hamsters are normally very healthy animals and rarely need visits to the vets .but if you are concerned about your hamster then best seek advice .hamsters can go down hill very quickly ,which means prompt action should be taken for the difference between life and death

WET TAIL

is one of the most serious illnesses of the hamsters digestive system .which is also known as wet tail ,this consists of diarrhoea ,staining around the tail and bottem area, being hunched up with fur raised and lack of appetite .this is a more common infection in long haired syrians then short haired syrians ,dwarfs russians and chinese hamsters.

CONSTIPATION

the signs to look out for are your hamster not producing any external droppings ,in older hamsters increasing the amout of green product intake can help in this situation .also a few drops of olive oil may help.you should be careful not to give your hamster too much greens or olive oil which can cause more problems .

FLEAS

be care if you have any other pets in your house as your hamster could become infested with fleas from your cat or dog etc .you can be flea drops to help with this problem from all good pet stores and supermarkets .

TRAUMA INJURIES

this can be caused if your hamster is dropped ,falls or is squezzed to tighly while being held or played with .if your hamster appears in pain its best to seek vetinary adivce to see wether the injury can be treated or wether it kinder to end your hamsters life .

IMPACTED CHEEK POUCHES

if ypur hamsters pouches become cloggedwith bedding or stickey food a vet can remove the substances by using forceps or flushing the cheek pouches .

GLAUCOMA

glaucoma is an diseaqse that affects dwarf hamsters eyes which can lead to blindness .symptoms include a cloudy film on eyes .there is no treatment avalible at present for this disease.but consult your vet if you are worried.

TOOTH PROBLEMS

although not very common sometimes hamsters need vetniary attention due to maloclusion .

TYZZERS DISEASE

this problem links to your hamsters digestive system ,its caused by bacteria called bacillus piliformis .treatment can consistent of antibiotics and fluid therapy .

RINGWORMS

ringworms is not a parasitic illness but is caused by fungus .this can cause hair loss in circular patches .which can be linked to cats and dogs ,especially if they have access to your hamsters bedding .

DIABETES

dwarf russians and chinese hamsters are vunerable to sugar diabetes which occurs as they get older.

symptoms include :

thirstyness

drinking large volumes of water

producing lots of urine

cloudy eyes

hamsters can live for a while with diabetes but should not be bred .because they could pass on weaknesses .

KIDNEY PROBLEMS

this can result in increased thirts and urinary uutput and becomes more seeable in old age and cant be reveresed.

TUMOURS

these are not normally common in hamsters but can affect male hamsters causing testicular tumours which may cause distortion of this body part.surgey to remove tumour should correct problem.

HEART PROBLEMS

this can occur in older age and can lead to breathing problems and lack of energy ,the best thing to do is slow down your hamsters life by removing things like its exercise wheeland any extra toys you may have in your hamsters cage .

LCMV

this infection is normally found in mice but if your hamsters comes into contact with mice it could be come infected ,tilting of the head can sometimes be signs of lcmv .