Other signs of disease include matting of the fur around the tail, unkempt haircoat, hunched stance, loss of appetite, dehydration, emaciation, and irritability. Blood from the rectum and rectal prolapse may be noticed in some advanced cases. If you hamster is exhibiting any of these signs, contact your veterinarian at once. Specific antibiotics and supportive care can be attempted to treat wet tail, but unfortunately, death results in just a few days in most cases. Infestation with demodectic mites is one of the most common infectious causes of patch alopecia.
Hamsters tend to have relatively short lifespans when compared to other species.
The average life expectancy of a hamster is between 2 and 3 years. For this reason, aging disorders are not uncommon in these animals. Treatment of these conditions involves managing clinical signs since cures are not possible. Most geriatric diseases are not curable and often result in the hamster's death. Amyloidosis is a condition whereby protein produced by the body are deposited in various organs, primarily the liver and kidneys.