Hamsters rarely get sick, but sadly, illnesses take a toll on them much faster because of their tiny body size. Also, they tend to hide when they are uneasy, so you might not realize your little furry one isn’t okay when it is too late. Here are the common hamster diseases, symptoms, and treatment.

Respiratory Infections

Hamsters are highly susceptible to respiratory infections, and the illness can quickly escalate to life-threatening pneumonia if not diagnosed early enough. Immediately you notice symptoms such as severe sneezing, wheezing, a runny nose, teary eyes, and troubled breathing, call a vet immediately. Depending on the extent of the infection, your vet will advise on the right antibiotics.

Fungal Infections

The common culprits here include ringworm and Aspergillus fungus. The former is the most common, and symptoms include general discomfort, itchiness, and bald patches of crusty skin. Aspergillus fungus can escalate, and the symptoms include lethargy, skin inflammation, blood spots in urine and diarrhea. For both cases, consult a vet for medication, and to prevent future recurrence of the infection, keep the cage clean and dry and always remove stale food. Also, consider quarantining and treating the other uninfected hamsters.

Blood and Kidney Infections

Typical symptoms include frequent and painful urination, blood spots in urine, lethargy, constant thirst, and in advanced cases, severe weight loss. This condition is also life-threatening, so it is imperative that a vet sees the hamster for the right medication. Gladly, you can prevent these infections by keeping the cage clean to prevent the development of fungus. Also, proper diet and nutrition consisting of foods with low-fat content will reduce urine acidity. You can scout for hamster nutrition diets which are all available on your mobile phone but ensure it is content from a qualified hamster expert.

Shock

Several factors may cause shock in hamsters; for example, extreme cold or heat, fractures from falls, and so on. The symptoms include lying down lifelessly, heavy breathing or slow breathing, hibernation, and many other unusual behavioral changes. In this case, only a vet can diagnose the problem by carefully inspecting the hamster before recommending a remedy depending on the cause for shock.

Constipation, Diarrhea, and Vomiting

Diarrhea and vomiting may be signs of food poisoning, and the remedy is giving the hamster more fluids to prevent dehydration. As for constipation, the symptoms may include lack of droppings or hard excretion. Loss of appetite and walking with a hunched back are also symptoms of constipation. Giving him fluids will help relieve constipation in a day, but if the symptoms persist, a vet will advise accordingly to ensure the hamster recovers fast to avoid weight loss.

Summary

There you have it folks; the common hamster diseases and illnesses. Unlike dogs and cats, hamster illnesses escalate very fast, so it is imperative that you see a vet immediately.