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Old 07-13-2019, 12:21 AM   #1
Laylabean
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Join Date: Jul 2019
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Exclamation Rash (?) On dwarf hamster-- urgent!

Hi, I'm new to the community and I have a bit of an issue with my Russian dwarf hamster Hermes (named after the greek god <3).

Yesterday when he was putting his front paws on his cage I noticed (or my mum did at first) that behind his front right leg there is hair loss and it looks red. I don't know if it is because it might just be it's natural pink colour in a dark spot. I also thought for a moment it looked swollen, but then after trying to look at it I think I've just never seen what that part of a hamster looks like without hair.

He is not in any pain at all. I only found it today because he was up in a position where I could see it. He hates being left hanging in the air and so when I took him out to get a better look I just couldnt cause he brings his arms right up to his chest so it's impossible. But I know he is in absolutely no pain, he's not itching it it, scratching it, biting it.

I was worried it could be parasites, or it could be him rubbing on something rougher in the cage. The latter could only be done by one thing in the cage, cause he climbs over it regularly and even things like wood in his cage are smooth. So I've taken that out. The parasite think is a lot harder cause 1) I have no clue how he would get a tick or mite or anything 2) he isnt itching it at all, but from what I've researched that usually comes along with itching. He is in no discomfort, which usually comes hand in hand with mites or other things.

The reason I am so frantic is that I cant just suddenly sanitize his cage like a lot of things say, because about half of his things are wood and I'm a kid (16) so I cant sanitize them myself, and my mum doesnt know how to. Plus I also leave for London for a week tomorrow which just makes it a really badly timed thing to happen

His vet is about 15 minutes away, and it's super expensive, like minimum £50 for a checkup. I don't want to stress him out cause hes a really dumb anxious guy lmao we think he might be partially blind. And I love him to bits he is literally the love of my life, I'm really scared of him taking a turn for the worse. My mum is capable with my hamsters so she can do stuff for him while I'm away but I'm just so panicked. Please help! <3
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Old 07-15-2019, 07:22 AM   #2
Vierville
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Default Re: Rash (?) On dwarf hamster-- urgent!

Hello. I'm sorry to hear about Hermes' problem.

It sounds like it may be mites? Their skin is pink however and I know that on my three, in the places under their chest where their legs meet their body, the fur often parts when they stand up with their front feet on the bars and it is very noticeable.

The treatment for mites involves a series of injections, usually four I believe and takes around a month.

My vet only charged me for the initial consultation and thereafter the price of the injection which was only around £5.00 each time.

My suggestion is to monitor the hair loss...it might just be that you noticed a spot where the fur is parted that you're not familiar with. If it looks like its still there next time you check or it gets worse then maybe take little Hermes to the vet.
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Old 07-15-2019, 10:23 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Rash (?) On dwarf hamster-- urgent!

How old is he? This can be quite normal in an older hamster - they start losing fur and it looks like pink wrinkly skin showing.

I think it would be fine to wait a week and leave him in peace. When you get back I would get a vet appointment to have a checkover and a skin scraping - that will either rule out or confirm mites. Not sure what area you're in but £50 sounds excessive for a general appointment. Have a google of exotic vets in your area. You may need to travel a little bit further but they know a lot more about hamsters and some even specialise in them. I've always found exotic vets reasonably priced.
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Old 07-15-2019, 11:38 AM   #4
Vierville
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Default Re: Rash (?) On dwarf hamster-- urgent!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
How old is he? This can be quite normal in an older hamster - they start losing fur and it looks like pink wrinkly skin showing.

I think it would be fine to wait a week and leave him in peace. When you get back I would get a vet appointment to have a checkover and a skin scraping - that will either rule out or confirm mites. Not sure what area you're in but £50 sounds excessive for a general appointment. Have a google of exotic vets in your area. You may need to travel a little bit further but they know a lot more about hamsters and some even specialise in them. I've always found exotic vets reasonably priced.
I agree completely.
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Old 07-28-2019, 09:01 AM   #5
Laylabean
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Default Re: Rash (?) On dwarf hamster-- urgent!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
How old is he? This can be quite normal in an older hamster - they start losing fur and it looks like pink wrinkly skin showing.

I think it would be fine to wait a week and leave him in peace. When you get back I would get a vet appointment to have a checkover and a skin scraping - that will either rule out or confirm mites. Not sure what area you're in but £50 sounds excessive for a general appointment. Have a google of exotic vets in your area. You may need to travel a little bit further but they know a lot more about hamsters and some even specialise in them. I've always found exotic vets reasonably priced.
Sorry I don't really know how hamster central works so I don't know how to reply. I don't know his age exactly, as I got him from a man who got his daughters a hamster for christmas... surprise, they didn't want him (though I can't imagine why, I love him to pieces). I'd say on average he is coming up to 2 years now. You wouldn't know it from him though, he is as big bright eyed and as quick as when we first got him.

The reason I'm so hesitant to go to a vet, not only cause of the price, but with my family we have had a lot of hamsters, and any hamster we have taken to the vet has died not long after from wettail. It seems a curse, and if Hermes' is ill, but still happy, I'd rather he spend less time on Earth happy, then risk a stressful passing for him.

Thank you for your response <3
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Old 07-28-2019, 09:04 AM   #6
Laylabean
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Default Re: Rash (?) On dwarf hamster-- urgent!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vierville View Post
Hello. I'm sorry to hear about Hermes' problem.

It sounds like it may be mites? Their skin is pink however and I know that on my three, in the places under their chest where their legs meet their body, the fur often parts when they stand up with their front feet on the bars and it is very noticeable.

The treatment for mites involves a series of injections, usually four I believe and takes around a month.

My vet only charged me for the initial consultation and thereafter the price of the injection which was only around £5.00 each time.

My suggestion is to monitor the hair loss...it might just be that you noticed a spot where the fur is parted that you're not familiar with. If it looks like its still there next time you check or it gets worse then maybe take little Hermes to the vet.
When researching about what could be happening the first thing that came up was mites, but it also said there would be scratching and discomfort which Hermes is doing or showing neither.

I hope that it might be a place I've just never seen before, because he is a fluffy guy but it seemed so abnormal. My current main hope is that it is just old age hair loss of some sort. <3
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