How can I treat my hamster's wet tail?

If you really adore him, I wouldn’t run the risk of not getting him back (And that seems just wrong of PetSmart). I don’t know much (anything) about hamsters and wet tails, but I would take him to the vet right away and give PetSmart the good old one finger salute.

I’ve had a number of hamsters die of wet tail even after beieng to the vet. It is quite a serious condition; you should try the vet if you can afford it.

Poor long haired fellow. According to a source I just read long haired hamsters are super susceptible to wet tail. I hope he is only suffering from mild symptoms. If you’re super down for him go ahead and send him to a vet. Also, double check environments next time and always wash hands before you handle them.

What is ‘wet tail’?

How is your hammy?

What is ‘wet tail?

@Dutchess_III It’s a bacterial infection. The hamster gets a wet tail from diarrhea.
You can read more on it here

Amazingly, I’ve raised dozens upon dozens of hamsters and none of mine ever had it.

We had bought two for my son one year for Christmas and they both sickened and died within a day from wet tail.

@janbb That’s probably why mine never had it. I rarely bought hamsters. I bred them. I also raised many mother-less litters for a local pet shop.

I do remember fromt he shop owner how devastating it was if one or more got it. In his case, he counted them as goners. At the time, vets didn’t often treat hamsters. The vets in our area were still doing mostly large animals.

@SpatzieLover Yes – I later learned that they are overbred at Christmas time and very prone to it.