Fur loss - symptom of aging?

Quicksilver · 04-13-2017, 03:18 PM

Hello ! Not posted in ages but like to read the posts on HC often

Just wanted some advice with regards to fur loss and aging. Ralph our syrian is 20 months old. He's had mites in the past which was treated by the vet. His fur grew back nicely-however the last couple of months he is lost quite a bit of fur around his back legs and his fur looks thinner in places and his skin looks possibly dry to me. Ralph scratches at times and likes to groom himself. He has a good appetite, is active and loves getting fuss and coming out for playtime and is bright eyed.

Is it common for male syrians in particular to start to have fur loss after a certain age? Could it be a nutritional thing? We make sure he eats a healthy varied diet. The last time he saw the vet for mites he said he was a sturdy little fella and was in good health/weight.

My gut feeling is its possibly signs of aging but as a first time hamster owner I don't have the knowledge / experience to know for sure. If he needs a check up at the vets I'll take him.

Thanks and Happy Easter !

JLPrairie · 04-13-2017, 03:23 PM

20 months is quite old for a hamster., so it very well likely could be age. I never owned a Syrian educated, so Im just popping that in there.

Drago · 04-13-2017, 03:45 PM

Fur loss and spotting is totally normal in older hamsters, especially males. However, if a lot of hair has been lost suddenly, it may be another underlying issue. A picture could help you're able to get one

cypher · 04-13-2017, 10:44 PM

Some fur loss is normal with age but it is usually gradual, if he's lost a fair bit quite quickly then there may be more to it.
Is he drinking & peeing more? It is possible given the area he's lost his fur it could be the beginnings of Cushing's but there is usually a marked change in drinking too.
As Drago said a photo would help.

Quicksilver · 04-16-2017, 12:30 PM

Hi -thank you for all your feedback. Ralph hasn't lost fur suddenly its been gradual, and he hasn't been drinking or peeling more from what I can tell from observation and checking his cage daily from spot cleaning. I tend to think it's one of his signs of getting older. If I can get a photo when he sits still

will post this. If anything changes / behaviour I'll get him checked by the vet. Thanks again.

Pebbles82 · 04-16-2017, 12:51 PM

Charlie was about 2 when I started noticing fur thinning - it was on top of his head. By two and a half he was losing a bit on his back and his legs. One vet thought he "might" have Cushings by then, but there are other symptoms that go with Cushings and fur loss is a sign of old age as well.

Do you have a really good vet who specialises in exotics? It can be hard to diagnose some of these things. If he seems happy enough and eating well then he is a good age, and you could just monitor things a bit more. If it is Cushings I don't think they treat it at that age (and it's hard to find vets to diagnose fully and treat it too). If you think it could be mites again it might be worth a vet trip but vet trips stress them as well. I would observe him for a bit. 20 months is quite old for a hammy

AprilPearl · 04-16-2017, 01:00 PM

This happened to my first hamster when he was around the same age. He had pretty extensive hair loss on his head, back and legs. The vet said it was due to old age, and reccommended giving him a drop of cod liver oil daily. Every day, I fed him a drop on one of his treats. In under two weeks, his fur had started to grow back nicely. It eventually reached its previous length and thickness. He went on to live until the age of 2 years old.

Quicksilver · 04-16-2017, 02:04 PM

Thanks AprilPearl and Serendipity7000 for your advice. The cod liver oil daily we could try. I don't think the vets specialize in exotics as Ralph was a novelty as they hardly ever see rodents, however the receptionist had a lot of knowledge on rodents and gave useful advice and loved meeting him. For our area they are a good practice but mainly treat cats/ dogs. I'm going to keep an eye on him for now but if I have any doubt will get him checked by the vet.
For 20 months he is doing well for his twilight years.

cypher · 04-16-2017, 11:20 PM

I really wouldn't recommend using cod liver oil, it's far too high in the fat soluble vitamins which the body can't excrete if it has excessive amounts so this can be harmful.
The best supplements for fur loss are a pinch of flax seeds & a drop of evening primrose oil daily, the oil can be put onto food but most like it enough to take it from a spoon too, you can also give some nutritional yeast, all of these are both safe & effective used together.

Pebbles82 · 04-16-2017, 11:26 PM

Cypher's advice is good. I used the evening primrose oil. Charlie wouldn't eat the flax seeds

I put one drop of the evening primrose oil on his food. He did seem to like it as also licked it from a teaspoon, but I stuck with putting it on the food as he got fed up of the teaspoon appearing.

So I guess that refers to your question about nutrition. The diet he has is probably fine, but supplementing can be good at their age. Charlie's raison d'etre to the end was his little piece of veg every day.