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Old 11-11-2018, 09:32 AM   #1
rinn123
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Default Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

Syrian Hamster, almost 1 year old, female.

Last Sunday, symptoms started with a hard skin lump( like a piece of callus) on the side of her right shoulder. Then after few days on Wednesday she broke the lump and it seemed like there was some fluid which came out( made some fur stuck together). Her mouth had a small sore too and her eyes had dried up discharge(reddish brown). At this point she had a wound on her right shoulder and a sore on her mouth and dried up discharge in front of her eyes, and some dandruff looking skin on her back near to her butt.
Brought to vet on Friday, vet suspected insect bite and gave antiseptic and ointment to be applied. I cleaned her cage to ensure no insects were hiding. Used antiseptic and applied ointment on Friday afternoon and Saturday night.
On Saturday night, noticed several new wounds. Her left hind leg was almost naked, her right cheek had a scabbed wound with some hair loss. her left ear had scabby skin with hair loss and her left eye where the discharge was looked like a wound now. Her lower belly seems a little swollen and also hair loss(I'm not sure).
Vet on Sunday morning, vet took a skin sample of her left hind leg. No excessive bacteria was found, she also used black light to check for fungus. Vet prescribed antibiotics and if her condition doesn't improve, she will have to anaesthetize her for biopsy to test if she has skin cancer.


She started to run on wheel slower yesterday and a little less active than usual since yesterday where most of the other symptoms appeared.

Extra notes: I started to take care of her a month ago, as she used to belong to my friend and my friend gave her to me after she returned to her hometown. I don't have access to a specialized exotic vet here. But im currently taking her to a vet who does know about small mammals and does surgery on rabbits. She is a very tame hamster I would say, as she does not bite me and takes the medicine quite easily. I'm also new to hamsters but have done some research on them.
I also had a sand bath in her cage, which she uses as a potty. I removed it today after the vet said that they don't need sand baths, and i researched on them and realized my mistake. Could it be that she is allergic to the sand bath? It is scented and I realize that I shouldn't have bought scented sand.



Sorry as the photos are not really clear. Any advice as to what caused this or what disease is this or anything else are very well appreciated.

Pictures in order:
The wound after being cleaned (after it punctured)

Her left hind leg with significant hair loss.

Her right cheek , scabbed wound hair loss.

Left ear, hair loss dry scabby skin

Sore on right side mouth and belly hair loss and wound on left eye.
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Old 11-12-2018, 09:52 AM   #2
BorisPasha
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

I can't really offer any advice or opinion on what the problem to be I'm afraid but I hope the vet can get to the root of the problem soon.

It could be that she's allergic to the sand, but you definitely don't want to be using scented sand as you said. What sand are you using? What about the bedding that you are using? Have you cleaned her cage with anything scented?
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Old 11-12-2018, 10:13 AM   #3
rinn123
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

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Originally Posted by BorisPasha View Post
I can't really offer any advice or opinion on what the problem to be I'm afraid but I hope the vet can get to the root of the problem soon.

It could be that she's allergic to the sand, but you definitely don't want to be using scented sand as you said. What sand are you using? What about the bedding that you are using? Have you cleaned her cage with anything scented?
I'm not using sand anymore. I was using scented hamster bath sand. I am currently using kitchen towels and shredded kitchen towels where she nests. I cleaned the top area and the outer area of the bin with a paper towel with some dilluted insect spray( not directly sprayed but poured onto the paper towel) that was made with peppermint oil, but that was after her first wound appeared. I was afraid that there were insects getting to her.
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:06 AM   #4
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

What bedding are you using? Have you changed her food or given her any new treats?
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:21 AM   #5
rinn123
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

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Originally Posted by Ponymad2104 View Post
What bedding are you using? Have you changed her food or given her any new treats?
I'm currently using paper towels. Her previous bedding was something like carefresh but a different brand. I changed her food almost half a month ago because her old food started to have grain bugs in them. I have given her basil recently( since last week) but she doesnt eat them and also some tiny pieces of coral lettuce which she does eat.
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:32 AM   #6
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

I would avoid any insect sprays even those with essentialmoils as they can be extremely strong for hamsters.

Best of luck at the vets. She is a lovely looking hamster.
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Old 11-12-2018, 12:21 PM   #7
rinn123
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

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Originally Posted by flowerfairy View Post
I would avoid any insect sprays even those with essentialmoils as they can be extremely strong for hamsters.

Best of luck at the vets. She is a lovely looking hamster.
I see! Thank you very much.
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Old 11-12-2018, 02:56 PM   #8
Ponymad2104
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

I would be tempted to switch back to her old food in case it's a food allergy.

What was she fed? And what are you feeding her now?
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Old 11-12-2018, 08:33 PM   #9
rinn123
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

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Originally Posted by Ponymad2104 View Post
I would be tempted to switch back to her old food in case it's a food allergy.

What was she fed? And what are you feeding her now?
What are they usually allergic to? She was having cunipic and versele laga. Now shes having a seed and grain mix i bought from a person who makes seed mixes and some oxbow blocks.
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Old 11-12-2018, 11:12 PM   #10
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Default Re: Syrian hamster losing hair and scabs and wounds appearing everywhere.

Do you know the nutritional value of the mix you are buying now? It's important to know they are getting the right amount of protein, fibre, fat & essential vitamins so if you're unsure it may be better to use a commercial mix, if you're able to get a good one. The ones you were using aren't really very good the cunipic is low in protein & doesn't have a good variety of ingredients nor it versele laga very good really, if you get a better mix for her that would be better as it's possible she may be deficient in some nutrients, while that may not be the cause it will impact on her being able to heal well.
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