My hamster has a lump or scab by/in his ear.

[jamrog mom]

Hi all,
I need some help. I felt what I thought was a tiny scab in his ear. It felt straw like and I assumed he just scratched it on something. Looked like it was falling out, it felt straw like scratchy. I never saw any blood or anything. This morning it is bigger than his ear, looks smooth but raised but solid and doesn't seem to be filled with anything. He doesn't scratch it or anything, should I be concerned?

[Leila0420]

Hi Jamrog mum, does the lump feel soft or hard? I'd have a gentle check all over him for lumps and bumps... Does he seem OK in himself? Is he eating and drinking OK?
My internet is bad so the photo isn't loading very well... From what I can see he's a Russian dwarf hybrid? How old is he?

My gut instinct is it's an infected scab but maybe someone else on here will offer some better advice.

[jamrog mom]

He's eating and drinking just fine. He's a winter white hamster. It doesn't feel hard, doesn't seem to bother him, it's getting bigger which is what worries me. He's less tha a yr old.

[racinghamster]

Hi. This looks to be what vets call a cauliflower ear wart. It`s caused by the Papilloma virus and they usually do grow larger. My short advice is, take him to a vet and if the vet gives the same diagnosis, it will need removing my surgery. Dwarf hamsters can be quite prone to warts but these ear warts will grow and they block the ear canal. They may also feel itchy and irritate. That`s the best advice I can give. See a vet as soon as you can. x

[Leila0420]

If it's grown up within a matter of days and you think it's getting bigger then I agree with racinghamster that a vet trip would be the best idea. TBH racinghamster is like a dwarf pro so I'd recommend taking her advice over mine any day!