Ham solo has sores/scabs , not getting better

[Coco61]

Hi Alison. I am glad that you found my original post about Cushings helpful.
The blood test that my vet did showed the high level of cortisol but not sky high. A second blood test would have been needed to show that the meds had lowered the level of cortisol. That would have been done in a larger animal like a dog. Not advised for a hamster. A lot of blood needs to be taken and that is why gas is given.
As my boy tolerated the medicine well, as the vet said hamsters usually do, he advised continuation with it and said that it would not do him any harm.
I have no knowledge at all of steroids and the effect on kidneys that Serendipity mentions. But she is right, as you must have read in my post, if the cause is a tumour, this treatment will not work.
Try adding the drop of meds to porridge if you have some. That is usually a favourite.
Please do let us know how Ham Solo gets on.
Wish you both well.

[Pebbles82]

The steroids affect the adrenal glands and increase the cortisol output (when it needs reducing). Metacam affects the kidneys but only in a toxic dose but is also contra indicated with Cushings.

Good to hear that Cocos vet says the meds would do no harm. My thinking though was that if steroids improved things it could well be allergy as that is what steroids are good at treating.

[Alison79]

Thank you so much for your replies , I use care fresh bedding , have used this from the start however bought the rotastax snug and cosy bedding (as I ran out of care fresh, reading all the posts now know that was a mistake) back in June when the problems seemed to start , the vet thought it may have been infested with mites and treated him. It may have been a coincidence. I changed his bedding back to care fresh however he’s slowly declined ever since. I’ve had him to two different vets , one better than the other. His vet at the moment admits she doesn’t specialise however she’s been contacting vets who are more knowledgeable. I’ve ordered Fitch so will give that a go. It’s so difficult to know what to do for the best , he’s such a wee character we don’t want to give up on him but also wouldn’t want him suffering. He does still seem happy in himself , we’re trying everything , really don’t want to let him down It may be that there’s nothing more we can do , I really appreciate you all getting in touch , it’s been a big help.

[Pebbles82]

I think changing to Fitch will help you know whether it’s an allergy or not within a week or so. I have read if hamsters having skin problems with Carefresh sometimes - ie an allergy. I’m not sure why as it’s just cellulose but there are quite a few chemicals used in producing cellulose. For nesting, the safest thing is torn up strips of plain white toilet paper and they quite like it as well. Not in their house but just a pile in the cage and they take what they need.

It is possible the invermectin made him a bit unwell also as it’s quite string stuff - especially if he’s had it more than once. But don’t think that would cause the skin sores.

A couple of things you could do for general immune boosting are to give hemp seeds. They contain virtually all vitamins and minerals. So a pinch of hemp seeds and a pinch of linseeds daily - I used to give these to our ageing hamster and put them on a separate little dish - eg a baby food lid or small jar lid. They just lick them up. If it is related to poor immune response then that might help with the sores healing.

Some people have also used aloe Vera gel on sore skin. It’s soothing and also supposed to help heal.

That is just treating the symptoms to give some comfort really. I don’t see why you can’t try the voltaryl as well as the Fitch. Although if things do then improve you won’t know which it was that helped! But maybe that doesn’t matter.

The lump does sound like a possible tumour. And Cushings can be caused by an adrenal gland tumour.

But they can still live for some time with a slow growing tumour. The main thing is to monitor his quality of life and keep him comfortable. If he is still enjoying doing hamstery things and can have his skin relieved of soreness then that might help.

Signs of pain and suffering are sitting hunched and ears down all the time but you would probably know if he was in a lot of pain.

He is lucky to have such a caring owner. Although you’ve seen two vets and the second one is helpful it could still be an option to ask for an opinion from an exotic vet. They know a lot more about hamsters and their conditions and about suitable meds and dosages.

You can get hemp seeds and linseeds on amazon or health food shops- not expensive and a quite a big bag that lasts years. I used to get the Linwoods shelled hemp seeds - they are sort of fluffy and hamsters seem to like them. Brown linseeds are supppsed to be better than golden. Aloe Vera gel needs to be pure aloe Vera. Some people also find bathing sores with thyme tea helps heal them quicker. Thyme is a natural antiseptic. Without getting your hammy too wet of course. Just a dab with a cotton bud dipped in it. You just make tea with thyme or thyme tea bags and can they keep it in the fridge for a few days.

[Pebbles82]

I would second using soaked science selective pellets as well. They are an all in one food that contains everything needed also. But still put out his regular hamster mix as well. I have an older ham at the moment who gets linseeds and four science selective pellets daily on a little baby food lid (soaked in a bit of boiled water then let it cool for 5 mins or so) as well as his hamster mix in the usual bowl and a bit of fresh veg daily - cucumber and broccoli are popular. Just a tiny bit though. About 1cm cubed size. It’s science selective for hamsters (because fhey also make it for Guinean pigs and other pets and those are slightly different).

Sometimes when they’re getting older (wgich 18 months is) they get toothache and don’t eat the hard food much even though they pouch and hoard it so the soaked science selective and hemp seeds should help with weight gains. Hemp seeds are high calorie as well.


They do enjoy a bit of tasty soft food on a teaspoon sometimes as well. Eg 4 months age baby food jars keep in the fridge for 2 days after opening even if you only use a little bit. Pumpkin and chicken and grandpa’s Sunday lunch are the two favourites here. Both cow and gate I think. Those don’t have tomato, onion or spices which are best avoided.

This one is a personal view - but instead of thyme tea you could make up St Johns wort herb into a tea - for bathing. It’s better known as a nerve tonic/antidepressant but that’s orally. On skin it is a wound healer - apparently used on the battlefields in the crusades. And it can be quite amazingly quick at healing wounds within a day or two. I have used it myself. But as I say that is just a personal suggestion. Externally I can’t see it would do any harm - a teaspoonful to a pint of boiling water then left for 10 mins or so then cooled. Just like the thyme tea. Just once. Then aloe Vera gel for soothing possibly. Anything that helps relieve the soreness.

[Ria P]

Quick tip on dishing up soft foods. I use a traditional type egg cup and push the stand into the substrate. Keeps it in place and the substrate out.

[Pebbles82]

Some info here

https://link.springer.com/article/10...580-017-2426-2

[Alison79]

I’ve taken so much from all the info you’ve given me. Can’t thank you enough. Ham solo demolished the porridge I made tonight , mixed the medicine in with it too, it’s worked a treat ! I will try and source the seeds tomorrow, if not I’ll order them. Baby food is on the shopping list and will look into the remedies to soothe his wounds. Thank you so much again. Feeling hopeful

[Coco61]

Very pleased to hear that the porridge was a success. Hamsters usually love porridge. If you are going to buy baby food and want a jar or pouch to last more than 48 hours in the fridge, I used an ice cube tray to freeze the rest of the jar or pouch. Then you can have more than one flavour to use in rotation. Once frozen, push out the ice cubes of food into a bag and take a cube out of the freezer each evening about an hour ahead of use and then mix the meds before offering it on a teaspoon or in a small container. I did it for so long that I had one baby food flavour in each bag and used them in turn. Porridge too in the rota.