Sensitivity of Hamsters to Certain Antibiotics

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Hamsters as a group are unusually sensitive to the potentially

lethal effects of certain antibiotics, whether they are given

orally or by injection.  Potentially harmful antibiotics include

ampicillin, penicillin, erythromycin, lincomycin and

streptomycin.



The major way in which certain antibiotics cause reactions is by

altering the normal microbial balance within the gastrointestinal

tract.  Once the normal intestinal microfloral balance has been

upset, certain bacteria multiply to abnormally large numbers.

The multiplying bacteria produce harmful chemicals that can have

lethal effects.



Certain antibiotics (streptomycin, dihydrostreptomycin) are

directly toxic and do not alter the normal microbial balance

within the gastrointestinal tract.  These antibiotics should

never be used in hamsters.



Though injectable antibiotics can cause the problems described

above, oral antibiotics are more often associated with them.

Antibiotics should never be given to hamsters unless they are

prescribed by a veterinarian.  If oral or injectable antibiotics

are prescribed, 1/2 cc (1/10 teaspoon) of plain, white yogurt

should be given orally to the treated hamster morning and evening

for the duration of the antibiotic therapy and for an additional

5-7 days afterward.  Yogurt helps replace those beneficial

intestinal bacteria that often perish during antibiotic

treatment.