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Old 02-13-2020, 08:26 PM   #1
Ami
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Default Extreme hair loss.pls help

My Syria n hamster Rambo 1.5 yes old is suffering from extreme hair loss.it started around the scent glands on both sides and spread rapidly.now the entire hind legs and belly are completely hairless and the skin is visible.its gradually spreading to mech and head too...I live in India and there is no vets specialised for hamsters here.but I did take him to a general vet who gave an antifungal cream and some multivitamins..they seem to be helpless when it comes to hamsters and the only medicine available are for dogs and cats which has to be extremely diluted and fed to hamsters.i don't think there's any hope in vets here and so I'm turning to u guys for help in figuring out what it is.the skin now visible is normal pink and neither dry nor flaky..there are very tiny spots around the scent gland.im attaching a picture of my Rambo while sleeping.he is perfectly healthy and acting as usual but it's heart wrenching to see all his hair gone like this what should I do?why is this happening?is it because of any other health issue or parasites?pls pls help.any suggestion is welcome.i cannot find any similar condition anywhere on the internet.pls help.
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Last edited by souffle; 02-14-2020 at 02:07 AM.
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Old 02-14-2020, 02:17 AM   #2
souffle
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

This looks like Cushing's disease. The skin does look healthy and not itchy so it sounds as if he is comfortable for now. It's not really treatable in hamsters.
You do get hamsters who have no fur and they just require some extra care in lots of soft bedding, no rough toys to damage the skin and keeping warm. They tend to eat extra food as well so keep him well topped up. I would handle as normal if he is willing and try and think of him as just the same hammy with a coat off
There are some articles in the forum on Cushings disease.
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Old 02-14-2020, 06:33 PM   #3
Ami
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

Thankyou so much for answering...i do think that might be the case..i was thinking it would just be mites because of the tiny black dots all over and around his scent gland. I did not know about cushing's disease and upon checking the symptoms i do notice that he is drinking plenty more water than usual..I have changed his bedding to tissue paper and removed all hard toys for now.Even disinfected his entire cage and started off with the witch hazel remedy thinking it would be mites.Thank you so much for answering and letting me know about this rare disease..Are u sure there's nothing i can do to cure him?i hope he's not in any sort of pain.as for the fur,my baby is adorable even without his fur.
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Old 02-16-2020, 09:17 AM   #4
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

Ami, I have answered your question in your post on my Cushings and treatment thread.
I hope you can help your little one.
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Old 02-16-2020, 02:28 PM   #5
Ami
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

Thank you Coco..thank you so much.
Did u check the picture I uploaded in this original post.what do u think?I know it's difficult to diagnose through a picture.but still it's worth a shot.could it be just mange and not Cushing's?
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Old 02-16-2020, 05:17 PM   #6
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

It is possible the fur loss could be caused by something else. The article below has a lot of info about hamsters and fur loss. 1.5 years isn't quite old age though. There are some completely bald hamsters who still live out their lives. I was told by a vet that they suspect Cushings when they have other symptoms like a swollen belly as well as hair loss and they tend to get sores as well, so I would keep optimistic and hope your hammy keeps well. Is he doing normal hamstery things and seeming happy in himself? What is the weather like in India at the moment, as yes they can moult in hot weather and have large bald patches - although your hamster has a bit more than just bald patches. It wouldn't do any harm to supplement the diet with a pinch of linseeds daily - give them separately in a separate dish or just loose on a house roof or platform eg. They seem to like them and eat them up. They work wonders for making coats thicker and glossier and good for skin as well. We have a rescue hammy who had bald patches and he now has a lovely thick coat after daily linseeds. It's a more natural way of providing some vitamins and essential oils. Also hemp seeds are chock full of vitamins and minerals so you could give a pinch of those daily as well (they won't make much difference to skin and fur like Linseeds but will help ensure he has enough vitamins and boost the immune system).

Hamster fur loss
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Old 02-17-2020, 07:52 AM   #7
Ami
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

Thank you so much serendipity..no he does not have a pot belly or any bad symptoms.the only change is he's drinking plenty more water than usual.bt that could also be the weather.it is extremely hot now in India..I put the AC on all the time still it's quite unbearable even for humans.i think the major problem could be heat..and Rambo is now not as active as he used to be as a baby.when I got him he was so hyper active that he used to run on the wheel for hours and hours at a time hence I named him Rambo..now he doesn't run on the wheel and sleeps a little more but when I let him out he's back being all active and climbs all over me running and playing happily.
Yesterday I stopped applying the antifungal cream the local vet gave,just for a day to check any difference,I did notice little bit of flaky dandruff like skin on parts where he still has some fur.like the neck..so it could be mange and I took him to the local vet although she's not specialised in exotic she seems to know the basics.she said it is mange although they don't take skin samples here for diagnosis. she started taking weekly injection for mange and my hammy seems fine and comfortable wth it..as mage will take time to fully cure,I'm waiting patiently to see any results.until then love and care for him full time.i even took long leave from my work and started working from home cus I can't miss him that long..I'm presently giving him flax seed which he loves.is it the same as linseed?if it's is he loves it and I'll make sure I giv t to him daily..I'll also try to get hemp seeds ..anything natural is what he needs now the most..once again thanks a bunch for talking wth me..there is absolutely no hamster lovers near my area and I was feeling a bit left out.thankyou guys..I'll keep updating

Last edited by Ami; 02-17-2020 at 08:05 AM.
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Old 02-17-2020, 08:18 AM   #8
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

Not taking skin samples means she has at the very least not done her proper veterinary work. Regardless of country, that is absolutely critical to proper diagnosis and quite frankly makes me suspect that vet isn't actually very good.

Because you haven't had proper diagnosis through actual testing(no, physical observation does not count) you cannot say for sure what this hamster does or does not have. I would be extremely hesitant to even give the injections as you clearly still don't know what this is - and if it isn't mange you could be causing way more harm to your hamster and still not fixing the problem.

Other than that highly disappointing to say the least vet, linseed and flax seed are the same thing. It may not fix things on its own though if you have dry flaky skin, but it should at least help.

I would personally not use the injections until a proper diagnosis is done for the reasons already mentioned. It is reckless and if I'm being completely honest with you unethical for a vet to support untested "treating" of a condition that very well could be nowhere near the real problem. Try a high quality 100% coconut oil - excellent for dry skin as long as there's no rash, just be sure to rub it in thoroughly and don't do too much at a time.
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Old 02-17-2020, 05:08 PM   #9
Ami
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

Thank you amityvillehams for the reply..thanks for understanding.. not taking skin samples and quickly coming to the conclusion that it's mange was really bothering me too..I asked her specifically if she's sure but she said she was absolutely sure and went ahead with the injection..this is the best vet hospital I could find here who atleast was willing to look at my hammy.all the others (I made atleast a dozen phone calls) plainly dismissed that there's noone specialised to look at hamsters here..I'm surprised at how many petstores there are in this state and not many vet hospitals..ppl look at me as f I'm an idiot to actually spend money on a hammy.dogs of high breed on the other hand get high end treatments here.im not saying that's bad bt strays and smaller animals are not even considered..dunno if the cultural gap could be conveyed by me properly and I'm sure the case is entirely different in developed countries atleast...sorry for ranting but I just needed to let it out..by the way my hammy ran on the wheel just now, after a very long time and I can't tell how happy I am...as a baby he used to love his wheel and run for hours and hours..this is giving me some hope that I'll get him back...meanwhile I'll continue my search for a better place to get proper diagnosis and give him a lot of love and care with help from u guys .thank you
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Old 02-17-2020, 05:19 PM   #10
Ami
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Default Re: Extreme hair loss.pls help

Also btw I specifically asked her if it could be Cushing's disease and she just looked at me as if I was insane to even think that way.supressing a smile she said no way..it's mange..it was a little intimidating to be honest.
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