can't figure out if I should be worried :-S

Juliebrei · 01-10-2017, 02:19 PM

these, I think, are Romeos scent glands. they seem abnormally large to me and asymetrical, both in shape and position.

but what really worries me is the scab I found a little further down his back. I couldn't get a picture of it, he kept moving everytime i try to stroke the hairs away.
I have noticed that he seems to be a bit more itchy lately, but only a bit.

As I said, I can't figure out if there is reason for concern.

Drago · 01-10-2017, 02:28 PM

They look like scent glands to me, but you definitely have a point in them being quite large and asymmetrical. What kind of bedding is he on?

Juliebrei · 01-10-2017, 02:39 PM

boxo, paper bedding.

Drago · 01-10-2017, 02:43 PM

Boxo I'm not too familiar with, is it hypoallergenic? I would assume so considering it's paper. Have you checked for something like mites?

Juliebrei · 01-10-2017, 02:46 PM

it's equivalent to fitch I think. I don't think I know hos to check for mites?

Drago · 01-10-2017, 02:53 PM

Likely not the bedding then. I'm not totally sure about mites in hamsters, I've experienced and treated mites in reptiles, but I doubt they're the same. It could also be dry skin, do you notice any flaking of the skin? Mites, from my limited knowledge of them on hams, tend to be tiny, reddish bugs that you may notice crawling around in the bedding or on the hamster. Mites can also cause fur loss.

squeakylittlepaws · 01-10-2017, 03:17 PM

Is there fur loss?
Is it in a round circle?
Does it look dry and flakes?
Is it itchy?
Is it affecting one area only?

If yes to above google ringworm xx

Juliebrei · 01-10-2017, 03:26 PM

maybe a smaall amount of hairloss, no round circle, no flakes, he seems a bit more itchy than usual, only found one scab so far.

Drago · 01-10-2017, 03:31 PM

If no circle or flakes, maybe try checking his bedding for mites. Don't rule out ringworm just yet as nothing's too certain. Another thought is that maybe it's an injury? After the cut heals sometimes it scabs over, and this might be what you're seeing. If you could get more pictures without stressing him out, that would help.

squeakylittlepaws · 01-10-2017, 03:43 PM

P.s treatment would be a nizoral type shampoo - small bowl, lukewarm water and cotton pads to gently bath from neck down. Do check with you vet though as nizoral itself may not be suitable for a hamster. There is an oral treatment but long term side effects can present. Bathing is the better and safest option but is not without its stress. So must be done in calmest quickest manner possible. Followed by a nice warm fluffy towel for drying and playing and a tonne of treats.

You would need to do several repeats of the bathing.

If your in UK, I'd take her to an in-house pets at home vets - because they see this on the shop floor all the time and would be more experienced in giving a treatment plan. Unless you already have a great vet.

Sorry my dear the more I study the pics the more I'm thinking ringworm - especially the middle pic.

It's OK though, full recovery is fast.

Do wash your hands thoroughly after handling though.

P.p.s in humans ringworm is painless I'm hamsters it hits their nerves. Touching it could be very upsetting and hurting him alot - it's the equivalent of having a nerve type pain for us. So if he moves abruptly away when you touch it - that again would indicate ringworm.

If mites - that would present with more redness, hair thinning, rather than total hair loss and would be more widespread as mites move. He would be more likely itchy all over.xx