Hamsters

 

Hamsters

The Syrian hamster is the most popular among the hamsters for research as well as people rear them as a pet. They are found in various colors. Following are the husbandry practices of only Syrian hamster:

Restraining

·                     They can be restrained holding the loose skin around the shoulders or neck.

·                     They may be grasped by placing a hand around the thorax.

·                     They can also be grasped using a cotton sheet.

Handling

·                     Before handling a hamster, make sure that it is ready to be picked up so that it doesn’t show a nervous reaction.

·                     Place both hands under the animal, bring the palm upward and bring the animal upward like a scoop.

 

Housing

·                     Hamsters are also housed usually in shoe box-style cages made of plastic or metal.

·                     Usually, no bedding materials like wood shavings or grounded chips are placed in the bottom of the cage which is placed for a mouse.

Feeding/nutrition

·                     Water should be available either through an automatic water system or manual water bottles.

·                     Food is provided ad libitum.

·                     Hamster begins to eat solid food at about 7-10 days of age.

·                     Food is commercially prepared in the form of milled, firm, and dry blocks.

·                     They can eat any type of grains available.

·                     Food should be offered on the floor of the cage.

Breeding

·                     A monogamous or polygamous system of mating may be established depending on various factors.

·                     They are first bred at the age of 6-8 weeks.

·                      The Breeding hamster should be kept on solid floors rather than grid floor cages.

·                     As they reach sexual maturity, the breeding should be commenced because at that time breeding efficiency is maximum.

·                     The gestation period is 15-18 days.

Environmental management

·                     A temperature range of 20-22 degrees centigrade should be maintained in hamster rooms.

·                     Humidity should be in the range of 40-60%.

·                      The light should be provided at least a full day, usually, 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness are provided to the hamster house.

·                     Cleaning the house 2-3 times a week is recommended.

Treatment of diseases

Some common infections of hamster include:

·                     Proliferative Ileitis

·                     Actinomycosis

·                     Staphylococcus infection

·                     Pseudotuberculosis infection

·                     Tularemia

·                     Sendai virus

·                     Parvovirus

·                     Ringworm

·                     Pinworms

·                     Tapeworms

Treatment is done according to the diagnosis of disease and causative agents.