The dangers of wet tail

[JustinQM]

As I recently posted, I just lost my pet Frostie to wet tail disease. Long haired teddy hamsters are especially prone to this disease. My suggestion to everyone who is thinking of buying hamsters from pet stores is to also purchase some anti wet tail tablets or Dri-Tail to put in their water the first week you have your new pet. Even if you hamster appears healthy you should do this to be on the safe side. Once this disease progresses it is almost always fatal. However, if you suspect your pet already has wet tail get him/her to the vet as soon as possible, since Dri-Tail and Anti-Wet Tail you buy at the pet store will not reverse this disease.

Limit the stress on the hamster the first day you bring her/him home. Put your pet in a quiet and dark room and try not to handle the hamster too much. Let the pet get use to his/her new surroundings. Also, don't alter the diet, make any changes very gradually.

Clean the cage thoroughly also since wet tail is highly contagious to other hamsters.

Justin

[Tumbledown]

Unfortunately pet stores are not known for keeping hamsters in good condition,wet tail is common among young new hamsters.Probably a lot of the hamsters in the shop already had it,they don't clean and disinfect the tanks properly.Best if you can get hamsters from a good reputable breeder.Not many recover from this bacterial disease.

[JustinQM]

Unfortunately pet stores are not known for keeping hamsters in good condition,wet tail is common among young new hamsters.Probably a lot of the hamsters in the shop already had it,they don't clean and disinfect the tanks properly.Best if you can get hamsters from a good reputable breeder.Not many recover from this bacterial disease.

Yes, very true. I think my hamster already had this disease when I bought her and then it showed up a few days later when I brought her home, probably aggravated by the stress of moving. I'm going to take this pet store to task about their cage, and the other hamsters living in those cages.

Justin

[Mitchandozzie]

Wet tail is terrible. Ive lost many friends(nopt mine but I knew them still) to this disease. A good med to have around for it is baytril.

[JustinQM]

Wet tail is terrible. Ive lost many friends(nopt mine but I knew them still) to this disease. A good med to have around for it is baytril.


Where can one purchase Baytril? Is this only through a vet?
Thanks.

Justin

[KiTTyStiches]

oh no ithink mine has wet tail! what are the symptoms for it besides a wet tail!? i called the vet and its 30 dolalrs just for them to look at him! i dont have anymoney but i dont want him to die!

[lilforjc]

hamsterific is a great site! when we first got Ralph(black bear) he seemed rather "puny" and we did not want to hold him and stress him out first day home, but I thought his tail looked a little wettish-we hand fed and watered for a few days and (lotsa prayer) and now he is fine...I don't know if he had wet-tail or what. do a search on this forum for wet-tail(one specifically is called wet-tail survivor, I think) also get on hamsterific.com...good luck.