Mites?

Misty0108 · 01-09-2014, 11:44 PM

I am thinking my new baby dwarf hamster might have mites or something. While I can't see anything, she is scratching like crazy. Does it sound like mites? If so, how can I get rid of them? Also my two gerbils are one level below her, only sticking out some (hard to explain). They have never had mites. What are the chances of them catching them in their own "cage" if that is what she has? Their home is completely solid on the bottom and four walls with a mesh lid.

DexterChloe · 01-10-2014, 01:07 AM

I thought one of my hams had mites when I first got him because he was frantically washing constantly. But what he was actually doing was scenting his cage not scratching at all.. So it could be that your new ham is doing this too...

tolennaki · 01-10-2014, 12:46 PM

If this is your first hamster, I agree that the cleaning routine could look like scratching excessively. I remember when my hamster had mites, he used to wake up even during day time and scratch, then go back to sleep, and he was doing that a few times every day (his house was semi-transparent so I could see him). Does your hamster do that? Another sign could be hair loss, so it might be worth checking her fur and see if there are any bald patches. You could take her to the vet who could advise further and give some appropriate medication (drops)

**DrKMcK** · 01-10-2014, 02:52 PM

If this was your only animal I would just wait and see, since it could just be the hammy is scenting a new home. But since you have other animals, who can get mites too, you might want to consider moving the new hammy away, in fact, out of the same room, as your gerbils. Then you can monitor the hammy for a few days. If this really seems excessive then you can take the hammy to the vet for mite treatment.

Misty0108 · 01-10-2014, 09:55 PM

A lot of it probably is scenting...she is also doing a lot of scratching with her back legs though, and that just looks like scratching to me (?) Would the mites be visible or microscopic? Luckily, she is not losing any fur. She has perfect baby-soft fur.

tolennaki · 01-11-2014, 06:44 AM

She sounds very pretty! The mites are not necessarily visible by naked eye I am afraid. Keep an eye on her and take her to the vet if things don't improve or seem to get worse.