Bony Lump on Hamster Chest

megb1991 · 01-09-2015, 07:15 AM

Hi, I have a Syrian Hamster around 1 and a Half years old. She loves to climb - but yesterday I noticed that she had a small bony bump on her upper chest area. I am sure it is not a tumor it feels like a misplaced bone - when i touch it it also does not bother her and she is not in pain at all as far as I can tell.

I have read online that this could be a "free floating rib" and that it doesnt affect them but I just wanted to make sure. She is still full of life, eating normally, running around and climbing. Can you give me any information on what you think this could be? Thank you. Meg

souffle · 01-09-2015, 07:24 AM

These are quite common and can be inherited or be the result of an injury and they never seem to bother the hammy in any way. We have noticed that they often become more obvious at around this age as the hammy starts to lose muscle tone and body mass as they enter older age so she may have had it all along but you are only just noticing it now.
Keep an eye on her for anything else that doesn't seem right but otherwise she should be fine with this. I'm not sure if it is a floating rib or a slight twist or movement of the sternum that causes it due to falling.

Thin Lizzy · 01-09-2015, 08:55 AM

Hi megb1991. Welcome to HC.
Sorry to hear about your hamster's floating rib.
What's her name?

megb1991 · 01-10-2015, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

These are quite common and can be inherited or be the result of an injury and they never seem to bother the hammy in any way. We have noticed that they often become more obvious at around this age as the hammy starts to lose muscle tone and body mass as they enter older age so she may have had it all along but you are only just noticing it now.
Keep an eye on her for anything else that doesn't seem right but otherwise she should be fine with this. I'm not sure if it is a floating rib or a slight twist or movement of the sternum that causes it due to falling.

Thank you for
Your help of if it wasn't a floating rib and something you mention above is that still common? She seems fine and normal.. Thank you again

megb1991 · 01-10-2015, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

Hi megb1991. Welcome to HC.
Sorry to hear about your hamster's floating rib.
What's her name?

Her name is willow I will send. Picture soon

Thin Lizzy · 01-11-2015, 10:13 AM

Ahh! Willow is such a lovely name!

gracieiscrazy · 09-23-2018, 03:29 PM

Hi everyone, thanks for putting me at ease. I have a 12 week old Syrian called Honey with the same problem, boney lump in the chest when she stretches her arms out while climbing upside down. I’m not sure if she had it before I got her or if she got it from a fall in the cage... It doesn’t appear painful to the touch for her or affect her in any way so I’ll just keep an eye on it for now.

Hammy992 · 09-23-2018, 11:51 PM

My last syrian had this as well which like Souffle said became more prominent with age. During one of his surgeries the vet noticed his one was caused by a congenital deformity of the rib cage. She said it was common and nothing to worry about. Since it never caused him any problems if he hadn't had the surgery I would never have known why he had it.