Syrian hamster fur loss

[Cmerza]

Nacho is 1 year and 3 months since I bought her and probably no older than 1 year and 7 months.

My Syrian hamster, Nacho, is losing fur. Her fur loss is near scen gland or hip and it was noticed on February 7th. It was thinning at first. I've attached the image of her thinned fur. At the beginning of the month her bedding and food ran out so we got more of the same Kaytee Clean and Cozy but we switched foods from Wild Harvest to All Living Things. I thought maybe the bedding was irritating her so we switched to Kaytee's Natural brown bedding. Since January I have been mixing in my own homemade food to her commercial food which is seeds, nuts, pays, and grains intended for human consumption (purchased at Whole Foods and Walmart Grocery Store). I have completely stopped giving her homemade stuff in fear I am giving her something she's allergic to.

Nacho has been to the vet two days ago and was given oral Tramadol a pain reliver in case she has a tumor which the vet wasn't confident if she felt to be given twice a day as well as Revolution topical once every 14 days in case it's mites. Nacho is due back in two weeks for a recheck which is when the 2'd dose of Revolution will be given.


The vet didn't feel it was necessary to do a skin scrape and she didn't think it was mites or fungus or bacteria or an allergic reaction like I suggested but rather something endocrine and hormone related like cancer. Do you guys think it's Cushings? Her hair loss has continued but in the same spot. She seems itchy because she is scratching. Her eye has been stuck shut in the morning when I give the medicine lately. Any thoughts?

[Drago]

Is hair loss and itching the only symptoms she has? Cushing's disease tends to have other symptoms accompanying those like increased water consumption and urination (often all over and in unusual places). The best thing you could do is have your vet take a urine sample to decide whether or not it really is cushings. I'd also recommend switching her over to hazel/Harry hamster as this is the most nutritionally complete food that you could offer her, though you'd probably need to supplement for protein a bit. Keep us updated on how she's doing

[Cmerza]

So do you think I may be dealing with an allergy or something? I can buy Oxbow hamster and mix it with her current food but I am worried that it was the food switching that brought her to lose fur. I always freeze the food before I give it to her and I leave it in the fridge after two days. Could it be mites? Nacho is losing fur now in between her shoulder blades. Is it possible that this is Cushings but in the early stages? Her vet thinks it may be cancer with some reproductive organs but isn't sure either way.

[cypher]

It doesn't sound like Cushings unless she does have the other symptoms Drago mentioned, I agree a good mix like Harry Hamster would be beneficial generally, I don't know how much research you've may have done into making your own mix but it may be she's been lacking something. I wouldn't give any additional protein at her age if you get her Harry Hamster as she doesn't need it at her age & it puts a strain on the kidneys.
Are you sure she hasn't just been rubbing that area against something?