Is my old hamster cage safe from wet tail for my new hamster?

I am so sorry you lost your hamster. 1) Don't buy your new hamster in the same place you bought the one that died. 2) make sure you disinfect the cage, and all cage furniture. You will need new bedding, throw out the food you offered Cookie. 3) Disinfect the water bottle, and also wipe the cage wires with a disinfectant. 4) Make sure your new hamster is lively, has a shiny fur and no diarrhea (the fur must be dry everywhere) 5) Do not buy a hamster out of a colony where any of the others appear ill or slow or strange. 6) Give your new hamster time to adjust to the new surroundings. Do not handle him the first day. Try not to stress him. That is about all you can do. I hope you get a healthy hamster this time.

As long as he is eating and behaving, it is probably not wet tail. Typically, they are lethargic and not eating. You can clean him up gently with a plain, unscented baby wipe or pet wipe. Make sure he is dry, warm and stress free afterwards. Monitor for the above symptoms as wet tail can be serious if not addressed promptly by your veterinarian.

Wet tail, or Proliferative Ileitis, is an extremely serious gastrointestinal disease and Hamsters can die from it very quickly. it is caused by a bacterium called Lawsonia intracellularis and hamsters get infected when contaminated feces get on their food and they then ingest the fecally contaminated food. If the hamster is stressed it exacerbates the condition. Since this is an emergency you will need to have your hamster seen by a vet immediately. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medications and subcutaneous and oral fluids to combat dehydration. In addition to that you need to thoroughly sanitize his cage to prevent re-infection and make sure your hamster is kept clean and warm.

Thanks for reaching out about Hammy. You can wipe him with a warm, moistened clean towel. If recurs, a veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Intestinal parasites or infections, metabolic disorders (liver, kidney), ingested foreign bodies, exposure to toxins and other conditions can cause a soft stool. Good luck.

Yes, there are veterinarians that will treat small mammals, or "pocket pets". Honey should be examined and treated if it is wet tail and this can be a life threatening condition in such a small pet. She will likely need antibiotics and medication to treat diarrhea. Keep her cage clean. Replace bedding daily. Make sure she continues to eat and drink normally. Discontinue feeding treats, fruit and vegetables until she recovers.

for right now, keeping Eliot fed & providing adequate moisture is the key. Soaking his pellets, offering fruit & vegetable baby foods, even using Oxbows Critical Care for bunnies is appropriate. If he is still symptomatic on Monday, have your veterinarian evaluate him in case he needs deworming or an antibiotic. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach, & sorry for the disconnect. The dog hit return on my keyboard.

He should be examined by your veterinarian. If he has "wet tail" (proliferative ileitis), he will need treatment and supportive care. Keep his cage clean. Change bedding daily if necessary. Keep him warm and as stress free as possible. Discontinue feeding any treats, fruits or vegetables until he recovers.