One of our nurses, Katie, was recently invited to present at the BSAVA (The British Small Animal Veterinary Association*) to share her finding of predisposing factors to proliferative ileitis in the Syrian hamster.  Detailed below is an abstract...

Proliferative ileitis in hamsters is associated with a grave prognosis, thus prevention is essential. The causative organism is Lawsonia intracellularis, which results in clinical disease during times of elevated stress. It is unknown whether L.intracellularis is carried by clinically healthy hamsters. There is limited scientific information on predisposing factors, including the important stressors. The aim of this prospective study was to identify if; weight, gender or number of hamsters housed within a 46 x 28 x 22 cm wire topped cage predispose hamsters to proliferative ileitis.

Data were collected from 475 hamsters arriving at a commercial pet supplier. A description of each was taken, this included markings, gender, weight and hamster groupings. Hamsters developing proliferative ileitis at the retailer or within one week of homing were diagnosed based on clinical signs of diarrhoea, dehydration and lethargy and identified by the researcher.

Gender had no significant influence on hamsters’ predisposition to disease, therefore hamsters were considered irrespective of gender for following statistical analyses.

A statistically significant correlation was discovered between increasing group size and incidence of disease where hamsters were in groups of two to six. No hamsters housed in groups of two or three developed disease, two percent of hamsters in groups of four, two percent of hamsters in groups of five and 24% of hamsters in groups of six developed disease.

This study indicates that as group size rises, chance of contracting proliferative ileitis increases. Increased stress levels in hamsters housed within larger groups may be a causative factor. It is unclear from this study whether the limiting factor is number of cage mates or the space allowance per hamster; further research is necessary to identify this. Within the retail outlet weanling hamsters should be housed in groups no larger than three to reduce incidence of disease.

This study indicated that weight and gender are not predisposing factors to disease. Commercial pet suppliers can accept hamsters of both genders, weighing between 43g and 120g without fear of predisposition to proliferative ileitis.

*The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) exists to promote excellence in small animal practice through education and science.

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