What is happening to her fur?

[lmh]

This is Taffie....she is a new mom of a 15 day old litter of 12 pups. Before she had these babies her fur looked quite normal to me. A bit thin behind the ears but nothing more then that. I haven't handled her much because of the babies, but Thursday, when I was cleaning out the cage, I gave her some extra love and noticed her bald spots!!
Upon looking, I saw a lot of dark marks on her skin, which I couldn't figure out if it was veins? bruises? looks just horrid! I snapped some photos and when I got them on the computer and zoooomed in, I noticed the 'dark areas' were actually patches of black fur growing in on the dark pigmented skin spots. ????
Anyone ever seen this before?? Large bald spots with only some black hair growing in patches?? She has lost ALOT of hair since this birth, but not all over.
She is bright eyed and eating/drinking well. She tends the pups and is a great mom.
Any thoughts on this balding area and patchy new growth???
(I will attach more pics on the next post)
taffie.jpg December 30th

IMG_4602.jpg February 25th

IMG_4604.jpg February 25th

IMG_4809.jpg March 12th

IMG_4812.jpg March 12th

[lmh]

These were all taken March 12th also. You can see how the bald areas are riddled with dark pigmented areas that are just now starting to grow new black fur. ???? I have no clue what is going on. On that last photo it looks like the balding is actually traveling down to her lower back (just above her browning area).

IMG_4813.jpg

IMG_4815.jpg

IMG_4816.jpg

IMG_4817-001.jpg

IMG_4821.jpg

[Piebald]

I am no expert but I wonder if it is possible she always had darker skin patches but it wasn't visible until the hair loss?

[Thin Lizzy]

That's truly strange! I hope it grows back.
Congratulations to Taffie and her 12 pups - that's a big litter!

[Nancy's Hamsters]

It could be her hormones are off because of the pups. Also she does look satin and satin fur is hollow in the shaft of fur and will show hair loss much quicker then normal coated hamsters. Nursing females also go through a big shed out called efluvium(not sure on spelling) Most females in this type shedding will become practically bald on their bellies but I have had a few extend to the upper body as well. I would keep a close eye on it and if it gets worse, or sores appear get her into a Vet to rule out parasites, or Cushings

[lmh]

Thanks for the input. I have been watching her closely - no scabs or redness at all. Just healthy pink skin with the black pigmented area covered in new black hair coming in....it just looks so weird!
Nancy - if mom looks to be a satin then that baby must be a satin! Strange that she only had one satin out of the 12 (unless some of the black babies are also satin??). I am posting more pics of the baby on the other thread 'what color is her fur?'. I am still a bit confused on her coloring.