References
Approaches to common conditions of the gastrointestinal tract in pet hamsters
Abstract
Hamsters are popular pets in the UK. The Syrian or Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is the best known species in the pet trade, with a variety of dwarf species also encountered. Gastrointestinal disease occurs frequently, and diarrhoea is a common presenting complaint. This is most often associated with bacterial or parasitic infection, but can also be related to neoplasia or the use of certain antibiotics. Initial stabilisation of the hamster with diarrhoea should include provision of a warm stress-free environment, fluid therapy, nutritional support with an appropriate critical care diet and analgesia. Following a full history and clinical examination, further diagnostic steps include faecal parasitology and microbiology, routine biochemistry and haematology, radiography with or without positive contrast, and abdominal ultrasound. Indications for surgery include evidence of intestinal obstruction or prolapsed intussusception. This article gives an overview of the most common gastrointestinal diseases encountered in hamster species and provides a guide of how to logically approach the investigation and treatment of these cases, achievable in general practice.
The Syrian or Golden hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) is the best-known species in the pet trade. Dwarf species such as the Russian Dwarf (Phodopus sungorous), Campbell's dwarf (Phodopus campbelli), Roborovski (Phodopus roborovskii) and the Chinese Hamster (Critetulus griseus) are also popular. Their lifespan is up to 3 years and gastrointestinal disease is common in these species, although there is a paucity of information in the literature regarding how to approach these cases.
Hamsters’ dental formula is 2 I1/1, C0/0, P0/0, M3/3. Their incisors are continuously growing and coloured yellow because of iron deposits in the enamel. The crowns of the molar teeth can retain food, so hamsters are susceptible to dental caries. Hamsters have large, non-glandular cheek pouches invaginating from the oral mucosa, which extend to the scapulae and are used for transporting food, bedding and young (O'Malley, 2005). Their contents must be taken into account when obtaining an accurate bodyweight. Hamsters have a large non glandular forestomach, leading into the main glandular stomach, separated by a muscular-like sphincter. The contents of these compartments do not mix. Oesophageal and stomach anatomy means, like other rodents, hamsters cannot vomit. The caecum is sacculated, containing bacterial microflora including Bacteroides spp. and Lactobacillus spp., plus a few coliforms and clostridia (O'Malley, 2005). The liver is divided into four lobes and the gall bladder is located in the ventral median lobe.
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