Hamster diseases and their treatment. Why did the hamster lose its hind legs?

Hamsters make great pets. Very smart, clean and cute little animals. Unfortunately, they, like others, are susceptible to the disease. Due to their small size, diseases pose a particular danger to them. Very often, owners are faced with incomprehensible behavior of the animal. Often there is only one conclusion - the hamster is sick. Probably, every owner should know approximately the diseases that threaten the animal and their symptoms.

The most common are allergies and pneumonia. For these diseases, the hamster's mouth

is constantly in the open position. There is also heavy breathing.

Allergies are not only manifested by heavy breathing. It is accompanied by sneezing. It develops due to irritants that surround the hamster. This could be food, sawdust, or detergents that you use to clean the cage. To get rid of allergies, it is enough to simply protect your pet from the irritant. Remember what changes in nutrition, cleaning or bedding have occurred recently. Eliminate them and the allergy will quickly stop.

It's another matter if your hamster breathes through his mouth.

due to pneumonia. This disease is much more dangerous than allergies. Symptoms include heavy breathing, sneezing, apathy and lethargy. The animal immediately changes in behavior. Does not show active behavior and loses appetite. In this case, you must definitely consult a doctor. Such diseases cannot be treated at home. If you do not want to allow your pet to die, you should contact a veterinary clinic.

A disease such as pneumonia is also quite common. The symptoms are the same as for pneumonia. This disease also poses a great threat to the life of your baby.

In such cases, you should never delay treatment. Hamsters die from pneumonia quite often.

To get quick and high-quality help, you can not just go to a veterinary clinic, but also call a specialist at home. This makes it possible to help your animal as quickly as possible.

A qualified veterinarian provides quality medical care and advice. Don't forget about the health of your pets.

Cute fluffy hamsters are very active and inquisitive animals. During periods of activity, funny Syrian and Djungarian hamsters can scurry around in their cage for hours, run along stairs and tunnels, and play in the hands of their owners. Sometimes you can notice that the hamster's hind legs have failed. This disease can occur in pets at any age, even with the best care.

Why can hamsters' paws fail?

There are a huge number of reasons why your beloved pet may have lost its hind legs:

Insufficient physical activity

When rodents are kept in small cages and there are no devices for animal play in them, hamsters experience a decrease in activity and. Lack of exercise and a sedentary lifestyle cause bone tissue destruction and muscle atrophy, as a result the hamster becomes lethargic, drags its hind legs, and some individuals lose the ability to move. To prevent the development of obesity, it is necessary to keep animals in spacious cages, provide them with physical activity and

Injuries

The hind limbs can become paralyzed after a hamster falls from even a small height.

The baby can jump from the owner’s hands onto the floor or from the upper floor of the cage, on a grated floor or ladder; the consequences of these accidents are dislocations and fractures of the spine and limbs, bruises of internal organs and internal hemorrhages.

After damage, it is recommended to limit the mobility of your furry pet as much as possible, remove all toys, tunnels, ladders, and wheels from the cage. It is best to place the animal in an aquarium or container for 2-3 weeks; crushed ordinary white napkins can be used as filler. It is necessary to feed the hamster with foods containing calcium: kefir or yogurt, lettuce,... It is advisable to show the animal to a veterinarian. To avoid injuries, it is necessary to remove all floors in the cage and carefully monitor the pet when it is in your hands, on the sofa, or table.

Stress

Sudden paralysis of the hind limbs can develop in Djungarians as a result of a stroke or heart attack against the background of severe stress, which can be caused by sharp screams, blows, being chased by a dog or cat, intrusiveness of owners and insufficient care. In case of severe fright, instant death of the pet is possible. In case of paralysis of the hind legs, it is necessary to create a comfortable, calm environment for the baby with good nutrition, change the bedding frequently, do not force feed the hamster, do not force a small rodent to play, and exclude sharp sounds and communication with other pets. To prevent stressful situations, it is necessary to create a cozy environment for your pet with good nutrition and the absence of harsh sounds and intrusiveness from children and animals.

Elderly age

Hamsters of advanced age sometimes experience paralysis of the hind limbs. You may also notice that the old rodent's legs tremble in its sleep. Such neurological manifestations are associated with age and indicate an emergency. It is necessary on your part to provide your furry friend with care and proper care.

Diseases

Infectious, oncological, inflammatory diseases of internal organs and hernias can cause paralysis of your pet’s hind legs. In addition, lethargy, lack of appetite, disheveled fur, dirty genitals, etc. may be observed. To clarify the diagnosis, find out the cause and prescribe effective treatment in such cases, it is necessary to urgently take the animal to a specialist or call a doctor at home. In hamsters, pathological processes develop rapidly; the course and outcome of the disease depend on the timeliness of seeking medical attention and the initiation of therapy.

Love your cute fluffies, avoid injuries and stress; if paralysis of the hind legs occurs, try to contact a veterinary clinic as soon as possible. Most often, the baby can be cured and provided with a carefree and happy life.

Why did the hamster lose its hind legs?

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Treatment

It is impossible to figure out if a hamster has a broken leg or a dislocation at home. The most correct action in this situation would be to contact a veterinary clinic, if possible, to a veterinarian. This is a veterinarian who specializes in the treatment of rodent diseases. With the help of visual examination and palpation of the damaged limb, the specialist will make the correct diagnosis. In some controversial cases, radiography may be prescribed. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. In case of a closed fracture, a plaster cast is applied, and the animal is given painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. If open, surgical intervention is possible, in some cases amputation. If the fracture is not treated, the leg will heal itself over time, but not correctly, and the hamster will remain lame for the rest of its life. If an open fracture is left untreated, gangrene may develop. Then death is inevitable.

It happens that it is not possible to seek help from a specialist. This may be due to the fact that there is no veterinary clinic in the locality. What should an owner do when his hamster breaks its leg?

Ensure complete rest;
Try it yourself, knowing the symptoms, determine the severity of the injury;
Apply Levomikol ointment to the site of swelling;
In case of an open fracture, be sure to treat the sharpening bone with an antibacterial agent. Cover the paw with a bandage.

In two to three days you will see the effectiveness of your actions. If the limb begins to dry out or turn black, then amputation is necessary. In some cases, rodents amputate the diseased limb on their own, gnawing it off.

How can you tell if your pet is sick?

If your pet is sick, he may experience the following changes:

apathy and lethargy;
no appetite;
the wool has become tangled, has lost its shine, is falling out or matted;
there is discharge from the eyes and nose;
pollution near the anus;
constipation and gastrointestinal disorders;
severe nervousness and aggression of the animal;
temperature.

Since hamsters have a very fast metabolism, the first symptoms and signs of illness are immediately visible. At the same time, the deterioration of the condition also occurs quickly, which is why it is very important to provide the pet with the necessary help and treatment in a timely manner.

Diseases that pet hamsters are susceptible to

"Wet Tail"

Wet tail is also a very common condition that affects Syrian hamsters. It got its name because of the main accompanying symptom - a wet area of fur around the anus. This is due to the fact that the disease causes very severe watery diarrhea, often mixed with blood. The disease itself carries severe complications and is highly contagious. Animals aged 3 to 8 weeks, as well as those that have suffered severe stress or other infectious diseases, are most vulnerable to infection.

In addition to the fact that the pet experiences severe diarrhea, the area near the anus gets dirty and wet, the hamster becomes very lethargic and apathetic. The animal stops eating and practically does not drink. However, this is precisely what causes the death of hamsters in most cases – dehydration. In just a couple of days, severe diarrhea can dehydrate the body by more than 70%, which can already lead to death. Upon recovery, lifelong immunity is acquired, but there may be complications such as inflammation of the anal mucosa, rectal prolapse, intestinal obstruction, etc.

The animal must be treated under the supervision of a veterinarian, so when the first symptoms are detected, it is important to take the pet to the veterinary clinic. The treatment itself is difficult and is based on the administration of antibiotics, probiotics and combating dehydration. Quarantine and very strict hygiene are prescribed.

Dehydration

Dehydration is not an independent disease, but only a consequence of ailments associated with a sudden loss of moisture in the animal’s body. As we have already said, dehydration can occur as a result of severe diarrhea due to increased temperature and heat. At the same time, the animal’s breathing slows down, it becomes lethargic and weak, exhausted, and a very rapid death occurs.

You can check the degree of dehydration using one method: pull the hamster's fur up; if it remains standing and does not return to its previous position, then the loss of moisture is already high. If it is not caused by diarrhea, then you need to include vegetables with a high water content, such as cucumbers, in your diet. In other cases, you need to make and forcefully give water with sugar and salt.

Constipation

Improper feeding, too dry food and lack of moisture lead to constipation in hamsters. This is also a very common problem at home. It is quite difficult to notice its first manifestations, first of all, there is less litter in the cage, and what is small in size, very dense and dry, there may be slight moisture around the anus. Judging by its behavior, you can notice that the animal is stooping, takes certain poses, eats poorly, and squeaks.

You can treat it by including fiber and plenty of fruits and vegetables in your diet. You can also add a drop of vegetable oil to the food. If no improvement is observed after 1-2 days, the pet should be shown to a veterinarian.

Hamster colds

Since hamsters are quite small animals, they are especially susceptible to colds. The cage should not be placed near open windows, in the cold, or in a draft. If you have a cold, your pet may experience sneezing, runny nose, and discharge from the eyes. In more serious cases, appetite is lost, the pet becomes lethargic, breathes heavily, has a fever and shakes. If you have a cold, you need to put the cage in a warm room, put a lot of bedding, and give the animal vitamins and fruits. With a minor cold, the symptoms of the disease disappear after 2-3 days.

If the cold is severe and the animal’s condition is serious, then you need to show it to the veterinarian. The fact is that colds often cause complications and your pet can get bronchitis or pneumonia. Give rest and provide good care and proper treatment to your hamster.

Allergy

As strange as it may sound, hamsters are also susceptible to allergies. As a rule, it occurs on certain foods, feed, sawdust and other bedding materials. At the same time, the hamster sneezes, rubs his nose all the time with his paw, itches, squeaks, and discharge appears from the nose and eyes. It is almost impossible to treat allergies, so what causes the allergic reaction is simply removed from the animal’s diet or environment. In rare cases, you can give an injection for choking.

Baldness (molting)

Eye problems

Problems with the eyes, namely excessive tearing, mucus discharge, and clumping, can occur as a result of a cold, allergies, or eye infection. Here it is important to observe the progress of the disease. If your eyes are watery, it is most likely an allergy. If the discharge from the eyes becomes mucous or purulent, it is an infection. You can cure only by knowing the cause of the disease.

For common colds and allergies, you can wipe your eyes with a cotton swab dipped in warm water. When treating an infection, the eyes must be treated with a special agent or a solution of boric acid (1:1 water and acid). In particularly severe cases, a course of antibiotics may be required.

Obesity

A fat hamster is a fairly common occurrence, and there is even a comparison when they say: “fat like a hamster.” However, excessive fatness of these rodents leads to serious diseases. For example, when animals are overweight, shortness of breath appears; when running, the animal breathes heavily, the pulse quickens, which leads to a strong strain on the heart. This is why fat hamsters do not live long because their cardiovascular system is under excessive stress. At the same time, it cannot be said that obesity is a disease, so there is no way to cure the animal; everything is solved gradually with the help of physical activity and a special diet.

Fainting

A hamster may faint or have a concussion if it falls from a height. It is very dangerous if an animal falls from a height onto its side or stomach. In this case, it can damage internal organs. Fainting, loss of appetite, feces or urine with blood are all reasons to urgently contact a veterinarian. It is worth remembering that hamsters are nimble and curious, so during a walk you need to make sure that your pet does not fall from a height and get hurt. There is no need to make too high houses or ladders in the cage.

Caring for a pet with paralysis

During the rehabilitation period, avoid traditional medicine. Natural components often cause allergic reactions and are ineffective outside of complex therapy.

Review your diet, making it easily digestible and fortified. The main emphasis is on calcium and B vitamins. Eliminate any foods that cause fermentation - legumes, baked goods, unprocessed cabbage, spinach, apples, mushrooms and dried fruits. Due to flatulence, pain worsens, so it is more difficult for the pet to survive the healing of wounds left after surgery, if any.

Wash your pet regularly to prevent bedsores and unpleasant odors. At first it will be difficult for him to get to the toilet, so lay out disposable diapers and regularly change his sleeping place. With timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable, and the lost movement function gradually returns.

Diseases of hamsters transmitted to humans

Many infectious diseases of hamsters are transmitted to humans. Therefore, their symptoms and methods of treatment are worth knowing especially well. Always, even if there is the slightest indisposition, the animal must be quarantined and strict hygiene must be observed. It is very difficult and almost impossible to cure them in hamsters on your own, so only strict control and the appointment of a veterinarian are used, and you also need to get vaccinated. As a rule, all of the following diseases are rare at home, but you still need to know their symptoms.

Particular attention should be paid to such an ailment as rabies, since it is very dangerous for humans and cannot be treated. A rabid hamster behaves strangely, aggressively, squeaks for no reason, chews itself or other relatives, causing an abscess. Rabid hamsters can bite if handled, so it is important to immediately notice any problems in your pet's condition and immediately contact a veterinarian. See the video below for more details.

In this video, epizootologist Evgenia Shilova will tell you why rabies is dangerous in hamsters and about known cases of their disease.

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Everyone knows that individuals from the hamster family do not live very long. However, babies tend to hibernate, and therefore, if the hamster does not move and is breathing heavily, it is worth making the first inspection yourself. Usually the first signs of the disease appear almost immediately and are noticeable even to an inexperienced breeder. If the pet lies on its back, squeaks, and after trying to turn it onto its stomach, jumps up and runs to the opposite corner of the cage, most likely it simply fell and could not turn over on its own.

Types of injuries and symptoms

Injuries to animals can be varied: cuts, wounds, sprains, bruises, fractures and others. Let's sort them out.

Fractures

If a hamster is limping on one leg, it could be a fracture. It comes in two types: open (the bone or its fragments are visible through damaged skin) and closed (there is a crack or small break in the bone that is not visible through the skin). Symptoms:

When pressing on the sore paw, the pet will behave aggressively, bite and break free. By this he shows that he is in great pain.
Depending on the degree and type of fracture, the animal will bend its leg or limp.
The injured limb may flop unnaturally.
If the fracture is open, you will see part of the broken bone.
The area around the fracture will be swollen and a hematoma may form.
The appetite will decrease, the animal will not approach the feeder.

Bruise or dislocation

These conditions are not so painful and not so dangerous. You can distinguish them from a fracture as follows: with a bruise or dislocation, the animal will lean on the sore leg or limp slightly. Appetite and behavior may be completely normal.

Wounds and cuts

They appear quite often in small animals. They are not particularly dangerous; in most cases, hamsters lick them themselves. If they don't do this properly, the wound can become inflamed. A dangerous outcome would be the formation of an abscess.

Causes caused by incorrect temperature conditions

In order to understand whether the hamster is really sick if he does not move but breathes, it is worth carrying out a detailed examination. Attention should be drawn to the baby's eyes, breathing rate, and the naturalness of his posture. If your pet breathes calmly and steadily with his eyes closed, it is most likely that he is simply sleeping.

Heatstroke

It is known that individuals of the order of the hamster family, without exception, cannot tolerate heat or direct sunlight. Oddly enough, nature has deprived them of a system of protection against overheating; pets never sweat or breathe through their mouths like dogs. There are known cases where heat stroke resulted in death for animals.

To understand that your baby is overheated when he lies on his side and breathes heavily, you should pay attention to the presence of such signs as:

no attempt to roll over or make any movements;
lethargy;
presence of seizures;
impaired coordination of movements.

The likelihood of heatstroke occurring when your hamster is motionless and panting increases under the following conditions:

improper transportation of the baby in personal transport;
installing the cage on a balcony, window sill, in a place exposed to direct sunlight;
installing the cage near heating devices;
with high room humidity and stuffiness.

If you don’t immediately help your pet when he doesn’t move but is breathing, he may not be saved. For this reason, it is worth providing first aid to the animal, which is to:

cool his body temperature - put the baby on a damp towel, tile, moisten his ears and paws with cool water. Do not rub frozen ice cubes or place them in water;
inject subcutaneously 2 ml of water that the animal usually drinks to prevent dehydration;
carry out anti-shock therapy - without waiting for the doctor, this should not be done. But if the ratologist is delayed, and the pet is getting worse, he can be given an injection in the hind leg (intramuscularly) of prednisolone 30 mg/ml with a syringe intended for administering insulin. The dose for a Syrian will be 0.1 ml, and for a Djungarian - 0.5 ml.

"Coma" or hibernation

If the hamster lies without moving, it is possible that the pet has fallen into a kind of coma, that is, into hibernation. His breathing remains calm and even, and his skin will be somewhat cool. In the wild, hibernation of individuals of the hamster order usually occurs in the winter season, when they need to survive cold, hunger, and decreased daylight hours.

The causes of “coma” can be the lack of food for several days in the absence of its strategic reserves, a heating shutdown or a sharp cold snap, which makes the apartment cool. The main signs that the baby is hibernating will be:

closed eyes while breathing;
cold but soft to the touch body;
slow heartbeat (no more than a beat every 15 seconds).

In such cases, it is recommended to place the animal’s cage in a room where the temperature is equal to or above 20°C, and fill its feeder and drinking bowl. Within a few days, if all is well, the animal usually wakes up. If, after emerging from hibernation, he has impaired coordination of movement, which does not go away, he begins to sneeze, cough, or develops diarrhea, as evidenced by a wet tail, you should consult a veterinarian. And since it is undesirable to transport the baby after waking up from hibernation, it is better if he arrives on his own.

Steps

Part 1

Assess the situation

Examine the injured hamster.

The hamster's body is very small, and its bones are small and fragile, so these furry little ones often suffer various injuries. Fortunately, not in all cases you will need the help of a veterinarian. Quickly examine the injured animal and assess whether its injuries appear to be minor (such as minor cuts and scrapes) or severe (such as broken limbs or severe bleeding).

Call your veterinarian or veterinary clinic.

If your hamster is seriously injured, call your veterinarian or veterinary clinic immediately and let them know that you will soon be visiting them with an animal that will require urgent care. Keep in mind that not every pet doctor is trained in treating small pets (such as hamsters, mice, and guinea pigs). If your veterinary clinic doesn't have specialists who care for hamsters, ask if they can recommend a clinic or veterinarian who specializes in this group of pets.

During your phone call, ask your veterinarian what first aid you can provide to your pet before you bring it to the clinic.

Gather the necessary materials to assist.
If you determine that the injury does not pose a serious threat to the hamster's life, you can treat the animal on your own. To get started, gather all the materials you need for treatment, including clean towels, cotton swabs, several 10 ml syringes (without needles) and sterile gauze pads measuring 5x5 cm. In addition, you will need a bottle of sterile saline solution, wound cleaning solution ( You can buy Betadine, but a regular iodine solution) and antibiotic ointment will do.
Part 2
Treatment of small wounds on a hamster
1. When you treat the wound yourself, it gives you the opportunity to prevent an abscess from forming. While cleaning the wound, you can control how well you cleaned it (which is difficult if your pet licks the wounds on his own).

Treat the wound with an antiseptic and apply ointment.

Take a second syringe, fill it with a little iodine solution, pour it onto the surface of the wound, and then blot the solution with several gauze pads. Using a cotton swab, apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the wound surface.

An antiseptic helps destroy microorganisms that cause inflammation.

The iodine solution leaves stains on the skin that are difficult to wash off, so you may want to wear medical gloves before treating the wound.

Place the hamster back in the cage.

Whatever injury your pet has suffered, it is important that he has the opportunity to rest and recover in the safe, quiet space of his crate. Place bowls of water and food near where your hamster usually sleeps. Find a warm, quiet place in the house for the cage where the hamster will not be disturbed.

Determine the cause of the injury.

Of course, you don't want your pet to get hurt again, so try to determine where exactly your pet got hurt this time. Look for any toys in the cage that have sharp edges that could cut the animal's skin. Carefully inspect the rods: perhaps there is a sharp end of the wire sticking out somewhere, on which your pet was scratched.

Part 3

First aid for serious injuries

Provide first aid to the animal.

If your pet has been seriously injured,
you need
to take him to the vet as soon as possible. Providing first aid to your pet correctly will help stabilize its condition and increase the animal's chances of staying alive until it reaches the veterinarian's hands. First aid is extremely important if your hamster is bleeding.

Take the animal to the veterinary clinic.

The doctor will provide qualified assistance to your pet. When you take your hamster to the vet, wrap the animal in a towel and place it in its regular carrier. This will help provide a calm, safe environment for the animal during the trip.

Take care of the injured animal when you return home from the clinic.
Once your veterinarian has given your hamster the care it needs, there are a few things you'll need to do to give your hamster a calm environment to recover at home. In addition to painkillers, the doctor usually prescribes a cold compress, which should be applied to the injury site to reduce inflammation. Hamsters are very small animals, so an incorrectly applied cold compress can not only cool the injured area, but also cause general hypothermia in your pet.
- Wrap your hamster in a warm cloth while you apply the compress, and continue to warm your pet after the procedure is completed.

Hamsters are one of the tiniest pets; they require special attention and timely care. With insufficient care, these pets are quite often susceptible to diseases, so the main task of the owner is to recognize the disease by symptoms, and begin treatment for their pet as early as possible and in a timely manner. Paws are the most vulnerable parts of the body of domestic rodents. They are quite often exposed not only to bruises and dislocations, but also to fractures. Animals most often injure their limbs during stress (the appearance of a cat or dog), during peak sexual activity, or during play. What to do if your hamster breaks his leg and how to help him cope with the injury?

The most common factors of injury among hamsters are:

incorrect for a particular rodent species. When purchasing a hamster, take care of its complete safety. Choose reliable and safe cages. Sometimes the height of the cages can reach 70 centimeters, and it’s scary to imagine what a fall from such a huge height onto a plastic object, such as a feeder or house, would be like for a baby. And just the fact that the hamster broke its leg is not the worst thing. Sometimes the outcome for you may be more disastrous.
entertainment and auxiliary accessories for the physical development of the pet. Buying “sports” and additional accessories - a lattice running wheel, all kinds of ladders and dividers between floors, into which your pets’ legs often fall. Try to purchase items that will ensure your pet's safety as much as possible.

We wrote in detail about how to set up a cage for your pet in.

By eliminating these causes, you can eliminate the possibility of some injuries. We all know that it is easier to prevent injury than to subsequently treat a furry rodent in pain.

Other diseases typical for pets

Often the reason that a hamster lies, does not move, does not eat, does not drink, but breathes, are infectious and viral diseases. In such cases, it is advisable to pay attention to additional signs, since in the absence of timely medical assistance, the hamster may die.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia, or “pneumonia,” can occur if the cage has been left in a draft or in a cool, humid room, such as a bathroom, for a long time. Additional signs of its development, in addition to frequent breathing, are:

wheezing, gurgling in the lungs, which can be heard without additional equipment;
presence of nasal discharge;
lack of physical activity, lethargy;
lack of appetite.

In such cases, it is best to call a ratologist, because the animal will need intensive injection therapy for 10-14 days. Only a specialist can prescribe medications. However, rapid breathing can cause heart failure. Upon examination, only a veterinarian will be able to indicate the real reason for this behavior.

Agony

If the hamster lies motionless, his eyes are open, and his breathing is heavy, he is most likely in his death throes. This often occurs after the animal falls ill a few days before the onset of such a condition. It’s a pity that if the hamster is breathing heavily and lying on his back, most likely there is no way to help him. An experienced veterinarian will suggest performing a euthanizing injection in such cases.

To make sure that the baby is really in agony, you need to remember whether he had diarrhea in the last 24 hours, whether his stomach suddenly increased in size and whether the pet lost weight. Hamsters cannot get sick for a long time because their metabolism is too fast. For this reason, you should immediately call a veterinarian or go to him for an appointment yourself, because hamsters “burn out” literally in a day or two.

Alcoholism

Regular alcohol abuse that lasts for years also causes polyneuropathy. The disease in an advanced state is fraught with partial or complete paralysis of the lower extremities and other unpleasant manifestations:

Fatigue;
Cramps of the calf muscles;
Weakness that does not allow standing on your feet.

Initially, older patients suffering from alcoholism complain of tingling and pain in the legs, gradually developing into numbness. Such patients have many reasons not to seek the help of doctors. This greatly complicates the situation, especially when drinking alcohol continues.

In this case, it is especially difficult for the patient’s relatives. Not only are they trying to fight the underlying disease of a loved one – alcoholism. They also have additional concerns - caring for the patient, servicing him, and an increased amount of housework.

Common causes of falling on your back

However, not everything is so scary. When a hamster falls on its back, it may just be playing. The main reasons that can cause an animal to fall are:

And yet, if the hamster falls on its back, tumbles, runs on the drum, behaves actively, eats well, there is no need to worry, since everything is fine with it. In order to understand what provoked such animal behavior - a desire to have fun or illness, it is enough to observe for some time.

Like all living creatures, hamsters are susceptible to disease. Their life is short, and the disease in hamsters always progresses very quickly. Therefore, it is important to notice in time that something is wrong with your pet and quickly provide help. Find out in advance where the veterinarian who treats ornamental rodents sees you. It would be a good idea to study the symptoms of diseases to which hamsters are susceptible. This will not only increase the chances of saving the baby, but will also help avoid infection yourself. After all, a person can become infected with many diseases from animals. People can get the same disease that hamsters get. This article tells you what diseases afflict Syrian, Djungarian, Campbell and other breeds of hamsters.

Classification of diseases

According to the type, hamster diseases, like those in humans, are divided into contagious and non-contagious. The following diseases are contagious.

Some of these diseases can be transmitted to people. You need to be extremely careful when contacting a sick animal and take it to a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Only a doctor, after performing tests, will make a final diagnosis and give a prognosis for the possibility of recovery. Unfortunately, many diseases are fatal to a hamster. But in any case, a loving owner will do everything in his power to ensure that the hamster recovers.

Non-communicable diseases include non-communicable diseases.

Injuries and bruises caused by falling from a height or fighting with other cage occupants.
Metabolic disease. For example, diabetes mellitus, which most often affects Djungarian hamsters.
Diseases caused by stressful situations. These include heart disease, heart attacks, and strokes.

Diseases in Syrian hamsters are most often associated with gastrointestinal infections.

Rehabilitation period

After a fracture, the animal needs a period to restore its health. The animal does not always understand what its body needs. In this case, the owner must think for the pet. The first thing to do is to ensure complete rest for the animal. To do this, remove all entertainment from the cage: running wheel, labyrinths, ladders. Replace the cage with two floors with a one-story one. If this is not possible, then block the entrance to the second floor. It is best to transfer the pet into a container, box with high walls or a basin during rehabilitation. If you use sawdust or sand as bedding, it must be removed and replaced with napkins so that the hamster does not have the opportunity to dig with a sore limb.

Take care of the rodent's proper nutrition. For rapid and complete bone healing, his body needs calcium and protein. Introduce the following foods into his diet, only in reasonable quantities:

Cottage cheese;
Kefir;
Egg white and yolk;
Greens and fresh vegetables.

You can give your pet one tablet a day of calcium gluconate or buy a chalk stone at a pet store. Calcium promotes healing of damaged limbs.

Don't panic if your hamster breaks its leg. The injury is serious and painful, but not fatal. In most cases, the limb heals well and does not bother the pet. If it is not possible to save the paw, then this will not affect the rodent’s quality of life in any way.

Hamsters are perhaps one of the most charming pet rodents. There are many types of hamsters in the world, however, only some are kept as pets. For example, Syrian hamster, Roborovsky's hamster, Djungarian hamster, Campbell's hamster. They differ in size, color, behavior. Thanks to their funny habits and cheerful character, they manage to win the true love of their owners. But loving owners often do not suspect that hamster diseases are quite common.

Hamsters, like other rodents, are extremely sensitive to infectious diseases. Contact with a sick animal, unfavorable external environment, and improper care put the hamster's health at risk. The rapid metabolism of rodents contributes to the rapid development of the disease, and this creates additional difficulties in treatment.

When to sound the alarm

How to understand that a hamster is sick. If the animal is healthy, it is active, it has smooth shiny fur, clear, clean eyes and a good appetite. But if you notice that your pet is behaving unusually, take immediate action. Your hamster is sick if some of the following symptoms are noticeable:

eats poorly or refuses food altogether;
eyes become watery or festering;
frequent loose stools;
constipation, dry stool or no stool at all;
blood dripping from the anus;
difficulty or hoarse breathing, cough;
nasal discharge or excessive drooling;
wet or dull, matted fur;
ulcers, wounds, peeling skin, bald spots on the skin;
tumors, bloating;
lethargy, low mobility;
the hamster is trembling, although the room is warm.

An animal's underweight may also be a sign of illness. To find out if your pet is sick, weigh your pet periodically. The weight of an adult Syrian is about 90 g, the weight of a Djungarian is at least 30 g.

Symptoms

A paw fracture is an injury to the bones of the fore or hind limb. Depending on the injury received, the following types of fracture are distinguished:

Open. Characterized by damage to the skin and protrusion of the bone.
Closed. With such a fracture, the integrity of the skin is not damaged, but the bone is partially or completely broken.

Strong pain. When you feel the sore paw, the animal may behave aggressively, try to get out of your hands or bite. In this way he reacts to the pain in a broken limb.
Bend the paw. In order not to touch the sore paw, the rodent bends it under itself.
Unnatural mobility. A tarsus fracture may be characterized by a dangling limb.
With an open fracture, the bone is visible.
Swelling or hematoma may form near the site of injury.
The hamster may refuse to eat.

A bending does not always mean that the hamster has broken its leg. Perhaps it's just a dislocation. The condition is painful, but less dangerous than a fracture. How to distinguish a dislocation from a fracture? When a limb is dislocated, the animal may partially rely on the injured paw and limp. The same symptoms accompany a bruised paw.

Contagious diseases in hamsters

An animal can become infected with a bacterial or viral infection in several ways.

From other sick animals through direct contact or through its waste products.
Through contaminated food or water.
Insect bites.
Through litter and uncollected excrement.

Respiratory infections

activated by hypothermia, stress and lack of vitamins in the body. You can tell that a hamster is sick by its behavior. He will become lethargic and apathetic. You may notice discharge from the nose. The young, strong hamster will recover in a few days. In weak individuals with reduced immunity, the disease can develop into pneumonia. The animal will cough and breathe heavily. In a few days he will die.

Tuberculosis

develops in a weakened body when exposed to the tuberculosis bacillus. There are two forms of this disease, depending on the method of infection: pulmonary and intestinal. With the pulmonary form of tuberculosis, the hamster experiences a cough, shortness of breath, and decreased appetite. The intestinal form is characterized by severe diarrhea. This disease of hamsters, unfortunately, is incurable.

To prevent tuberculosis, the animal must receive adequate nutrition with the required amount of vitamins, the cage must be kept clean at all times, and the room must be periodically ventilated. It is necessary to avoid contact with sick animals and people. Not only can humans become infected with certain illnesses from a hamster, but rodents can also suffer from contact with a sick person.

Colibacillosis

– an infectious disease of the gastrointestinal tract caused by Escherichia coli. Characterized by very severe diarrhea. The stool is so thin that it looks more like urine, which is why the disease is also called “wet tail.” The hamster becomes lethargic, eats poorly, and quickly loses weight. If you notice such signs, you should urgently take the rodent to the veterinarian. The doctor will examine the symptoms and prescribe treatment. Antibiotics of the tetracycline group are usually prescribed and added to food or drinking water. In severe cases, chloramphenicol injections are prescribed.

Colibacillosis is a highly contagious disease. If the sick animal has been in contact with other pets, they will also have to be treated. The sooner you see a doctor, the more successful the treatment will be. Prevention of the disease - maintaining cleanliness in the cage. As well as keeping each animal in a separate cage.

Cystitis.

A wet tail can be an indicator not only of colibacillosis, but also of cystitis - inflammation of the genitourinary tract. The animal experiences pain when urinating and is constantly thirsty. The disease occurs from hypothermia. Maintain the optimal temperature in the room where the baby lives, do not place the hamster’s cage in a draft. Cystitis can also be treated with antibiotics.

Diplococcosis

– an infectious disease of the respiratory tract caused by diplococcal bacteria. Symptoms: weakness, lethargy, refusal to eat. The hamster is shaking and trembling, and his nose is running. Death occurs within 2–3 days if a special antibacterial serum is not administered in time.

Salmonellosis

– acute intestinal disease caused by Escherichia coli Salmonella. It also leads to death if treatment is not started in time.

Pneumonia

– a common complication after respiratory infections if the patient does not receive proper treatment and proper nutrition. Or if the animal has a lack of vitamins in the body and lowered immunity. The disease can occur after severe hypothermia.

Conjunctivitis

– inflammatory process in the eyes and eyelids. Eye diseases in Djungarians occur from hypothermia or are of a bacterial nature.

Demodicosis

- a disease caused by a microscopic subcutaneous mite. The animal itches and the hair falls out. The disease is treated with an injection of ivermectin.

Ringworm

- fungal disease. Scaly spots appear on the body and limbs of the rodent, and the fur falls out. The disease is contagious and can be transmitted to humans. The doctor will make a scraping and prescribe treatment with ointments and special creams.

Therapeutic measures

If your hamster is limping, you can cure it yourself, but it is better to consult a veterinarian. Treatment of fractures: if closed, apply plaster, give painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs; in open cases - surgical intervention, in severe cases, amputation. If you do not contact a specialist in time, the bones may heal incorrectly, and lameness will remain for life. An untreated open fracture can turn into gangrene, which can lead to death. First aid instructions:

Give your pet peace.
Determine the extent of damage if you have sufficient knowledge.
Lubricate the swollen area with Levomikol.
Treat with an antibacterial drug and bandage the paw for an open fracture.

Treatment of wounds and cuts: Hamsters usually lick them themselves, but if an abscess has formed, then go to the vet immediately. He will open it up and process it with education. You will carry out further treatment yourself. You will need to regularly give the animal antibiotics and treat the wound. Treatment: moisten the edges of the cut with saline solution, then blot with gauze. Do this as many times as possible until the wound is clean. After cleaning, apply iodine solution and blot the area. Finally, cover the wound with antibacterial ointment.

Non-communicable diseases

Non-contagious diseases of Djungarian and other breeds of hamsters primarily include injuries. They are injured mainly due to the fault of their owners. Rodents should not be allowed to walk on a table or other surface from which the homa could fall. When purchasing and installing a running wheel, it is necessary to exclude narrow (less than 0.5 cm) gaps so that the baby does not stick his paw in there and injure himself. If you have several dwarfs, place them in different cages. Otherwise, they will fight and may also injure each other.

Poor nutrition may be the cause

dental diseases;
inflammation of the cheek pouches;
food poisoning;
hemorrhoids (if blood drips from the anus, your pet may have a fissure there).

Non-communicable diseases also include complications of pregnancy and pathological childbirth in females. Sometimes blood under the female's tail appears as a result of a miscarriage.

Metabolic disorders

Metabolism is the proper functioning of all body systems. Food processing, energy production, removal of unnecessary and harmful products. The central nervous system is responsible for all this, but the glands that secrete hormones have a huge influence on metabolic processes. These include the thyroid and pancreas, adrenal glands, pituitary gland, and gonads. Poor nutrition, poor environment, and hereditary factors affect the functioning of these organs. Violation of their normal functioning leads to a malfunction of the body as a whole. Diseases of Djungarian hamsters are often associated with metabolic disorders.

Diabetes

may develop due to excessive carbohydrate consumption. Hereditary predisposition to the disease also plays a role. You can find out that a hamster has contracted this disease by the characteristic smell of acetone, which comes from the rodent’s saliva and urine. But only a doctor can make a final diagnosis by doing a blood test. Prevention of disease in Djungarian hamsters is a balanced diet, eliminating sugar from the diet, good care and an active lifestyle.

Stroke

– can also be attributed to diseases arising due to metabolic disorders. With age and as a result of poor nutrition, cholesterol plaques are deposited on the walls of blood vessels, which prevent the normal passage of blood. At some point, the plaques completely block the vessel, it bursts, and hemorrhage occurs.

If your hamster is shaking or having convulsions, the end is probably near.

Sometimes attentive owners are concerned that the rodent has a yellow sore on its stomach. In fact, this is a scent gland, with the help of which the male marks his territory.

Diseases caused by stress

Stress factors for a small rodent can include loud screams, the operation of various electrical appliances, other pets and much more. Diseases that develop as a result of stress in Syrian and other breeds of hamsters:

eczema (ulcers and peeling of the skin, hair loss);
heart attack, cardiac arrest;
complete or partial paralysis (can occur if the animal is very frightened).

To avoid such troubles, never yell at your baby or punish him for any pranks. Do not place the cage near a TV or speakers. Isolate the rodent from cats and dogs if they live in your home. If you just acquired a furry puppy, give him a few days to get used to his new place of residence, do not immediately start playing with him or raising him.