Wet tail in Hamsters

The term “wet tail” in hamsters simply means an appearance of dampness or wetness around a hamster’s tail. The term is slightly vague as the wetness may be caused by several different types of discharge from around the bottom. These discharges can include urine, if a hamster has a urinary tract infection or incontinence, vaginal discharge or faecal matter if a hamster has diarrhoea.

However, when most people talk about “wet tail” in hamsters, they generally mean a severe and often fatal disease otherwise known as proliferative ileitis. True wet tail or proliferative ileitis is an inflammatory disease affecting the ileum (a part of the small intestine) which can often be brought on by stress. Hamsters with true wet tail develop a severe diarrhoea which can quickly lead to dehydration and death.

Wet tail is associated with a bacteria called Lawsonia intracellularis. The infection with this bacteria causes an inflammation and thickening of the ileum which is part of the small intestine. This part of the gut is then unable to perform its normal function so nutrients are no longer properly absorbed and the hamster develops a severe diarrhoea.

Although a bacterial cause is part of the problem - and the disease cannot occur without it - proliferative ileitis or wet tail is often brought about by stress. Indeed, stress seems to be an important factor in the clinical manifestation of the signs of wet tail. Since it can often be difficult to identify specific causes of stress in these tiny animals, the disease can sometimes appear to develop for no obvious reason. Just because a hamster has the bacteria does not mean they will necessarily develop wet tail.

Syrian hamsters are more likely to be affected by wet tail than the dwarf breeds. The disease most often occurs in young hamsters around the time of weaning (3-10 weeks old) when they are taken from their mother and littermates to a new environment. Other stressful events such as illness or poor environment can predispose a hamster to developing wet tail.

Wet tail can be contagious so any hamster which has contact with a sick individual or shares any equipment such as toys or feeding utensils may be at risk of developing the disease.

A hamster with wet tail will become lethargic and their coat can develop an unkempt appearance. The condition is painful, so affected animals will often exhibit a hunched up posture when moving. When resting they will often curl up and be reluctant to move. Affected hamsters are likely to be much more irritable and more likely to bite when disturbed, even if they are generally well accustomed to being handled. Due to the pain and discomfort of wet tail these hamsters will sometimes cry out in discomfort.

Hamsters with wet tail will be unlikely to want to eat or drink and can rapidly lose weight and body condition. The most notable feature of wet tail is the severe watery and sometimes bloody diarrhoea which causes a wet appearance around the affected animals tail area. The hamster’s bottom may become red and sore due to the prolific watery diarrhoea and occasionally the rectum may prolapse and hang outside of the anus.

The diagnosis is usually made based on the clinical signs and a veterinary examination. However further tests such as a faecal culture to check for causative bacteria may be carried out if it is deemed necessary.

It is possible to treat a hamster with wet tail but because the disease is so serious and painful it may sometimes be kinder to choose euthanasia rather than attempt any treatment.

If the option of treatment is considered appropriate, antibiotics will be given to treat the bacterial infection. The severe diarrhoea and inappetence can quickly lead to dehydration, so this may also need to be addressed.

Since stress is a major factor in this disease it is necessary to minimise handling and any other causes of stress around this time. The hamster’s enclosure should be kept clean but since changing bedding and general cleaning may be a stress factor, the disturbance for the hamster should be kept to a minimum.

It is sensible to keep the unwell hamster in a quiet, warm (but not too hot) area of the home and keep artificial light to a minimum.

It is always wise to ensure any new hamster is obtained from a reputable breeder. When a hamster is obtained from a pet shop it is sensible to check that they have been housed in clean and comfortable surroundings and that the hamster is behaving normally within its enclosure prior to any handling. It is also wise to ensure that the hamster has not been kept in a stressful situation (e.g. mixed with other hamsters) before collection.

At home keep your hamster’s cage, feeding utensils and toys scrupulously clean and try to ensure that your pet hamster is not subject to stress via unnecessary handling, excess noise, exposure to predators and inappropriate temperatures.

Since wet tail can be contagious, always practise good hygiene when treating or otherwise handling a hamster with wet tail to prevent spread to other individuals.

House animals according to their preferences to reduce stress. Syrian hamsters should usually be housed alone to prevent fighting but smaller breeds such as the Russian hamster can generally be housed together.

Do not breed from a hamster which has recovered from wet tail since there are indications that some hamsters are more susceptible than others to stress and they may pass this susceptibility on to their offspring.