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Old 05-15-2016, 11:05 AM   #1
Oscarsmum
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Default Bald patch - why??

Just discovered a bald patch on Oscar's back sort of between his shoulders, maybe a bit further down. It doesn't notice that much unless you brush his hairs and then you can see it.
What could this be??
Have posted some pics. Sorry they are a bit blurry.
Am a bit worried so any advice would be welcome!
Thanks
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Old 05-15-2016, 11:33 AM   #2
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

Could either be a rough bit on the underside of a toy he can crawl under, or possibly mites? Although mites tend to show an overall moth eaten look around the face and behind the head. Does he like to crawl under his wheel? As they get older the hair gets a bit more fragile so perhaps he's just rubbed it on something?
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Old 05-15-2016, 11:38 AM   #3
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

Is he scratching more than usual? If so he would need to go to the vet for mite treatment. I'd take him to the vet anyway as he might have some other health issue causing the fur loss. Sometimes hamsters lose hair with age, but that's a lot in one specific area, how old is he?
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Old 05-16-2016, 03:05 AM   #4
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

No, he doesn't seem to be scratching more than usual really. He has been rubbing himself a lot on cardboard boxes lately as we made him a play pen thing out of a large cardboard box with smaller boxes, kitchen roll etc. inside, for him to have fun in when he's out of his cage. But when he's in there he seems to spend a lot of time rubbing his scent on the new things...could it maybe just have come from that?

He's only around 8 months old, so I wouldn't think it could come from old age?

About mites: how do they get mites if they have not been in contact with any other animals? Could there be mites in the Fitch paper bedding?? Thats the only thing we use in his cage apart from sand and strips of toilet paper...
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Old 05-16-2016, 03:24 AM   #5
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

Looks to me like he rubbed it on something but I am not a vet. Scent marking wouldn't do that I don't think unless there was a protrusion somewhere? If it appeared with the play pen have a good watch of him in there.
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Old 05-16-2016, 04:10 AM   #6
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

Mites can be in the bedding, so its a possibility. If you get a spot on for him the best one is beaphar from P@H, avoid anything by Bob Martin.

One of my young males recently had a UTI and then he got a bald patch in the same place as your hammy. After a vet visit we came to the conclusion that it was stress related as he had been poorly with a UTI, his hair is now growing back nicely with no intervention from me.

It might not be the same for your boy but its another explanation for you to look at.
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Old 05-16-2016, 04:36 AM   #7
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

Small rodents carry a small burden of mites at any one time but they are not usually a problem unless there is a health or stress issue. You hamster would be scratching constantly if it were mites but you can get an ivermectin treatment for that without seeing your vet.

I'd say it was him rubbing on the cardboard personally, especially with the absence of any other issue.
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Old 05-16-2016, 05:30 AM   #8
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

Looks much more like rubbing against something than mites to me, mites usually start to show around the eyes & ears (sometimes without much scratching) & are normally a result of stress unless you use something like hay or other plant material which can introduce mites all of which seems unlikely so I'd try to figure out where he's rubbing himself against something.
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Old 05-16-2016, 03:51 PM   #9
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

Thanks all. I dont think it seems like mites either as he's not scratching a lot and doesnt have anything unusual around eyes/ears/nose.
I will have to watch him more csrefully over the next few days to see if he's rubbing himself on something particular.

Would you guys take him to see a vet in any case or just wait and see? He doesnt seem to have any other symptoms, eats, drinks and poops like normal, etc.

Pewmouse: what are the symptoms of a UTI if I need to look out for that??
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Old 05-16-2016, 05:13 PM   #10
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Default Re: Bald patch - why??

But I'm not sure if this fur loss was gradual or just noticed it overnight or on a health check up?

Is there rough edges on the cardboard that he could be tunneling under constantly?

If it showed up out of the blue & there wasn't any changes to his cage then I'd take him in for an exam.

Hopefully the vet finds him healthy, then you would have peace of mind

Be sure to take him to an exotic vet tho or you would be wasting time & money. In my experience you'll get the advice you need from a specialist.
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