Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Hamster Healthcare

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-04-2017, 12:29 PM   #1
AprilPearl
Hamster Hugger
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 2,327
Unhappy Bald behind ear

Mushu has always had exceptionally thin fur, despite its long length, on his face, head and neck area - to the extent that you can often see his skin through it. He has also always had a bald patch behind each ear. I don't know if this is normal for a satin, or a result of bad breeding by Pets @ Home.

On Monday, I noticed that the bald patch behind one of his ears has suddenly got bigger - this is particularly noticeable when the hair around his ear is parted (as in the below photos).

The skin isn't at all dry or red. It is the exact same shade as his other skin. There are no little black spots or dandruff. He seems healthy in all other ways. But, Mushu is only 18 weeks old, so this can't be due to old age. Mushu is on back2nature paper pellet substrate with toilet paper as bedding, neither of which ought to cause issues, and has been for weeks with no problems, so I don't think he is allergic to either of those. He already gets flaxseeds and I am considering giving him evening primrose oil, as I know it is good for fur.

Mushu did recently have a tangle behind one ear (can't remember if it was the same one now) and in my efforts to get it out, I know some hair came out. I am wondering if that could be what caused this.

I don't want to upset him by taking him to the vets unnecessarily, so I am currently planning to keep an eye on it and take him if he starts acting out of sorts or if it gets bigger. Is that ok?




Last edited by AprilPearl; 06-04-2017 at 02:07 PM.
AprilPearl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2017, 12:33 PM   #2
Drago
The Hamtologist
 
Drago's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southern United States
Posts: 2,855
Default Re: Bald behind ear

Sometimes the hair thins on hamsters at various times for various reasons. How much protein is he getting in his diet? Too much or too little can lead to hair loss. It's possible that it could be due to poor breeding as well. I'd keep an eye on it and if it seems to worsen or he seems to do poorly, then I'd consider consulting your vet

Edit: I just wanted to add that Duncan has the same spot near his ears come to think of it. Although Duncan has always had coat issues..
__________________
Syrian hamster care guide
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing
Drago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2017, 12:36 PM   #3
AprilPearl
Hamster Hugger
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: Bald behind ear

Thanks Drago. He is on Harry Hamster. In addition to that, he gets a piece of dried chicken every few days. Plus, he occasionally gets some sunflower or pumpkin seeds as treats. He also gets some boiled or scrambled egg every now and then, or some fresh chicken.
AprilPearl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2017, 12:38 PM   #4
Drago
The Hamtologist
 
Drago's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: Southern United States
Posts: 2,855
Default Re: Bald behind ear

Quote:
Originally Posted by AprilPearl View Post
Thanks Drago. He is on Harry Hamster. In addition to that, he gets a piece of dried chicken every few days. Plus, he occasionally gets some sunflower or pumpkin seeds as treats. He also gets some boiled or scrambled egg every now and then, or some fresh chicken.
He should have a good amount of protein then. In my opinion, I'd just keep an eye on it. It is most likely nothing and will simply fill in with time
__________________
Syrian hamster care guide
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1...it?usp=sharing
Drago is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2017, 12:41 PM   #5
AprilPearl
Hamster Hugger
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: Bald behind ear

Quote:
Originally Posted by Drago View Post
He should have a good amount of protein then. In my opinion, I'd just keep an eye on it. It is most likely nothing and will simply fill in with time
Thanks will do. Hopefully it is fine.
AprilPearl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2017, 03:09 PM   #6
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Bald behind ear

I think it's reasonably normal. I remember worrying when I could see skin behind Charlie's ears and the fur got a bit thinner and he was less than a year old. I think we just notice it more behind their ears. You could give him some supplements to help his fur maybe. I think Cypher recommends flax seeds - if he'll eat them
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2017, 06:36 PM   #7
Crystalroborovski
Senior Hamster
 
Crystalroborovski's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: USA
Posts: 437
Default Re: Bald behind ear

As the others are saying it's not much to worry about

Key Lime had a small bald patch behind his left ear a couple of weeks ago. It's grown back though.
__________________

❤️Mommy to Key Lime and Tangerine, my two fur babies❤️
Crystalroborovski is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2017, 10:57 PM   #8
AprilPearl
Hamster Hugger
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: Bald behind ear

Thanks Serendipity. Mushu already gets flaxseeds daily and loves them, but I may also try him with primrose oil.

Crystalroborovski I am glad to hear that! Hopefully Mushu’s will too.
AprilPearl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2017, 10:07 AM   #9
dreamtree1234
The Cuddler of Cuteness
 
dreamtree1234's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: United States
Posts: 3,278
Default Re: Bald behind ear

AprilPear, I don't think that there is anything to worry about. It seems to be a quite common thing among hammies. As long as his diet is well rounded and he is getting enough protein (which it appears that he does), then all should be fine.
__________________

"...she fell into a deep sleep, and dreamed the dreams of the dreamtree." ~Stephen Cosgrove
Mum to Duchess. Fur Angels Eros007, Arwen, Hinata & Snickers 4Ever.
dreamtree1234 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-05-2017, 10:09 AM   #10
AprilPearl
Hamster Hugger
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: Bald behind ear

dreamtree thank you it’s always good to check and comforting to be told not to panic! All the same, will be keeping a close eye on it.
AprilPearl is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
mushu, ear, skin, bald, paper, weeks, bigger, fur, patch, sorts, flaxseeds, starts, allergic, acting, giving, bedding, toilet, eye, problems, issues, evening, hair, unnecessarily, vets, wondering

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 08:32 AM.