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Signs Of Illness In Hamsters And Possible Causes

What could it mean if your hamster has trouble breathing, suffers hair loss, experiences diarrhea or many other signs of illness?

By Kevin Wright, DVM, DABVP (reptile and amphibian)

Posted: January 11, 2012, 9:20 p.m. EST

© Gina Cioli/BowTie
Signs of illness in a hamster could result from several possible causes.

Please note that the following table is not a comprehensive list of medical problems that occur in hamsters, nor is it a comprehensive list of all the possible causes for a particular sign. This is intended as a guideline only and should not replace having your hamster evaluated by an experienced small mammal veterinarian. Do not rely on your dog and cat veterinarian to treat your hamster unless you have researched them and are comfortable with their level of hamster experience.

For more about hamster health, visit the Hamster Health Center.

COMMON SIGNS		COMMON CAUSES

Abdomen, enlarged or swollen		Amyloidosis Bloating due to inappropriate diet Congestive heart failure Cushing’s Dystocia, problem pregnancy Gastrointestinal obstruction Tapeworm Tumor / Neoplasia

Appetite loss, anorexia		Dehydration Diarrhea Inappropriate food Malnutrition Malocclusion of incisors or cheek teeth Pinworm Sepsis (severe infection) Tapeworm Tyzzer’s disease Tumor / Neoplasia “Wet Tail”

Breathing, difficult or labored (dyspnea)		Amyloidosis Atrial thrombosis Congestive heart failure Cushing’s disease Heat stroke Hypothermia Hypoglycemia Ovarian cyst Pneumonia Sepsis (severe infection) Toxicosis Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia

Breathing, rapid (tachnypnea)		Amyloidosis Atrial thrombosis Congestive heart failure Cushing’s disease Heat stroke Hypothermia Hypoglycemia Ovarian cyst Pneumonia Sepsis (severe infection) Toxicosis Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia

Collapse or Coma		Amyloidosis Atrial thrombosis Congestive heart failure Heat stroke Hypothermia Hypoglycemia Sepsis (severe infection) Toxicosis Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia

Coughing		Amyloidosis Congestive heart failure Pneumonia Upper respiratory infection

Discharge from genitals (Pus, blood, mucus)		Dystocia (difficult labor or retained fetus) Ovarian cyst Urinary tract infection Uterine infection (pyometra) Tumor / Neoplasia

Discharge from anus (Pus, blood, mucus)		Gastrointestinal infections (such as Tyzzer’s disease, other bacterial infections, Giardia, pinworms, tapeworms, Tritrichomonas, other parasites) Inappropriate antibiotics Inappropriate food items Trauma, particularly rough handling Tumor / Neoplasia

Constipation		Atresia anus (very young hamsters) Dehydration, particularly from water bottles running empty Gastrointestinal foreign body such as swallowed piece of string Tapeworm Tumor / Neoplasia

Diarrhea		Gastrointestinal infections (such as Tyzzer’s disease, other bacterial infections, Giardia, pinworms, tapeworms, Tritrichomonas, other parasites) Inappropriate antibiotics Inappropriate food items Stress, including recent shipment or rough handling

Drinking, excessive		Amyloidosis of the kidneys Bladder infection / urinary tract infection Cushing’s disease Diabetes mellitus Diarrhea for any reason Kidney failure Ovarian cysts Tumor / Neoplasia Urinary tract infection Uterine infection (pyometra) Warmer than appropriate temperature

Exercise intolerance, shortness of breath		Amyloidosis Atrial thrombosis Congestive heart failure Heat stroke Hypothermia Hypoglycemia Obesity Pneumonia Sepsis (severe infection) Toxicosis Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia

Eye, bulging (Exophthalmos)		Abscess (periorbital) Glaucoma Hypertension (high blood pressure) Tight restraint Tooth root abscess or injury Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia

Eye, cloudy		Cataract Corneal ulcer Keratitis (infection of the cornea) Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia

Eye, crust		Conjunctivitis Corneal ulcer Dehydration Foreign object Inappropriate bedding (dusty, etc.) Upper respiratory infection

Eye, squinting		Conjunctivitis Corneal ulcer Dehydration Foreign object Inappropriate bedding (dusty, etc.) Upper respiratory infection

Hair loss, asymmetrical		Barbering Early shed Mange (demodecosis) Ringworm (dermatophytosis) Trauma, cagemate aggression

Hair loss, focal		Barbering Early shed Mange (demodecosis) Ringworm (dermatophytosis) Trauma, cagemate aggression

Hair loss, symmetrical		Cushing’s disease Ovarian cyst Pituitary tumor Tumor / Neoplasia

Head tilt		Ear infection Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia Vestibular disease

Nasal discharge		Allergies Anemia from other health conditions Inappropriate bedding (dusty, etc.) Incisor malocclusion Upper respiratory infection

Polydipsia (excessive thirst)		Amyloidosis of the kidneys Bladder infection / urinary tract infection Cushing’s disease Diabetes mellitus Diarrhea for any reason Kidney failure Ovarian cysts Tumor / Neoplasia Urinary tract infection Uterine infection (pyometra) Warmer than appropriate temperatures

Polyuria (excessive urination)		Amyloidosis Cushing’s disease Diabetes mellitus Inappropriate diet Kidney disease Ovarian cysts Tumor / Neoplasia Uterine infection (pyometra)

Pruritis (itching)		Allergies Cushing’s disease Dermatitis, bacterial Inappropriate bedding (dusty, etc.) Mange, demodecosis Pinworm Ringworm Tumor / Neoplasia

Sneezing		Allergies Anemia from other health conditions Inappropriate bedding (dusty, etc.) Incisor malocclusion Upper respiratory infection

Sores, draining		Cutaneous abscesses Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia

Sores, scabs		Mange, demodecosis Ringworm Self-mutilation (overgrooming) Trauma, bite wounds Tumor / Neoplasia

Sudden death		Atrial thrombosis Heat stroke Inappropriate food item Poisoning (pesticides, paint fumes, etc.) Sepsis Trauma Tumor / Neoplasia Uterine infection (pyometra)

Swelling beneath skin		Cutaneous abscesses Bite wounds Foreign object Impacted scent gland Tumor / Neoplasia

Swelling of the belly		Amyloidosis Bloating due to inappropriate diet Congestive heart failure Cushing’s Dystocia, problem pregnancy Gastrointestinal obstruction Tapeworm Tumor / Neoplasia

Urination, excessive		Amyloidosis Cushing’s disease Diabetes mellitus Inappropriate diet Kidney disease Ovarian cysts Tumor / Neoplasia Uterine infection (pyometra)

Wheezing		Allergies Cardiomyopathy Pneumonia Upper respiratory infection

Posted: January 11, 2012, 9:20 p.m. EST

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