My new hamster has diarrhea, won't eat, and is lethargic. What to do?

Question

Just got a hamster a few hours ago and when we got home it looked like she was sleeping and when we took her out she was walking weird. I put her in the cage and she fell asleep and didn't move. I assumed she was sleeping so i had her in my stomach while i was watching tv thinking she was asleep. When i was trying to show her off she had her eyes open but wasn't moving. She was also having diareahh. I gave her water and she rejected food. I can't afford a vet. I don't know what to do. Pet's info: Small Animal | Unknown - Small Animal | Female | 0.05 lbs

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM · Accepted Answer

Your hamster is likely suffering from Wet Tail . Wet tail, or Proliferative Ileitis, is an extremely serious gastrointestinal disease and Hamsters can die from it very quickly. It is caused by a bacterium called Lawsonia intracellularis and hamsters get infected when contaminated feces get on their food and they then ingest the fecally contaminated food. If the hamster is stressed it exacerbates the condition. In this case she came to a new home, which is always stress. Since this is an emergency you will need to have your hamster seen by a vet immediately. Treatment usually consists of antibiotics, anti-diarrheal medications and subcutaneous and oral fluids to combat dehydration. In addition to that you need to thoroughly sanitize her cage to prevent re-infection and make sure your hamster is kept clean and warm. If you have just bought this hamster you need to contact the shop and see if you can give her back as they sold you a sick animal.

My new hamster has diarrhea, won't eat, and is lethargic. What to do?

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