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Old 07-11-2019, 02:31 PM   #1
Junior03
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Default Hamster Swollen Area

Hello all,

I am new to this forum and I would appreciate any feed back on this current issue.

I have 2 dwarf hamsters, both live in same cage, both Male. These 2 were given to my kids as gifts, both bought from PetsMart. We have had for about 6 months now. We clean their cage, 2-3 times a week, change water 1-2 days, feed once a day with each getting a yogurt treat. PetsMart didn't give any information other than 1 was older than the other maybe by a year if I remember correctly.

Yesterday as i was cleaning and feeding cage, I noticed Thumper(hamster) looks to be swollen. I've never had a hamster as a pet, so I have no idea what could cause or reason for. Thumper seems swollen on his back end, I honestly cant tell if its his rear end or possible private area. I also noticed that higher on the rear end, Thumpers skin seems to be dried out and almost scabbing.

I have seen both hamsters fight, but it is only soft wrestling and rolling around. I have never seen one bite the other or possible claw the other. I dont have anything in cage ruff enough, just the white padding they sleep in and bottom shredding.

Has anybody had this issue or possible seen this before? Compared to yesterday, Thumper is not as red or as swollen. The scab area looks same. Please see attached photos. Any information would be helpful, please and thank you.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 20190711_162821.jpg (1.94 MB, 14 views)
File Type: jpg 20190711_162806.jpg (1.48 MB, 12 views)
File Type: jpg 20190711_162742.jpg (3.15 MB, 10 views)
File Type: jpg 20190711_162703.jpg (2.27 MB, 9 views)
File Type: jpg 20190711_160006.jpg (4.03 MB, 12 views)
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Old 07-11-2019, 03:44 PM   #2
souffle
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

These look like bite marks and they are very likely fighting. They are quite nasty and the typical place for the bite is in the genital areas. Sadly the cage is also too small for one hamster never mind two I'm afraid. You probably don't see them fight as they are likely to do it during the night. It's not a natural situation for two mature males to live together and they often fight
I'd separate them and watch the bites carefully for signs of infection. If you feel at all worried see the vets. A large storage bin each kitted out would make a lovely home for each one at little cost. Don't clean them out so much as it makes them lose their scent and they don't like that.
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Old 07-11-2019, 03:53 PM   #3
Junior03
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

Quote:
Originally Posted by souffle View Post
These look like bite marks and they are very likely fighting. They are quite nasty and the typical place for the bite is in the genital areas. Sadly the cage is also too small for one hamster never mind two I'm afraid. You probably don't see them fight as they are likely to do it during the night. It's not a natural situation for two mature males to live together and they often fight
I'd separate them and watch the bites carefully for signs of infection. If you feel at all worried see the vets. A large storage bin each kitted out would make a lovely home for each one at little cost. Don't clean them out so much as it makes them lose their scent and they don't like that.
Wow, I wish Petsmart would have given such details. So two homes would be better, I woulda never guessed they fight like that. Them being all snuggled together when they sleep. So how often should we clean cage in order to keep with their natural scent?
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Old 07-11-2019, 03:56 PM   #4
Junior03
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

Quote:
Originally Posted by souffle View Post
These look like bite marks and they are very likely fighting. They are quite nasty and the typical place for the bite is in the genital areas. Sadly the cage is also too small for one hamster never mind two I'm afraid. You probably don't see them fight as they are likely to do it during the night. It's not a natural situation for two mature males to live together and they often fight
I'd separate them and watch the bites carefully for signs of infection. If you feel at all worried see the vets. A large storage bin each kitted out would make a lovely home for each one at little cost. Don't clean them out so much as it makes them lose their scent and they don't like that.

Also, what size cage should I be looking for their size?
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Old 07-12-2019, 06:09 AM   #5
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

Spot clean wet areas every few days but the main cage with deep substrate may only need a full clean every 6 weeks or so. This would apply for a really big cage with nice deep litter so they can burrow. Take a look at the housing board and maybe ask members there - it is harder to get decent sized cages in the USA however you should manage it for dwarf hammies. Making a bin cage is quite easy and there are lots of online tutorials on that. Scatter feed them (no bowls) and don't let them have small enclosed areas they can fight over as territory. Give them as deep litter as you can so they can burrow away from each other and they really need two of everything if you want to keep them together. One can also bully another and hog the food - is one smaller? http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/housing/
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Old 07-12-2019, 12:33 PM   #6
Junior03
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

Quote:
Originally Posted by souffle View Post
Spot clean wet areas every few days but the main cage with deep substrate may only need a full clean every 6 weeks or so. This would apply for a really big cage with nice deep litter so they can burrow. Take a look at the housing board and maybe ask members there - it is harder to get decent sized cages in the USA however you should manage it for dwarf hammies. Making a bin cage is quite easy and there are lots of online tutorials on that. Scatter feed them (no bowls) and don't let them have small enclosed areas they can fight over as territory. Give them as deep litter as you can so they can burrow away from each other and they really need two of everything if you want to keep them together. One can also bully another and hog the food - is one smaller? http://www.hamstercentral.com/community/housing/
Yes one is smaller, which is the one beat up right now. I was checking out the housing pages to get ideas. So I kinda now have a idea of what your meaning. How deep should I be looking to make for them to create borrows?
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Old 07-12-2019, 02:15 PM   #7
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

Definitely looks like fighting, does happen when they mature, especially if there are not littermates.
I aim for at least double the hamster's hight, 6 inches or so, deeper the better.
Bin cages or tanks are better as is prevents bar chewing.
Once there separate the smaller one should gain some weight and be happier.

Also, yoghurt treats and fruit aren't good for dwarf hamsters, they're prone to diabetes.
Fresh veggies are great for regular treats.
Ask away if you have any more questions on this forum.
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Old 07-12-2019, 08:22 PM   #8
Junior03
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

Quote:
Originally Posted by PurpleKat View Post
Definitely looks like fighting, does happen when they mature, especially if there are not littermates.
I aim for at least double the hamster's hight, 6 inches or so, deeper the better.
Bin cages or tanks are better as is prevents bar chewing.
Once there separate the smaller one should gain some weight and be happier.

Also, yoghurt treats and fruit aren't good for dwarf hamsters, they're prone to diabetes.
Fresh veggies are great for regular treats.
Ask away if you have any more questions on this forum.

Yes please, I'm learning so much. Im a animal lover so I definitely want them in the best conditions. I have noticed they chew on the bars, they climb too never seen that. I have been reading on the homes. So I'm getting ideas to make a bigger home. So for treats, fresh veggies? So maybe like carrots, cabbage, stuff like that?
I also been reading alot on here about sand pits? Is that something my hammies would need or that's not for dwarfs?
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Old 07-12-2019, 11:52 PM   #9
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

Stick with the less sweet veggies (carrots are quite sweet) we give them things like brocolli, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, kale, cooked pasta, cooked rice are all ok. As a treat ours LOVE the millet sprays you get for birds. Give about a third of one and they enjoy stripping off the seeds.
Sand baths we use a ceramic lasagne dish and baked childrens play sand in ours. Dwarf hams enjoy those more than Syrians actually. They will bar chew often because cage is too small. You sound like you are doing your best for them.
Often changes will make them fight more if you were still keeping them together so watch for that. Place the food in separate areas and bury some so the bully can't be in every area at once and the small one gets a chance to eat.
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Old 07-13-2019, 06:53 PM   #10
Junior03
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Default Re: Hamster Swollen Area

I appreciate everybody's information on what yall have provided. As a quick solution, I put together a quick home for Thumper. I want to put more shredding to allow of a deeper dig for him. Till than I bunched more up together on corner to make a hill. I would like to make bigger or add more. He seems to be running around n playing in sand and wheel, so I'm take that as he is ok to adjusting?
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File Type: jpg 20190713_204322.jpg (4.19 MB, 5 views)
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cage, swollen, area, end, yesterday, petsmart, thumper, information, noticed, hamster, rear, feed, hamsters, issue, back, honestly, scabbing, thumpers, fight, private, skin, higher, dried, ruff, compared

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