My dwarf hamster is suddenly skinny and won't eat. What should I do?

Diarrhea in hamsters is an extremely severe condition, most hamsters will not recover from it, you need to take him to the vet urgently if you want to try and save him, he will need fluid therapy as well as antibiotics.

If Fatty will allow, check his teeth. They could be overgrown or maloccluded. If so, have him examined by your veterinarian. The teeth can be trimmed or corrected so that he can eat normally. If the teeth are fine, an exam would be recommended to diagnose other illness or injury.

Sorry to hear about Ruby and thanks for including a picture. It is difficult to determine what might be happening. Try looking at her incisor teeth for possible overgrowth. Liver or kidney diseases can cause rapid weight loss. Intestinal infections or parasitic problems can alter digestion. This is serious and you should see a veterinarian as soon as possible. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Biscuit and including photos. Intestinal parasites can be checked through a fecal examination at the veterinary office. Renal disease, endocrine disorders and other conditions can lead to weight loss. A veterinary visit is highly recommended before the weight loss gets worse. Good luck.

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. There could be many possible causes of these symptoms. I worry about a systemic infection or illness. I would recommend taking Dave in to be seen by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for reaching out about Dexter. No, on the inhaler as she probably doesn't have asthma and overdosing can be serious. Animals usually suffer from dehydration prior to starvation. Offer water via a syringe, then can moisten pellets and offer also. Taking out the wheel is a good idea. If not improved after 48 hours for medication, a re-visit to the veterinarian is recommended. Good luck.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Issues with teeth are very common in guinea pigs, and do frequently result in issues eating. Dyba may have an issue with his facial nerves or muscles, making it difficult to bite/chew food. Loss of appetite can be caused by many intestinal conditions, but less specific conditions as well, such as cancer or infections. I recommend having Dyba seen by another vet, you may want to look into having him seen by someone who specializes in small mammals or pocket pets. In the meantime, you can try moistening his pellets to make them easier to eat. I hope this helps and that all is well!