Yellow Scabs/Bumps

[Whisky]

Hi all! Hoping you can help with something that's been bugging me.

This is Koosh, light of my life:



He's a Campbell's hamster, somewhere in the neighbourhood of 18 months old. For awhile, probably at least a couple months, he's had what look and feel like little scabs under his fur - but they don't actually seem to be scabs, since they're quite attached to him and they haven't changed at all or gone away. They're yellowish, raised, and not smooth. They're almost like little warts.

There's only been about 3 since I first noticed them. This week, more have suddenly popped up. I can feel about 7 now.

He's eating and drinking normally; he scratches all the time but he's always done that and I think it's part of his grooming routine. He doesn't seem to notice the spots or bother at them. Nothing recently has changed except that he got a Whimzee on the weekend.

I've attached a couple pictures. Before I stress him out with a vet visit, I just wanted to see if anyone else has experienced these, or heard about it, or has any ideas on what these "scabs" could be. I adore Koosh enormously and I'm starting to worry, so any response at all would be welcome! Thanks!

[Pebbles82]

They do look like little warts on the photos, but did you say they are more like scabs? A scab would fall off whereas those look like little lumps that are fairly solid. I have no idea what they are I'm afraid - someone else might. It could be a skin condition I guess - or an allergy (what bedding is he on - they can develop allergy to some bedding materials) - or it could be something more systemic.

Does he seem well in himself? If he does seem well and doesn't have any swelling in his abdomen then hopefully it's nothing too serious. But it might end up meaning a vet visit unfortunately. It could even just be warts which are caused by a virus I think.

Someone more experienced might have a better idea

[cypher]

It's not something I know a lot about but they can get warts so it may be that.
I would take him to a vet & get them to have a look, it really shouldn't be that stressful for him.

[Pebbles82]

If you do take him to a vet, check out the local vet websites and see if they have an exotic vet. I ended up having to have two vet trips as our local vet wasn't that experienced in hamsters.

[cypher]

That's definitely worth doing but not all vets class small animal/rodent specialists as exotic vets, that does seem to be a bit more of a US term or at least more common there but a lot of websites do list each vets area of interest or expertise.

[Whisky]

Thanks! If you guys think they might be warts that's a real relief. He would get warts, he's such a weirdo. I assume they're pretty harmless?

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

They do look like little warts on the photos, but did you say they are more like scabs? A scab would fall off whereas those look like little lumps that are fairly solid. I have no idea what they are I'm afraid - someone else might. It could be a skin condition I guess - or an allergy (what bedding is he on - they can develop allergy to some bedding materials) - or it could be something more systemic.

Does he seem well in himself? If he does seem well and doesn't have any swelling in his abdomen then hopefully it's nothing too serious. But it might end up meaning a vet visit unfortunately. It could even just be warts which are caused by a virus I think.

Someone more experienced might have a better idea

He seems like his normal Koosh self! No swelling in his abdomen. He's on Carefresh currently and has also been on aspen and All Living Things bedding. The bumps are quite solid - he lets me pick at them a bit sometimes and nothing has ever come off.

Fortunately I have several experienced exotics vets in my area. (Former rat mom - you get pretty familiar with all the local rodent vets.) So it shouldn't be too difficult to get an appointment. Heading into a holiday weekend though (Canadian), so it'll probably have to be next week.

[pinkneon]

Hope he is ok.
He is adorable!!