Ringworm?

[jrv4babies]

Hi all, I just got this guy yesterday (Syrian--black bear). His name is Daisy (not sure previous owner realized he is a boy but seems pretty clear to me hahaha). They said he is 1.5 not sure how accurate that is or isn't.

I had a friend who is a vet take a look at him, she thought he had ringworm. Although she is a vet, doesn't really mean she knows about hamsters...

As I have checked out others like him more and more, I have become less convinced he has ringworm. He does have bare spots on his face.

Here he is! (first attachment called "Daisy")

I saw another on craigslist today (second attachment)

And i also checked out babies of the same type at the pet store today. (third attachment)

Seems to me that they all have some bare spots around the snout.

Lastly, I was concerned about his butt. It seems very...elongated...to me. Seems to impede him running. Haven't taken a pic. However he is pooping and it is solid. I was worrying about it a bit but then I saw this video...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C97xPrfutbA

His shape looks just like the one in this video on the backend.

Is this just normal for his type?

Thank you!

[jrv4babies]

Here is one more pic of him that shows the bare spots well

[jrv4babies]

Ugh, I HATE trying to post pics on forums. If anyone has tips, I appreciate it. I'm sure it is covered somewhere else, I'll go looking...

[Nancy's Hamsters]

If your new guy is 1.5 years old he is and older gentleman and is probaly just thin furred from age. One of the faults in Hamster shows both NHC and CHA is sparse fur on face and belly. Not to say your Vet friend is wrong but I am fairly sure from your posted photos that he is just thin furred because of his age.

BTW that Craigslist Hamster looks satin which will cause the fur around the eyes to seem thin .

His rear end is just him being a man ham and again older ham. The elongated appearance is from his Man bits which hang a bit low and long if you see what I mean

[racinghamster]

Hi jrv. Daisy looks to be having some hair loss which could be due to lack of vitamins from a poor diet, normal ageing or changes they go through as they grow older which can result in hair thinning and patchy fur. That`s not to say he isn`t healthy or it`s a sign that something is wrong. Not knowing the full history of his life, what he`s been fed, if he`s had allergies to anything or the wear and tear the body generally goes through.

Ringworm causes patches of scaly skin that look like circles. It`s contagious and more often than not, the owner ends up catching it! I caught it from a mouse I had. But it`s cleared up by cream prescribed by a Doctor applied daily so it`s not a condition that`s worrying unless you have a dodgy immune system.

Keep things simple. I see he`s nibbling on some greens? That`s good because you can`t give them anything better that is full of `good` nutrients and vitamins.

If his fur becomes very itchy or scaly, I would advise seeing a better small animal vet for a proper diagnosis but thinning or patchy fur without constant scratching is usually a progression into older age. Not all hamsters will get this but many do. If Daisy does have a skin condition that needs treating then only a vet can advise. x

[jrv4babies]

Thank you, I appreciate the responses. He is the sweetest thing. Hopefully he will live out a good rest of his life with us and we will be ringworm free. I am going to guess his diet has not been awesome and has consisted of pet store food only. I will work on that!

[racinghamster]

That`s the best way forward really and make sure he gets his small amount of raw veggies either daily or every few days to get the best fresh vitamins into his diet. Low stress meaning, spot cleans only and always retain his nesting material and only refresh what`s necessary. x