Hamsters are an extremely popular exotic pet. Often, smaller animals such as hamsters are not routinely wormed as a preventative measure (as with dogs and cats), so regular monitoring (faecal screening) is required to diagnose infections with endoparasites such as tapeworms.
The Dwarf Tapeworm (Hymenolepis nana) is the most common intestinal parasite found in hamsters. Often transmitted from contaminated food or water, or by direct contact with carriers of this parasite (fleas etc), when found in large numbers, infection can lead to symptoms including diarrhoea, dehydration, loss of appetite, weight loss, inflammation and blockage of the intestines, and in worse cases, death. Often hamsters with low numbers of tapeworm do not show any obvious symptoms, so the infection can go undetected. However, this is a zoonotic species of tapeworm – meaning humans can become infected when handling hamsters or cleaning their housing etc.
Therefore, regular faecal screening is crucial to identify parasites in the early stages of infection and provide opportunity for early intervention of treatment. Here at PALS, we offer a variety of reliable, affordable faecal tests and screening packages with quick turnaround times that include microscopy; our experienced staff analyse direct wet preparation and sedimentation slides to identify and quantify endoparasites such as tapeworm.
Figure 1: The Dwarf Tapeworm Hymenolepis nana.
Fig 1: the hooks of the tapeworm are clearly visible (magnification x 400) using a light microscope.