My poor boy, Kernel

[Kiki_3173]

My poor boy, Kernel has lost A LOT of fur (one would never know he is a long haired hamster) and he's gotten lethargic. I can see that he isn't really running in his wheel (it's usually covered in pee when he does). He's still eating and drinking as normal, but he has also started sleeping in random places in his cage...sometimes even in his litter box:-(

I went to my exotics vet last Thursday & had a couple of ideas/plans. The first route he wants to take is treating for mites and an allergy. Kernel weighed in at 137 grams, so no real change in his weight, but he looks smaller to me...maybe it's the hair loss. The vet did several skin scrapes and even pulled a few hairs to look at the follicles, but he didn't find any sign of mites. The plan is to do 2 rounds of ivermectin (sp?) just in case (which is up in the air after I've talked to some members here about it). I changed the type of substrate that I was using for Kernel (went to a mixture of Kaytee & aspen and Kernel has never had aspen before), so the vet suggested I do a full cage clean, including toys etc with a 10/1 water/bleach mixture & rinse really well. I went back to the old substrate. Kernel has another appointment with the vet on Thursday morning & we'll go from there. He's still eating and drinking regularly, just not running in his wheel anymore at night. He spends a lot of his time still running around his cage, but he stops often to scratch and itch. :( My poor boy...he just looks so sad. His hair loss is getting worse even since last week and I'm afraid that it is cushings or mange.

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Kernel%20Sanders/image_zpslesuzp1m.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Kernel%20Sanders/image_zpslesuzp1m.jpg.html)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Kernel%20Sanders/image_zpsnwfes1i6.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Kernel%20Sanders/image_zpsnwfes1i6.jpg.html)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Kernel%20Sanders/image_zpsa4mmldd8.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Kernel%20Sanders/image_zpsa4mmldd8.jpg.html)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Kernel%20Sanders/image_zpsquuhuz5i.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Kernel%20Sanders/image_zpsquuhuz5i.jpg.html)

[Pebbles82]

I'm so sorry to hear this. He looks such a sweet little thing. Did you ask your vet if it could be something other than mites?

[Kiki_3173]

I'm so sorry to hear this. He looks such a sweet little thing. Did you ask your vet if it could be something other than mites?

Yes, he knows that it could be other things, like Cushings, but he wanted to rule out an allergy or mites. We go back to the vets on Thursday for a follow up.

[racinghamster]

Bless him, he looks like a wee darling. Cushings could be the culprit but your doing the right thing by seeing your vet. Strangely enough, mites usually cause the hamster to scratch around the face/head/neck/shoulder areas and small cuts or scabs can form and Kernel`s pink skin looks to me to be more like a contact allergy or indeed, Cushings rather than parasitic.

Let us know how he is. x

[Kiki_3173]

You know RH, I've been doing some reading on the sticky thread "The Stages of Cushings" and I know I don't have a blood diagnosis, but I'm leaning towards Cushings as well. Each time Kernel wakes, his mouth is hanging open a noticeable amount...to the point where I checked his teeth just to make sure they weren't too long. This is mentioned in the sticky thread as muscle wasting and is a side effect of Cushings. I haven't been able to get a picture of it yet, but I've noticed it every time he comes out of his nest.

Regardless, I am going to enjoy each moment I have with him whether he has a short time left or a long life ahead of him. I'll keep him as comfortable as I can & make his days wonderful!

[Kiki_3173]

So, I have NO clue whether it was the Ivermectin injections or the round of Baytril antibiotic that has done the trick, BUT.........Kernel is doing SO MUCH BETTER!!!!! I was so worried (and I still don't know what it was that caused his excessive itchiness or hair loss) but he is actually growing back his beautiful fur! AND he even has the makings of a little skirt!! He's even running on his wheel again:-) Eeeeeeee, I am so happy to see him on the mend!

Check him out:

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Kernel%20Sanders/1C470FE7-04F4-4C70-88BE-0BF7D5A60A8B_zpsav1soaxm.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Kernel%20Sanders/1C470FE7-04F4-4C70-88BE-0BF7D5A60A8B_zpsav1soaxm.jpg.html)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Kernel%20Sanders/9FAC23E4-A6B5-4134-A8DD-FEBEEC83CA58_zps67wgzpa1.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Kernel%20Sanders/9FAC23E4-A6B5-4134-A8DD-FEBEEC83CA58_zps67wgzpa1.jpg.html)

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s208/Kiki_3173/Kernel%20Sanders/734CBB5E-5F3A-496E-B616-661AE010839A_zpsjtjehjkm.jpg (http://s153.photobucket.com/user/Kiki_3173/media/Kernel%20Sanders/734CBB5E-5F3A-496E-B616-661AE010839A_zpsjtjehjkm.jpg.html)

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Oh so glad he is on the mend and a lovely kilt is coming in.

[Wanna Hamster]

Awww! Yay! I hope he stays as healthy as he is nowa,

[Thin Lizzy]

This is wonderful! What a transformation with before and after pics,
Not only is he so gorgeous and very fluffy but his coat looks so much brighter.

[cypher]

Your gorgeous little one looks so much better now, really great to see!