Raw area on backside - above tail!!! Help!!!!

GeeTeehamster · 08-05-2018, 12:38 PM

Hello hamster lovers, we have 2 robovski hamsters - brothers and they have a very big tank with a mesh with door front so we can can go in and clean regularly, feed, etc. we use a lot of Carefresh Complete natural paper fluff which they love. two wheels, lots of options to play, tunnel and nest...sand area and litter area.

We noticed 2 days ago that one of our babies has a raw bottom but it's not in his privates area. No swelling. His name is Neutron. he eats regularly everything, and drinks often, but he has a raw spot on his backside area above his tail. It seemed smaller but when I wiped it with warm water - I just cleaned it off with warm water (it was hidden because some fluff was sticking to it) it seems bigger. it is raw, balding but has some obvious dry area. No blood but it looks bad.

Is there anything to do at home before taking it to the VET?

souffle · 08-05-2018, 12:59 PM

You need to separate them as this looks like bite wounds where the cagemate has been attacking him. This is the typical area for bites to occur. Once bullying and fighting starts they need kept alone or else they will end up killing each other.
If they wounds look clean with no pus or discharge then they should heal in 10 days or so.
It needs done NOW. One can go in a storage box until you sort out a cage. Don't leave them together any longer.

GeeTeehamster · 08-05-2018, 02:53 PM

Thank you!!!!!

Also, will they get lonely? they have been together for a year. I am separating them as I write - the new tank is soaking - getting cleaned. Thanks!!!!

Once separated they can't be put back together is that right? just worried they'll be depressed alone.

GeeTeehamster · 08-05-2018, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

You need to separate them as this looks like bite wounds where the cagemate has been attacking him. This is the typical area for bites to occur. Once bullying and fighting starts they need kept alone or else they will end up killing each other.
If they wounds look clean with no pus or discharge then they should heal in 10 days or so.
It needs done NOW. One can go in a storage box until you sort out a cage. Don't leave them together any longer.

thanks - I'm separating them now but will they get lonely? do we have to do anything differently? Thanks

souffle · 08-05-2018, 03:12 PM

They should get used to it in 10 days or so. Once one is injured they are seen as a weakling and the others will tend to attack them. Even if this is something else like an infection then they still needs separated so he can heal.
I've found that dwarf hamsters live quite happy as singles.
If you do not see an improvement quite quickly then you would need to have him vet checked. Check it daily and take pics so you can see if it is getting better.

Swirls · 08-05-2018, 07:28 PM

I know it's already been said, but please separate them!! I don't entirely have a visual of what you're talking about, but I think it's a bite wound, although it's hard to tell if I don't have a picture.

After reading I've noticed you've separated them. Thank you for doing that. It'd be heartbreaking to hear a hammy died because of this. I hope your hammies live happy lives, even if separated!!!

Just noticed there was a picture!! Aa! Yeah that looks like the result of most likely a fight. ;;

GeeTeehamster · 08-05-2018, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swirls

I know it's already been said, but please separate them!! I don't entirely have a visual of what you're talking about, but I think it's a bite wound, although it's hard to tell if I don't have a picture.

After reading I've noticed you've separated them. Thank you for doing that. It'd be heartbreaking to hear a hammy died because of this. I hope your hammies live happy lives, even if separated!!!

Thanks - it was an effort to get our smaller tank from the basement, clean and set up (my spouse was out and about and I acted as fast as I could once souffle sent me a separate them call to arms), I also had to run to the pet store and get a water bottle - but we now have a hamster duplex - each has wheel, sand bathing area, hammie litter critter, fluff, water, tunnel toys, etc. I'll get a pic of it and post so you guys can see it. lol!

But, we'll watch to make sure he gets better quickly. They both seem to be doing well.

Thanks for caring!

Thin Lizzy · 08-05-2018, 08:01 PM

That's one hell of a nasty wound.
Hamsters adapt well, yours will too. A lot of people just assume it's playing and maybe at first it is but, whenever you buy a pair of dwarf hamsters, you should be made aware that they might end up fighting and need separating.
How's the injured brother doing?

GeeTeehamster · 08-05-2018, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

They should get used to it in 10 days or so. Once one is injured they are seen as a weakling and the others will tend to attack them. Even if this is something else like an infection then they still needs separated so he can heal.
I've found that dwarf hamsters live quite happy as singles.
If you do not see an improvement quite quickly then you would need to have him vet checked. Check it daily and take pics so you can see if it is getting better.

Hi Souffle, thank you so much...! Thanks - (this is a copy of what I sent to swirls who answered too - not sure how this forum stuff works.) I will watch Neutron closely. it was an effort to get our smaller tank from the basement, clean and set up (my spouse was out and about and I acted as fast as I could once you sent me a "separate them" call to arms), I also had to run to the pet store and get a water bottle - but we now have a hamster duplex - each has wheel, sand bathing area, hammie litter critter, fluff, water, tunnel toys, etc. I'll get a pic of it and post so you guys can see it. lol!

But, we'll watch to make sure he gets better quickly. They both seem to be doing well.

I hope!

Thanks for caring!

GeeTeehamster · 08-05-2018, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

That's one hell of a nasty wound.
Hamsters adapt well, yours will too. A lot of people just assume it's playing and maybe at first it is but, whenever you buy a pair of dwarf hamsters, you should be made aware that they might end up fighting and need separating.
How's the injured brother doing?

Hi thin lizzy - they never looked like they were fighting just running around and playing - they had two of everything except for the sand bath - it is a huge Venus de Milo shell enough for 4 of them and they both rolled around in it. I got them when they were tiny and from the same litter - but we noticed it a few days ago. It has some fluff stuck to it, but I cleaned it and took a picture of it. baby is eating, running and wandering around...we'll post pics in a few days to see how they are doing...