Allergies

[pixiehollow]

Not been on for a while, but some might remember my latest addition Ollie. A p@h rescue. When I brought him home he had a bald patch by his hips which I thought might have been his age or problem with coat type (he's a satin)

But since he's been home that has gotten a lot better, no more bald. Back to being full coated and very shiny. Could this be an allergy to wood shavings? I use megazorb.

He isn't massively photogenic haha, very speedy little man. Super tame but mega explorer!

[flowerfairy]

Awww he is gorgeous. The patch you mention could be his scent gland (one on each hip). They can look quite prominant and dark.

[Fluffagrams]

Some hamsters can be allergic to wood shavings and I had a Chinesey who developed an allergy to them after living on them for three years without problems.

Did he have the bald patches on both sides of his body in the same place? If so then they could very well be his scent glands. If not then it could have been some other irritant in his accommodation in the pet shop? Do you know anything of his background and whether there's a chance he might have had a fight with another hamster as sometimes they can lose a bit of fur in fights?