Healthy hamsters are energetic, but when sick, they show plenty of visible signs and spend much of their time curled up or lose their appetite. Unfortunately, these tiny creatures are prone to illnesses, including tumors and lumps, so can hamsters get cancer?
Hamsters are prone to various illnesses, including benign or malignant tumors. It’s common for hamsters, especially female ones, to get cancer that generally affects their reproductive organs, hormone-producing organs, skin, and digestive tract.
Benign tumors in hamsters usually don’t affect their health and lifestyle. But malignant tumors causing cancer can be fatal, especially when not detected early or when it has spread to other parts of the body. To help equip you to provide proper care for your little pet, read on to learn more about cancer in hamsters.
Symptoms of Cancer in Hamsters
Most of the symptoms of cancer in hamsters are like those accompanying other illnesses. An energetic hamster will suddenly (or in other cases gradually) display typical signs of being sick like:
- Becoming weaker.
- Losing interest in play or eating.
- Spending much of their time sleeping in the corner of the cage or hiding.
If your hamster’s cage has play tunnels, for example, you may find your hamster curled inside.
But there are some other behaviors you should look for too. Additional general symptoms that a hamster is sick include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Lethargy
- Weight loss
- Hair loss
According to PetMD, other symptoms are specific to cancer that you will easily detect by inspecting your hamster’s body and behavior. Some signs to look out for and possible explanations include:
| Symptoms | Causes |
| Growths or Lumps, | Benign or Malignant Tumors |
| Abdominal Pain | Bacterial infections, Diet or Cancer |
| Changes in Walking or Running | Injuries, Old Age or Cancerous Growths |
| Unhealthy Coat | Mites, Skin Cancer |
One of the most common symptoms that something is wrong with your hamster is if they have abdominal pain. Signs of serious issues include:
- Vomiting
- Stomach noises
- Distended stomach
Healthy, happy hamsters make squeaking or purring noises similar to the purring of a cat. Be careful, though, because they may also make those squeaking sounds when they’re in pain or stressed. A hamster in pain will also typically make crying noises or shrieks, so if you feel like something is bothering your pet, observe their behavior, including any differences in their sounds.
One telltale sign that it’s a happy squeak is if it’s:
- Not long-lasting.
- Remains consistent.
- Associated with a positive response.
A negative squeak, on the other hand, is usually prolonged and much louder than a happy squeak.
Common Types of Cancer in Hamsters
Cancer, or the growth of visible tumors or lumps on or inside a hamster’s body, are quite common. Females are more vulnerable to this condition, as one of the most common types of cancer involves the reproductive tract. Age and environmental factors, like an unclean habitat, can also lead to cancer in hamsters.
Here are hamsters’ most common types of cancers:
- Cancer of the reproductive tract. Female hamsters are more prone to this type of cancer because their reproductive system is more intricate than male hamsters
- Cancer of adrenal or thyroid glands. Cancers affecting hormone-producing and regulating organs are also common and often hard to detect from the outside, as the lumps are typically inside the body
- Cancer of the digestive tract. These involve unusual tumors in a hamster’s digestive tract and affect its ability to eat or metabolize its food, aside from decreasing its appetite
- Skin cancer. This disease is perhaps the easiest to detect and treat because the growths are generally visible on a hamster’s body, and treatment usually entails the removal of the affected part of the skin only
Treating Cancer in Hamsters
Just like with humans; you should leave the treatment of cancer in hamsters to the experts. If you suspect your hamster has cancer symptoms, take it to the vet immediately. The type of cancer, as well as its stage, will determine whether it is treatable. But the rule of thumb is the earlier it is detected, the better the effectiveness of treatment and chances of recovery.
So how exactly do vets treat cancers?
- Surgical removal of tumors. If cancer is skin deep, vets can easily remove the tumors or growths. Earlier stages of cancer are much easier to deal with, as they have not yet had the chance to spread (in the case of malignant tumors).
- Chemotherapy. If surgical removal of the tumors is not possible, an alternative is chemotherapy, which will kill cancer cells in the body through medicine.
If all else fails, pet owners can allow their sick hamster to live out the rest of its life with as much comfort as possible through medical treatments that focus on alleviating pain and targeting cancer symptoms instead of treating cancer itself.
Conclusion
It’s never pleasant when a pet gets sick, especially when it’s a condition that’s no longer treatable, such as when cancer has progressed to later stages before detection. This distinction is why it’s crucial to be observant when caring for a hamster to ensure they can live their lives to the fullest.