Russian dwarf hamster fur loss on chest, underarms & tail - Page 2

cypher · 10-26-2015, 08:26 AM

Yogurt drops are junk food for hams basically so I'd avoid them whatever the species tbh, as they only eat a tiny amount of food I do think it's important to make every little bit, including treats of some nutritional benefit.
Eggs are fine now & then too, even nuts are ok just tiny bits & not too often.

**Coconut Latte** · 10-26-2015, 08:49 AM

3 out of the 5 hammies were all up at the same time around noon so they each had a small piece of chicken 4 the 1st time & loved it!

**Coconut Latte** · 10-26-2015, 07:09 PM

Xena after a dust bath...playing around with pictures but haven't mastered the art yet

**Coconut Latte** · 10-26-2015, 07:14 PM

A couple more pics of Xena after dust bath...sorry 4 the duplication haven't figured out how 2 navigate & cancel posts/ pics yet..

cypher · 10-26-2015, 10:52 PM

She looks really cute!

**Coconut Latte** · 10-27-2015, 05:20 AM

This is what her chest looks like unfortunately..doesn't seem 2 affect her quality of life tho.. She also has fur missing around her tail. The fur under both of her arms is pretty much grown back. Do not know what could be causing this but it looks great to what it looked like when she got treated for mange last summer. I'm still concerned about why all her fur isn't growing back? Sometimes it looks red and irritated.. It isn't mites that is causing this so I don't know what it could be. I ruled out allergies too by changing her bedding and food a couple times. She doesn't have diabetes so I have no idea? Just hope she continues to be a happy little hammy?

cypher · 10-27-2015, 07:11 AM

That is quite a lot of fur loss poor girl, it's good that it doesn't seem to be causing her any distress at the moment.
Only a vet can really tell you what the problem is as there are quite a few possibilities.
Is she drinking much or about normal for a ham (which is really very little)?

**Coconut Latte** · 10-27-2015, 07:56 AM

She drinks a little more than the other russians especially in the morning hours but it's not that much different than Chloe who is close 2 the same size as Xena. She's had this problem since I brought her home I'm pretty sure. She used 2 be miserable scratching constantly...it was terrible 4 me 2 see her like that but the vet was playing guessing games & when it became too much money I just started praying instead...know it sounds strange but it worked cause she isn't miserable anymore but I'm still concerned that she isn't completely healthy...if she stays the same she'll be ok or maybe she'll make a full recovery hopefully. Can't afford the expensive tests they would want 2 do. I'm just hoping 4 the best?

cypher · 10-27-2015, 08:19 AM

I think all you can do is keep a close eye on her for any signs that it may be getting worse & feed her the most nutritionally sound diet you can.

**Coconut Latte** · 10-27-2015, 08:45 AM

I'll monitor cause I don't want 2 lose her or cause her 2 suffer. I'll keep a close eye on her appetite. If I see that she is going downhill & not eating I'll take her in again...2 a different vet. But hopefully it won't come 2 that