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Old 08-17-2011, 03:56 PM   #1
MzWiz0915
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Exclamation Blood in fur-unknown cause

I just noticed fresh blood in Astrid's fur. She's a robo, she lives alone and has no sharp objects in her cage. Also, her nails were just trimmed several days ago, they are still short and are smooth, not scratchy.

She was resting with my while I worked on a paper and she started to wake up and get active. I picked her up and let her scurry about over my fingers to have a good look at her (I try to check my hamsters from nose to tail, back and belly side every day).

The blood is in the space between her upper limb and chin, on her belly side. Sorry if this doesn't make sense, I couldn't get a picture. I tried to look more closely at the spot and she bit me twice, pretty hard.

Astrid is NOT a biter. This makes me suspect she is in pain and acting defensively to protect herself.


I had Matt carefully hold her while I pushed the fur aside with a cotton-tipped ear swab and I can not find any scratch or open sore! I am very concerned by this blood and her behavior. She's sleeping now and I plan to check her again when she wakes up to see if there is more blood or any signs of injury or infection.

I can not figure out what's wrong with her or where the blood is coming from! Please, if you have any advice or thoughts about this, share them with me!
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Old 08-17-2011, 04:45 PM   #2
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

I'm guessing the blood is from her mouth then. Can you scruff her to check out her teeth? She could have bitten herself, or her teeth could be too long. She also could have an infection in her cheek pouch. I'd take her to the vet to have these possibilities checked out and some antibiotics prescribed.
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Old 08-17-2011, 05:29 PM   #3
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

Definitely got a good look at her teeth, they seem fine but I hadn't considered her cheek! I will check her out tonight since it's 8:30 here in Rhode Island, if she's not acting totally normal by tomorrow then I will have to take her to the animal hospital nearby.

I can't think of anyone else who might treat small animals near me...I had trouble searching for a vet when Gloria was having trouble. I wish more people in the US took an interest in small animals! Would make getting help so much easier!

Thanks for the advice LoveMyHams!
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Old 08-17-2011, 06:10 PM   #4
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

I really hope it's nothing too serious and just a wee cut. She's so tiny it'll be difficult to tell!

Good luck. Let us know how she is! x
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Old 08-17-2011, 06:48 PM   #5
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

Will do!

I sold a bunch of my belongings on ebay and sold most of my gold and silver jewellery today for grocery money (...I'm in college right now and was very sick over break and couldn't work) But if my baby girl needs a ham-doctor then it's Ramen noodles for another month! lol
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Old 08-17-2011, 06:51 PM   #6
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

Good luck MzWiz, it's tough being poor (I graduated with my 4 year last year and still don't have a good paying job). I hope all goes well for you and the little one.
I agree with there not being many options for vets here in the US, I'm in a smaller town now so I have no idea where I'll go if my little ones need it, I'll have to beg the vets.
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Old 08-17-2011, 07:01 PM   #7
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

That's my issue, even larger pet "hospitals" usually think it's ridiculous to treat a hamster. And I'm in a small tourist town on the shore, vets don't bring in much seasonal money from summer people
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Old 08-17-2011, 07:06 PM   #8
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

We have farm animal vets here so the smallest thing the treat regularly is a cat.
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Old 08-18-2011, 01:50 AM   #9
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

Is there any chance she has been bar chewing and bruised or bitten her cheek?
If the pouch seems swollen or lumpy there could be seed or somthing inside that has jabbed it. This sometimes resolves on its own but you may want to offer some soft food as well in case she is tender in there and monitor for a few days.
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Old 08-18-2011, 03:20 PM   #10
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Default Re: Blood in fur-unknown cause

No bar chewing, she doesn't have any bars. I still have no idea what the source of the blood was, but she seems okay now! I checked her twice last night and three times today, no blood, no biting, no lumps, bumps or scrapes! Bizarre, but I'm glad she's not in pain anymore. I will be continuing to monitor her closely for any sign of injury/abscess, but she's definitely being my sweet Astrid today She nuzzled up to me and groomed herself right before she peed on my pillow! lol
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