Hamster diarrhea for two weeks

[Charbir]

I got a hamster two weeks ago from petsmart. From day 1 he had terrible poop — very soft almost liquid. I didn't feel like wet tail was an issue because it didn't get the belly wetness, fatigue or any other factors — just had poop on his butt area that was crusty because of how often he pooped and how bad it was even through he cleaned a lot.

After a week of this I got kordon wet tail drops from the store just as a diarrhea aid but it did nothing. The cage would be caked in various areas because of how soft and liquidy esp where he slept.

Normally with my other hamsters or rodents I could just shake out their bed but not the case here full clean out scrubbing required. I think if it was food related it would have resolved by now because it was bad when I picked him up after he ate their food (oxbow essentials and then bad all these two weeks with Kaytee mix food my old lady hamster that died several weeks ago had been using. He has not had veggies or fruits since I know that wouldn't help diarrhea.

So I took him back Thursday to petsmart for the vet. They took him back and he got to the vet today. Their vet said nothing is wrong with him and sent him back to petsmart with clean bill of health. I now have 3 days to decide if I want to pick him back up.

I like the guy but it's weird and I've never seen an issue like this having owned 11 other rodents in the last 10 years. I'm willing to go pick him up if it's fixable with home remedies but not looking do any additional vet stuff. I would rather just go get a different healthy hamster if I got to start things off that way. It would be different if I already owned him outright. Does anyone have a solution to this? Sorry for the gross photos from a few days ago.

 

[Maz]

Aw poor thing having diarrhoea. It's strange the vet said there was nothing wrong with him if he has diarrhoea. I can understand you being worried if you think he could be unwell and die - as that would be upsetting for anyone. It often can be wet tail if it's a very young hamster who has had a change of environment - and if it isn't, then it's diarrhoea. So it could still be stress, or just diet related if not used to veggies.

I'm not sure what to suggest, but now he's back there, someone will get him if he doesn't come back to you no doubt. I think the decision is entirely up to you. Hamsters from pet shops can be sold with illnesses unfortunately and sometimes they're contageous. Is there a hamster rescue near you?