circling, over-grooming/licking, self injury etc.
• Sticky eye
• Growths on hamsters such as cancers and abscesses
• Bumble foot

But would like to know if there's anymore!

Feel free to just send over some names of diseases etc. and I'll happily research into them further and expand my knowledge!
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Old 06-18-2021, 10:55 AM   #2
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: What diseases are there for hamsters?

Pyometra and UTI's
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Old 06-18-2021, 11:44 AM   #3
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: What diseases are there for hamsters?

A nice cheap reference book (that is outdated for the cages section but the healthcare still stands) is "Hamsterlopaedia", I still go to it for a flick through
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Old 06-18-2021, 12:38 PM   #4
sushi_78
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Default Re: What diseases are there for hamsters?

Diabetes is common in Chinese and Russian dwarf hamsters.

Blocked or infected scent glands - mostly in dwarfs I think

Impacted cheek pouches.
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Old 06-18-2021, 01:25 PM   #5
Ria P
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Default Re: What diseases are there for hamsters?

Their bodies have the same organs as humans so they can get similar diseases.

I had a diabetic hamster who died of a suspected stroke, one went blind in old age, another had suspected bladder stones, one had a uti and a problem with her lymphatic system and currently i'm back and forth to the vets with three of my dwarfs.

One may be facing surgery depending on the lab result of the fluid taken for analysis from a soft lump.

It is advisable to have a fairly substantial vet fund.
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Old 06-18-2021, 01:41 PM   #6
Imogen
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Default Re: What diseases are there for hamsters?

Quote:
It is advisable to have a fairly substantial vet fund.
Already have this down to a T for my hamster and any possible ones in future!
I would like to know though, how much would it be to euthanize a hamster?

From old research I've seen it can cost anything from £5 up to £50 varying on different practices. But I do know places like vets4pets are among one of the very cheapest sitting at around £15 in my area for hamsters.

I'm doing this to create my animal website for information on a lot animals from how their anatomy works (possibly) down to simple health care.
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Old 06-18-2021, 01:47 PM   #7
sushi_78
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Default Re: What diseases are there for hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Imogen View Post
Already have this down to a T for my hamster and any possible ones in future!
I would like to know though, how much would it be to euthanize a hamster?

From old research I've seen it can cost anything from £5 up to £50 varying on different practices. But I do know places like vets4pets are among one of the very cheapest sitting at around £15 in my area.
It does vary a lot. I paid £24 last time. There are also extra costs for weekend or out-of-hours vet care. I had to have a gerbil put to sleep at 11pm on a Sunday night once and it cost something like £120.

It's best to find a vet near you that can treat hamsters and register with them now, and also ask them what their fees are.
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Old 06-18-2021, 02:12 PM   #8
Imogen
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Default Re: What diseases are there for hamsters?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi_78 View Post
It does vary a lot. I paid £24 last time. There are also extra costs for weekend or out-of-hours vet care. I had to have a gerbil put to sleep at 11pm on a Sunday night once and it cost something like £120.

It's best to find a vet near you that can treat hamsters and register with them now, and also ask them what their fees are.
Oh of course! What a fool! I never even thought about out of hours vet care etc. thank you for reminding me on that!

£120 is a lot but well worth it for keeping our little hams healthy and happy. I saw a poll not long ago from hamster care group UK and some people have paid £500+ on their hamsters. (of course, surgery wise). It's amazing how expensive all animals can really be, no matter their size.
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