My hamster died of wet tail.

[mikesharikyah]

My pet European Black Bear hamster died today of dehydration due to wet tail. I'm new with hamsters so, I was not sure it was wet tail until it was too late. We are very sad and will miss her terribly! We do have one of babies that she had 7 weeks ago, so he helps alittle. He's alot like his mama!!

Does anyone know how to clean her cage so as to not pass it on to any new hamster we may get in the future?
I've heard bleach or a disinfectant, which is best? Any advice would be great.

[Zouave]

You do not have a EUROPEAN hamster. That type is VERY big and with a very bad attitude. They are tough guys. You have a Syrian hamster; different colors have different generic names.

My first hamster died as I think I may have been too slow to identify a respiratory problem. I have learned and known better now.

Yes, bleach, and lots of it. I would then ALSO use disinfectant. Wet Tail is a highly contagious disease so be extra careful. Get the bleach, and after that the disinfectant, into every corner and crevice.

I thank heavens that even though I have many hamsters here I have never had that dsease strike me.

Good luck. :)

[mikesharikyah]

Thank you! Like i said I'm new to hamsters. I just looked at a web site and saw a hamster that looked like my Chocolate and it said it was a European Black Bear. She was black with a white stripe right under her chin all the way under her belly. She was a delightful little hammy!! Very sweet personality and easily handled and played with! We will miss her so!

[Zouave]

I have a newly rescued Syrian also named Chocolate, and here she is!

http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL19/924030/5145950/66135651.jpg

I know of no one with a pet European hamster. They are endangered in the wild in Belgium and parts of the Netherlands, and are sometimes use as lab animals.

[mikesharikyah]

Your Chocolate is as pretty as ours was! Take good care of her, I wish I'd known more about wet tail! It was so hard to watch her die! Your Chocolate is a Beauty!!

[J mouse]

I'm so sorry for your loss :( . I have the same type of hamster (Dr. Gerbil). I would make sure your little guy knows how to use the water bottle, put the hamster in front of the bottle and show him water comes out. I would clean the cage with dish soap and rinse with water, then use vinagar and rinse with water.