Bites, Mites or Ringworm?

[Phoenix]

I picked up Boris on Saturday 27th July, approx 3 months old. I was aware he had been living with his brother and that he had bites from him but figured those would heal up fine with me. I found out when picking him up that the two had also been with an older boy and at first they thought this boy was bullying Boris. They weren't separated though and after the older boy went, they had to break up a big fight between Boris and his brother and separated them then.

Now, I just wanted to get him home so didn't really look too closely at the scabby bits - the bits I could see around his face looked scabbed over and healing so I figured he'd be fine. I put a little hibiscrub from the vets on the easy to reach scabs (he's pretty shy and jumpy) but as he's settled down a little during the week, I've managed to get a closer look.

I noticed yesterday his skin was looking very flaky all over and the flakes on his ears resembled one of my older hamsters when they had mites but could also be ringworm (or just healing scabs). I'm possibly being paranoid and seeing things that aren't there but I'm sure he's lost more hair around his eyes since I got him. I treated for mites just in case the stress from being bullied triggered him getting them and he's got a Vet appointment on Monday so he can get a culture in case it turns out to be fungal.

Going through his hair today it's a lot less flaky - he's getting a lot more comfortable with me parting his hair and checking through the scabs now. I don't know if that means its mites and the treatment has already started working or if the flakes were just from scabs that were falling off the old bite wounds and just grooming the mite treatment out of his hair also cleared out the old flakes. I think because he's a satin longhair, it looks worse than it possibly is too but what does everyone else think?

Parted the hair to reveal the scabby bit on his back


Also Has A Spot Behind Ear


Close Ups Behind Ear




Eyes & Nose






Ear


I'm going to reiterate that he is going to the vets on Monday but I'd like some opinions on what it might be in the meantime and anything extra I should be doing. Obviously I've quarantined him and he's getting Vetark Avipro plus in his water and I'm being extra careful with hand washing in case it's fungal. He's also getting lots of yummy treats like egg and cooked chicken to keep his strength up.

[csockman]

It is definitely symptomatic of a fungal infection (but as you already know, it could be altogether something else). Here are some pictures of ringworm from my hams that had it.

http://sites.google.com/site/ourrobohamsters/

[souffle]

In all honesty Phoenix he does not look like a well hamster. The ears are down. eyes half closed and he looks like an 'old animal' with the dry skin and rather ruffled look. I think you are wise to see a vet as the stress he has been under may well have brought on a mite infection though that skin does look as if his diet has been badly lacking. He is a satin but judging his colour is hard due to his poor condition. Feeding him well and making him secure and settled should help. I would suggest some vitamins in his food, especially B vits for his skin and more oiley seeds like sunflower hearts and linseed. A drop of cod liver oil in a porridge daily may help the coat too and adding some wheatgerm may improve his health.
There may be something else wrong or it may be that he just needs time and good treatment. I really hope he rallies round soon as he has had a very hard start in life. Gentle brushing with a baby brush will help remove the scurf. Don't fret over it as long as he is not itchy. It could well clear on his next moult when he has recovered and his diet is correct.
Good luck in nursing the wee lad and lets hope he is soon feeling better.

[Char]

Hope he's better soon

[Phoenix]

Well, he's been spoilt rotten these past few days with lots of yummy, nutritious treats (I'm pretty sure he'd eat a whole human sized portion of porridge in one sitting given half the chance ). His ears are still pinned and he's sleeping a lot but he's also eating, drinking and loving his wheel so hopefully I'll have him back on track soon.

The mite treatment had no effect, and as expected, his scabby little body lit up green under the black light at the vets so it's confirmed fungal He was a little star for his anti fungal bath though, so well behaved.

It was hard to see how skinny he was under all that long hair but obvious while wet (poor wee guy only weighs 85g ). Hopefully with the fungal infection being killed off and a good diet though he should beef up in no time

[Syrian Hammy]

I really hope recovers quickly. At least now he's found a loving home.

[Phoenix]

Quick update on Boris. He's starting to look a lot better; ears are up, he's more active and he's getting a lot braver about coming onto my hands. His fur is obviously still patchy but he's starting to look good

[csockman]

He definitely looks like a different ham! So adorable! Did he get a lime-sulfur dip? If not, what solution did your vet use? I am always curious regarding fungal infections . Does he need a follow-up trip to the vet for another bath or is it one and out?

[Phoenix]

The vets prescribed Malaseb anti-fungal & antibacterial shampoo. From what I've read, it's normally used with other treatments but it seems to be doing the job alone

They just gave me the shampoo so the bathing part was left up to me. He'll need a bath once a week for three weeks (I'm betting he doesn't behave so well for the next two!).

[csockman]

Phoenix, thank you for the info, and I am glad your little guy is on his way to a nice recovery (thanks to you).