Cushings Disease - Scratching

starbug · 03-06-2019, 03:29 PM

Our little Snowy has been diagnosed with Cushings. He’s 16 months old. In the last month or so, he’s lost weight and lost a lot of fur. His skin is very dry and itchy, with black patches (the vet said these are areas of dead skin where it’s been scratched so much).

Snowy is still very active and alert, so we think his quality of life is still good. However, he scratches almost constantly. The vet said I shouldn’t put anything on his skin, but he’s scratching so much that I really want to do something to ease it. I’ve tried putting a few drops of olive oil on the dry areas, which seems to bring relief for a little while. I’m also giving him evening primrose oil every evening, along with a pinch of linseeds.

Is there anything else I could be doing to ease the itching? It’s horrible to see him scratching so much. One of the pinned threads mentions using Sudocreme - is this safe to use? Would it harm him if he licked it? Or should I try something else?

cypher · 03-06-2019, 10:44 PM

I'm sorry to hear that Snowy has Cushing's.
I haven't tried it myself but I have heard of people putting coconut oil onto dry itchy areas of skin so that might help & it would be safe.
Have you seen Cocos post about Cushing's? There might be some info there that could help.
Cushings and Treatment

starbug · 03-07-2019, 12:36 AM

Thanks, Cypher. I did see Coco’s post, but our vet won’t prescribe Vetoryl because it’s for cats and dogs. I’d be happy to try a smaller dose, but it’s only available with a prescription.

Coco61 · 03-07-2019, 11:32 AM

Hi starbug. So very sorry that Snowy has been diagnosed with Cushings.
Glad you read my post. I put in everything I could remember. Any chance you could try and persuade your vet to ring mine to discuss this at a professional level? No harm with them talking to gain knowledge even if your vet is not convinced. The head vet at CJ Hall has an excellent reputation and teaches too. I know the treatment is not licenced for hamsters but they tolerate a diluted dose very well usually. One daily capsule for a dog lasts a hamster for 28 days.

Pebbles82 · 03-07-2019, 04:36 PM

Or try another vet? I am so sorry your hamster has Cushings. I would second trying coconut oil - it's good for just about everything, especially skin, and safe to lick off - tastes nice and probably quite healthy. Also it is not actually oil but more solid and soft like cream. You can get big pots of it on Amazon or in health food shops.

Aloe Vera may be another thing to try as that is especially good for sore skin - and used for sunburn and skin healing. If you can actually get the pure aloe vera gel without additives - I think Holland and Barret sell it. I would try that first - better for healing and soothing. And then Coconut later - more for softening.

I am not sure about Sudocreme personally - it is quite a strong smell (to me anyway so will be strong for a hamster) and not good if licked off.

Aloe vera won't sting on any sore skin - it's very soothing and cooling.

You have to be careful though - I had a look on Amazon and quite a lot of them have other things added or have tea tree oil in. This one sounds ok though

https://www.amazon.co.uk/BEST-AFTER-...era+gel+-+pets

Pebbles82 · 03-07-2019, 04:39 PM

Also have you been given any Metacam for him? Probably not - I was told Metacam was contra indicated with Cushings and makes it worse. But my current vet said there are other pain meds that can be given if Metacam is contra indicated.

I would try and see an exotic vet (assuming your current vet isn't an exotic vet?). Ask to speak to the vet on the phone about pain meds - to save a possible unnecessary further trip to the vet for your hammy.

cypher · 03-07-2019, 11:36 PM

I would be wary of using aloe vera on a hamster tbh, even though it says for pets I think with hams being so tiny any amount could be too much, probably better to stick with coconut oil, it's safe & should help with the itching if that's mainly from the dryness.

Pebbles82 · 03-08-2019, 04:56 AM

Good point. The added ingredients to preserve it probably aren’t good but if you get an aloe Vera plant and just cut a leaf open you can squeeze the liquid/gel out and use a bit of that. Just like veg really. I think if it brings relief then under the circumstances it’s ok ��