My hamster has a random large red bump on his balls that is soft to the touch?

[Megfly]

I'm seriously freaking out. My hamster, Zuko, recently has developed this massive red bump on his balls overnight. I'm extremely worried that my hamster has some type of tumor/cyst or something? I can't take him to the vet today because it's thanksgiving. I was just curious if anyone could narrow down and tell me what it is? He is only around 5 months old. I got him when he was like 2 weeks old in June. He's still really active and acting normal. I've had 6 hamsters in my lifetime and I have never seen anything like this.Trying to get a pic of hamster balls is not an easy feat. I feel awkward having them on the internet lmao. I recently had to change his food because petsmart didn't have the feed i usually get him... Do you think that has something to do with it? Any ideas would be very beneficial. Thanks. (images attached)

[souffle]

Aww poor little fella. It looks as if he has an infection in the testicles or an abscess in there. (Orchiditis) You need to see the vet with him and he will likely get antibiotics. It should be OK but try and get him seen tomorrow. If it is an abscess they may drain it but you will need to wait and see.
Welcome to HC and hope he is better soon.

[Megfly]

thank you ): I love him very much and I don't want him in pain. It's hard to even get a hold of a vet due to the holidays but the one emergency vet i contacted doesn't even deal with hamsters or I would have taken him today ): but thanks for your reply at least I sorta have an idea of what it is now.

[Megfly]

I took my hamster to the vet yesterday and zuko has an infection in his scrotum so they gave me antibiotics and opened it up and got the junk out of there and they gave me soap to wash the wound. When I wash it though I'm supposed to soak his bottom in it and when I do that he ends up licking it dry so i'm not sure what to do because I don't want the cleaning stuff to make him sicker He's running around and what not but he's being extremely picky with his food. They filed down his teeth while he was there so i'm not sure if that has something to do with it but I have 4 different types of food and I have to pick out stuff that he'll eat. I'm not really sure what else to do to make sure he eats!

[ANGELBABIES]

Try giving him some baby food from jars until he is healthy and can eat on his own his hammy food. Glad that his bump has been sorted out, and hope he recovers soon. Hammy hugs to the poor little fella xx

[DrKMcK]

Hello Megfly. Glad it's something that can be cleared up with antibiotics. As for his poor appetite, the antibiotics may be making him fussy and the teeth trim may feel funny for him. Let him eat what he wants. Also the baby food is a good idea. You can also give him some oatmeal/porridge or cooked pasta. Pamper him a little bit until he feels better. Good for you looking for info the way you did. Early treatment with these little guys is usually really important. I hope Zuko gets better quickly.

[souffle]

Glad to hear he has had his treatment. Well done you for taking him in. The antibiotics will help him get better. I'm sure the wash will be safe even if licked but try and keep him busy with some yummy food and a nibble stick till it is try to distract him from licking at it. It should heal up soon though. Feeding some of the tasty treats mentioned will help him too xx

[Megfly]

Thanks for the input he's being really active. He's running on his wheel as i write this! So hopefully that means he's feeling somewhat better. He's still being picky with his food though. I tried giving him oatmeal but he was just like what is this stuff? I'm hoping once we are done with the antibiotics he'll get his appetite back. I know when I was on antibiotics I didn't want to eat either. I just get paranoid that he's going to starve himself but he seems okay since he's running around lol. I just hate that he's mad at me for cleaning his butt and forcing him to take antibiotics hopefully he forgives me soon