Bald spot on Russian dwarf

Desrek · 02-06-2019, 12:45 PM

Hi there, first post.

I need some help with one of my hamsters Ash, she's a Russian dwarf. She's got a bit of a balding area on her back and behind her ears always look wet. I read up on balding with hamsters and apparently if they get wet and can't dry themselves their skin can get irritated and end up bald. Her bottle was leaking so I got her a new one but no improvement yet. She doesn't seem to be in any pain or distress and she's very active.

Here's some pictures, any ideas what could be causing this or what I can do to help?

mangoandmimi · 02-07-2019, 04:16 PM

Your pics aren’t showing for me can you embed them again? Or just link them.
How To Embed Photos

cypher · 02-07-2019, 10:21 PM

It will help to see the photos but I was wondering if there is anything in the cage that she has been rubbing on, anything that may have got rough edges over time or anything with entrance holes that are too small?

alpacassei · 02-07-2019, 11:58 PM

Its hard to tell without photos. It could be mites or she could’ve rubbed against something. Does she have a sandbath? Without a sandbath, some Russians will rub themselves against their toys, cage, or substrate to groom.

As for the ears, it could be anything from an ear infection to just the natural shinyness of their ear fur.

Desrek · 02-08-2019, 03:50 AM

Sorry guys, I am trying to get the photos added but I'm having a bit of trouble and I'm having to wait for my posts to be approved.

Here are the URLs. I gave her a sand bath just after these were taken so her fur does now look a bit better. Obviously still a bald patch there though.

https://ibb.co/93hZmvb
https://ibb.co/r29cbLh
https://ibb.co/QNFm8Hz

Desrek · 02-08-2019, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

It will help to see the photos but I was wondering if there is anything in the cage that she has been rubbing on, anything that may have got rough edges over time or anything with entrance holes that are too small?

She has the same cage and toys as my other two dwarfs and they're fine. I've also not noticed her scratching against anything.

souffle · 02-08-2019, 04:32 AM

How big is her wheel and have you greased the spindle recently? It looks like the area has been rubbed by the wheel spindle and got greasy and the skin does tend to show through the oily areas more. Check that out and also any small entrances that may be catching her neck like tubes or plastic houses which can get a bit rough if nibbled.

Desrek · 02-08-2019, 05:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

How big is her wheel and have you greased the spindle recently? It looks like the area has been rubbed by the wheel spindle and got greasy and the skin does tend to show through the oily areas more. Check that out and also any small entrances that may be catching her neck like tubes or plastic houses which can get a bit rough if nibbled.

Thanks for that. She has one of the "silent" wheels from Pets at Home. I'll get some pictures of that when I'm home later. I'll also check for any scratchy bits of plastic and see if I can find anything.