A lump on my hamster's back?

Starfisher · 11-02-2014, 10:00 PM

Hi, there!

So I recently bought two Campbell dwarf hamsters (names pending!) from the local Pet Smart, both male and from the same litter. Currently, they are housed together and have not been fighting at all, but I'm keeping a close eye on them anyway.

In any case, I've noticed that one hamster is far more active than the other, constantly running on the wheel, while the other seems to just lumber around. The second hamster does eat and drink normally, but I don't know if his relative lack of activity should be a concern?

ALSO, I was holding the second hamster today when I noticed a tiny, tiny little bump on his back when I ran my finger down it. I tried to get a better look, but he's really active when he's being held, and I have no idea what it might be. It's maybe the size of like, a third or fourth of one of those cake sprinkles (great unit of measurement, I know).

Being a new hamster owner and a general paranoid parrot, I don't know if I should be concerned about this? Does this point to any health issues? I'm debating whether or not to take him back to the pet store (which I really don't want to, because I already love him); if not, I'm going to take him to the vet tomorrow or the day after. In the meanwhile, thoughts?

//flails

Thanks for reading!!

souffle · 11-03-2014, 01:51 AM

If one is a lot more active it may be that he is being bullied so it is good to watch carefully that he isn't hiding in his hut or staying away from bowl and wheels etc. I would scatter feed as one can hog the food and not allow the other access to eat enough and this causes stress for both animals. The lump does sound like a small bite wound that has scabbed so it may be they are starting to bicker a bit. I would watch it as vets are not needed if it is healing well however if you think there may be an underlying health issue then have them both checked as best the vets handle both to keep the scent the same in the group. Changing that can set off more fighting. Don't clean them too often and do half changes and have two of everything in the cage.

Starfisher · 11-03-2014, 06:29 AM

Hi Souffle,

Thank you for the reply!

As far as bullying goes, when I observe them, it actually seems like the second hamster is more dominant. The first one flips onto his tummy a lot and lets the other one do whatever it wants. We do scatter feed but I will look into getting another set of everything.

Is the second hamster's general aggression a sign of illness? He's a lot more aggressive than the first one and bites when he's picked up, while the other is docile and likes being pet.

Thanks again!

souffle · 11-03-2014, 08:23 AM

They often just have different temperaments. Do you think they are siblings?
Some hamsters have cage aggression so you are best to take them out with a tube, ball or tub and take them away from the cage to handle. If this is the cause they should be fine once out.
How much do they drink and wee? Sometimes pet shop hamsters can develop diabetes and this can make them grouchy.

Skeever · 11-03-2014, 03:21 PM

Two questions, never having housed a pair of hams.....well one is a general one. Could a bump that size also be a tiny cyst as in hammy acne? I haven't come across it, but wondered if they also have minor skin eruptions once in a while.....

Second, is the whole flip on the back body language the sign of a bullied ham? Don't hamsters have a hierarchy without that submissive gesture? more of a ham walking like a female ham in heat, to show submission? not the whole belly up? That does sound like a result of fighting, but I'm only going from what I've read, not what I've seen....

Starfisher · 11-03-2014, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

They often just have different temperaments. Do you think they are siblings?
Some hamsters have cage aggression so you are best to take them out with a tube, ball or tub and take them away from the cage to handle. If this is the cause they should be fine once out.
How much do they drink and wee? Sometimes pet shop hamsters can develop diabetes and this can make them grouchy.

Hey, Souffle!

I picked him up again today and it was a lot better. He still bit me once or twice, but for the most part, he was just very eager to explore my arms and tummy. The first hammy is still nicer, though! I guess I can attribute that to different personalities.

They seem to eat a fair amount and drink at random intervals. The second one doesn't run on the wheel as much. Is that okay?

I sure hope he doesn't have diabetes! Going to research that immediately.

Thanks again!

Starfisher · 11-03-2014, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skeever

Two questions, never having housed a pair of hams.....well one is a general one. Could a bump that size also be a tiny cyst as in hammy acne? I haven't come across it, but wondered if they also have minor skin eruptions once in a while.....

Second, is the whole flip on the back body language the sign of a bullied ham? Don't hamsters have a hierarchy without that submissive gesture? more of a ham walking like a female ham in heat, to show submission? not the whole belly up? That does sound like a result of fighting, but I'm only going from what I've read, not what I've seen....

I pet him again today and couldn't seem to find it. I'm not sure what it was/is. I don't know if it's for sure gone because it was so tiny and he's so squirmy, but I'll be safe and take him to the vet.

I've noticed the two interact and they're actually pretty close. They like to cuddle together in their hut and the first hamster hasn't flipped onto his back at all today. I don't know if the belly up gesture was a sign of submission or the hamster just being jumpy--he's pretty jumpy in general and sometimes winds up on his back/side even when the other hammy is far away!

Starfisher · 11-17-2014, 02:57 PM

Hey, everyone!

We took hammy number two, now named Sven, to the vet and it turns out that the bump was from some accidental injury or scratch (not from mites or anything, thank goodness). He was actually getting a small balding spot there and we were freaking out!

Anyways, we got some ointment for him and we're going to put Sven and Burrito in a larger bin and monitor them for a week or two to see if the little bump gets better/if it was caused by fighting, as per the vet's recommendation. If it doesn't get better and they seem to be fighting, we're going to separate them!

Thanks again for all of the replies!

Hopefullygettingahamster · 11-18-2014, 10:50 AM

Don't know if you know this already but just to let you know, pet store Campbell and ww dwarfs are hybrids.

Starfisher · 11-19-2014, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hopefullygettingahamster

Don't know if you know this already but just to let you know, pet store Campbell and ww dwarfs are hybrids.

I have heard this, but I've also heard that it is infinitely more likely for an advertised 'ww' to be hybrids, while there is a higher chance for Campbells to be Campbells, since they're less rare. Ultimately, who knows if the pet stores are telling the truth? Thanks for the heads up, though!