Hamster sick, fur loss

[jinayg]

About 6 weeks ago our one year old Syrian started losing some of his fur. We suspected a bedding allergy as we had just changed it to a new brand. After two weeks it didn’t improve and another week later I noticed a discharge from his ear so we went to the vet. He was diagnosed with a severe ear infection, though I’m not sure how that resulted in fur loss. The vet said scratching. We treated him for a week with an antibiotic and medicine in his ear and his ear looks much better.

Two weeks later and he has lost even more fur. He’s almost completely bald! He seems a lot perkier after his treatment but not his usual self. He’s eating but not running his his wheel and he walks stiffly. Suggestions? Can I do anything for him to encourage fur regrowth?

Will post pics as soon as he’s up and moving around.

[Pebbles82]

I can't help with the diagnosis of fur loss - it could be a number of things and not necessarily Cushings. Would suggest giving him a daily pinch of brown linseeds though - on a separate dish to his food. They work wonders for fur growth and condition and hamsters seem to really like them and eat them up. Whether it would make fur grow back I have no idea but will help improve his conditon generally.

There's a good article about fur loss in hamsters here

Hamster fur loss

[jinayg]

Thank you! I will have to see where I can buy those locally.

[jinayg]

The photos aren’t great, he didn’t come out until late last night. I used the flash and kept the lights down low because they seem to be bothering him more lately.

In one photo he was actually stumbling trying to get to his water.

[alpacassei]

Definitely go back to the vets!

[Ria P]

This may be a silly question but did you take out the substrate you suspected he may be allergic to?

[jinayg]

Originally Posted by Ria P

This may be a silly question but did you take out the substrate you suspected he may be allergic to?

We did, we used Kaytee brand all white bedding for 10 months and no problems. Then we bought one dyed a bright green and the fur loss started around the same time. We went back to the all white but it hasn’t made a difference.

[jinayg]

Originally Posted by alpacassei

Definitely go back to the vets!

I have to make an appointment after the weekend. Admittedly our vet, while amazing, isn’t an expert on exotics. We have to have a check up to see how he’s improved from his ear infection but I’m going to ask him to help me find an exotics vet as this seems to be out of his experience

[Pebbles82]

I'm sorry - he does look like a very sick hamster from those photos. I would definitely take him back to the vets and/or consider his quality of life. Although he is only a year old, if he is staggering and losing fur then it does seem quite serious. It could be any illness really, or cancer possibly. An exotic vet may help with answers.

[jinayg]

Thanks for all the suggestions, sadly he passed away this morning