Pet hamsters may carry a variety of infectious diseases, including but not limited to the following:
Hantavirus: This virus can be transmitted through hamster urine, feces, saliva, etc., and may lead to serious diseases.
Salmonella infection: This is a common bacterial infection transmitted through unclean food or environment and may cause symptoms such as diarrhea and loss of appetite.
Clostridium tetani: Easily transmitted after being bitten or in contact.
Other bacterial diseases: Such as plague and tick-borne relapsing fever. Although relatively rare, they still need to be vigilant.
Parasite infection: Such as mites and fleas, which may be transmitted to humans or other pets.
Preventive measures
To reduce the spread of infectious diseases in pet hamsters, the following measures can be taken:
Keep the environment clean: Regularly clean the hamster's breeding environment, including the breeding cage, water bottle, food dish, mattress, etc., and keep it dry and clean.
Regularly deworm: Regularly deworm and clean hamsters to avoid parasite infestation.
Pay attention to personal hygiene: Wash hands thoroughly after contacting hamsters and avoid direct contact with their excrement.
Choose a healthy population: When buying hamsters, choose a reputable pet store to ensure that they come from a healthy population.
Avoid contact with wild rodent species: Avoid letting pet hamsters come into contact with other wild rodent species to reduce the risk of virus transmission.