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Golden Hamster:  Most frequent diseases.   Vet Dr. Tiger gives information and advice.

Only the most important diseases that might infect golden       hamsters will be described hereafter. In case of bite wounds,       skin eschars, scab formation, emaciation, itching, feed       refusal, diarrhoea etc., the vet must be consulted. Also if       apathy, respiratory distress, tiredness, nasal or ocular       discharge occur, one must be on the alert.       The quicklier a diagnosis is made and a specific therapy       induced, the speedier a recovery of the animal may be       expected. Most diseases are without risk for human beings.       Just be careful in case of transmissible parasites such as       mange mites! The following table shows a survey of the most frequently occurring diseases of golden hamsters.

Disease	Causes	Symptoms	Visit veterinarian?
Bite wounds	Loner! Attacks other hamsters	Infection of the bite wound, formation of scab	Keep animals separately, careful cleaning of the wound, healing powder
Constipation / injury of the cheek pouch	Unsuitable feed (chocolate, sweets)	Impaction of the cheek pouches	Use suitable feed only, consult vet
Skin	Various mites, acariasis	Formation of scales and scab, itching, eschars	Consult vet
Diarrhoea	Infection, stress situations, change in feed	Diarrhoea, weakness, emaciation, dehydrating, death	Keep animals in hygienic condition and in ways appropriate to their species, perfect feed, consult vet
Affection of the airway	Infections, stress, bad hygienic conditions, low temperatures, bad alimentation	Nasal and ocular discharge, shortness of breath, tiredness, feed refusal	Keep animal in best possible way, best alimentation, consult vet
LCM (meningitis)	Meningococcus or viral infection	Vomiting, sudden fever, coordination disorder	Consult vet

Self-Medication

Many of the diseases can be avoided if the cage is kept clean and the best suitable and balanced feed is given. If for instance the droppings of the golden hamster are a paste or even liquid instead of having the form of a pencil, it is recommended to stop giving green roughage for some days. On the other hand, hard and dry droppings indicate that there is a green roughage deficiency. Pest infestation can be combatted by using suitable flea powders and by thoroughly cleaning the cage. Teeth deformities can also be avoided by putting enough pieces of hardwood in diameter of 1 to 2 centimeters into the cage or some branches of willow, birch, alder or hazel. It is also possible to offer the golden hamster a soft limestone, or maybe a cuttle fish shell, which will cover his requirement of calcium.

Emergency situations

Unfortunately, as far as such small animals like the golden hamsters are concerned, it is very difficult to recognize an emergency situation at all. The few reserves of this small body are spent quickly. If the golden hamster, however, is being observed regularly, it is easy to recognize when it is time to take immediate action. Emergency cases can be caused by bite wounds or as a consequence of carelessness on the part of the pet owner (carrying around and letting fall, cat bites, kicking, being caught in the door etc).

When to consult the veterinarian?

Every pet owner who looks after his golden hamster will not fail to notice any change in the animal's behaviour, for instance if all of a sudden it does not climb anymore, does not eat anymore or always looks tired. However, unfortunately it is not easy to recognize rapidly progressing diseases in the case of such small animals. If symptons indicate diseases, the animal should be brought to the vet's practice as quickly as possible.