Is it us or pets at home?

[Central]

In the past 2 weeks we have had 2 Hamsters die on us with Wet tail.

4th July - Hamster bought
11th July - We find the hamster dead with Wet Tail
12th July - We buy a second hamster
15th July - Showing signs of wet tail so take it back to pet shop as they have own in house vet
17th July - Hamster is started on antibiotics
19th July - Hamster has died

We did everything that was told of us. We never handled it to soon and changed food and water everyday.

Is it something we have done?

[Russ]

Having a look here it seems to stress related, possibly due to new surroundings?

Sorry to hear about the little guys

[Graham M]

From the link above:

Any equipment occupied or used by a hamster that has died from Wet Tail should be disinfected thoroughly with a disinfectant designed for small animal cages and left to stand for a few weeks before being used by another hamster.

[Angua]

Also if you buy one from a particular place with this problem chances are other Hamsters in the premises will have been affected. Try a new supplier (preferably one based on recommendation) and as above thoroughly clean and disinfect the cage and all accessories (anything not practical for disinfecting throw out & get new).

Sad to say wet tail is a very aggressive and hard infection to treat especially in younger Hamsters (you have to notice it immediately for any treatment to possibly have a chance of working). Might be worth making sure the hamster is a least 5 weeks old before you even consider taking them home.

If you don't mind a trek southwards I can thoroughly recommend the Witney Pet Centre our Hamster bought there is nearly 2 years old and the person who recommended them to us theirs is 2 1/2 years old.

[Jules]

We bought a hamster from there branch in Leeds and it died within a week so we got another one which lasted 2 weeks, this was a few years ago but the thing is all the other hamsters we have had from other places have always lived to a good age, 2 plus at least.

[greencreeper]

Did a Google and a few interesting things raised... It can be genetic, and it usually results from stress. So, thinking as if I were a hamster, I'd want to be left alone for a while with plenty of space, interesting things to gnaw on/sniff, and a nice, warm comfy bed that I can disappear into. Also, apparently the Syrian is more commonly affected.

You might just have been unlucky

The family had a hamster - Hammy. Vicious but incredibly cute. Amazing yawn.

[Angua]

Another tip once you find a different supplier is to make sure they give you some of the the bedding the hamster has been using to start you off with, which helps them feel at home (no good of course if wet tail is a problem at the suppliers).

[Matthew]

Personally I wouldn't buy from Pets at Home, I know alot of people who have lost pets from their, just something about the place.

[Graham M]

I would guess it's because it's a national chain like Pampered Pets, you might wanna try an independent store next time!

[Angua]

Originally Posted by greencreeper

Did a Google and a few interesting things raised... It can be genetic, and it usually results from stress. So, thinking as if I were a hamster, I'd want to be left alone for a while with plenty of space, interesting things to gnaw on/sniff, and a nice, warm comfy bed that I can disappear into. Also, apparently the Syrian is more commonly affected.

You might just have been unlucky

The family had a hamster - Hammy. Vicious but incredibly cute. Amazing yawn.

They do have incredibly long yellow teeth

[TheNorm]

Originally Posted by Angua

They do have incredibly long yellow teeth

What - Greencreeper's family?