Urgent Help! Lumps all over my hamster’s body

Duffy · 06-02-2019, 03:10 PM

My Syrian hamster, Duffy (3 years and 2 months, male, around 100g), has lumps over his body. He is also suffering from fur loss which is understandable considering his age. However, every time I touch him, I feel like there are lumps everywhere on his back. I can’t take any pictures because they are on his skin covered by his fur but just imagine there are pimples (not actual pimple but similar in size) right next to each other. Someone suggested that this could be his bone because he is too skinny but those lumps just don’t feel right. He stopped eating hamster muesli or treats because they are too hard for his teeth so I gave him fresh veg, fruits, scrambled eggs, spaghetti and so on. He is also eating less, drinking less and sleeping more. Can someone please tell me what is going on and how to fix it because he just looks sadder everyday. Thank you.

Pebbles82 · 06-02-2019, 04:01 PM

Hello. He is very very old - an incredible age. I would say at his age he is bound to develop some kind of condition. I think whatever it is, it sounds like he may be in his twilight time and getting ready to go to the rainbow bridge. If he is eating and drinking less and sleeping more then he may be getting ready to go. So you need to be brave now and think that he is getting ready to go because it's his time.

If he seems to be suffering or in pain and looking sad then you may need to think about helping him on his way. Can he walk ok to reach food and water? If he is still doing normal hamster things and eating and drinking then he is not quite ready but slowing down. It can be hard to tell if they're in pain as they're prey animals so they hide it well. Often they will sit very hunched up if they're in pain.

So keep an eye on him each day - he may pass in his home peacefully or he may seem to be suffering and then you need to think about helping him on his way.

Duffy · 06-03-2019, 10:00 AM

Hi, he is still doing normal hamster stuff like walking around but is doing them less. I have just taken some photos of the lumps on him because he is losing more fur so I can actually see the lumps. It's just he was still really happy two months ago cause at that time, he still runs around, eat hard food and loves treats. I just don't think his health can deteriorate that quickly. Is there anything I can do to make him feel better? I just need to know what those lumps are because those are definitely not normal. Thanks in advance.

Pebbles82 · 06-03-2019, 10:09 AM

Normally I would suggest taking him to the vet for a diagnosis, but at his age a vet visit would be very stressful and you need to balance that with his age and quality of life. It may be some kind of cancer coming out or other disease - it looks unusual. It is very rare for a hamster to reach the age of three so some illness will get to them and it may not be treatable. Two months ago he was younger

He is the equivalent of about 126 in human years and some very old humans get some strange lumps as well.

If he is slowing down as well and off his food it may be kinder just to keep him comfortable.