Once again I bring bad news...

[Kain]

Once again I am a bringer of bad news..

Tyza, Lilo, Venus have a brain virus, they have all been wobbly so I took them into work this morning. It affects all rodents and can be contagious. The virus attacks the part of the brain that controls the nerves and muscles. I lot Yuna a few hours ago to the dreaded virus. Thunder is also suffering from it, the silver lining is that Thunder and Storm are in the very early stage and can be treated.

All the healthy members of the Army including the Rats and Gerbils have been shipped off to my older brothers Ade, There they will have less chance of catching it. I have had the others checked over and so far there is no sign of the illness.

I will be giving up keeping hamsters after I loose the rest of the army. It's heartbreaking to watch the poor mights go through this.

The illness is still very new to hamsters, it's caused by the fact that hamsters are bread so much now that there gene pools are unstable. Another example of this sort of thing is with the tropical fish Neon Tetras.

So where do I go from here? I really do not know. The Kane you all used to know is fading away...

[jeannie]

Oh, my, that is so horrible! I hope you are able to make it through this rough time. How long will you have to quarantine them all? I'm so sorry!!!

[calvinator1]

Oh, Kane, I'm so sorry. Is this something that can be passed on in the genes? How do they catch it?

[Kain]

It's called Degenerative Spinal Disorder (DSD) It is usually a weekend gene in the gene pool with starts them off. It can be caught though if a hamster eats something another hamsters has had (it's usually pooh that is the spreader)

The worst is all rodents can get it..

Kane

[Hamsters82]

Oh, I'm so sorry!!! Is their any kind of treatment for them?

[rasputin]

Kane, so sorry to hear of the sickness. I'll keep your pals in my prayers.

Is there any way to spot this -- any telltale symptoms?

[cognac]

Kane,
I send to you my deepest condolences. I'm very sorry to hear about this. *hugs* *hugs*
Cognac

[Kain]

James, The main symptoms are wobbling..they around like they have had a few to many beers. Other symptoms are very sticky eyes, slightly swollen head and very red ears.

There some comfort that there not in actually pain. They do eat soft food and drink. It's just a shame to see them go through this.

However, it's not all sad, there is 1 in 10 chance they will make a full recovery.

Yuna however missed her chance

Kane

[Die Fledermaus]

I trust you've read my Memorial and Death Watch threads about Rainy in which some of her symptoms were described. At first I thought there might be some similarity to yours, but no, not all all, other than the wobbliness. No way, if you read what I described about Rainy.

Anyway, so sorry. I always worry about keeping them in close proximity and that something can spread. Never has here.

[voodooray]

I have changed this post.

Sad idiot that wrote it has been banned.

Kane

[Kain]

Very funny VoodooRay, I laughed so much I banned you.

No prizes for guessing who this is.

Kane

[calvinator1]

Maybe we should start a pool as to how long he'll be gone this time.... ;D