Help! - Losing Fur :-( - Page 3

souffle · 09-16-2006, 07:36 AM

Found some info in a hamster book about loss of fur. It says it frequently occurs in older hams beginning with two bald patches on either side of the spine. Diets containing less than 16% protein or excess cereals can cause alopecia.It says the protein level in the diet should be checked and amended and that more fruit and veg should be added to the diet. One drop of cod liver oil can be added to the daily food allowance and a crushed yeast tablet can help symptoms but it may take several weeks for any improvement to show. Do not give any more than one drop daily. Might be worth trying though I am not sure hams will like cod liver oil. I think Harry hamster has 19% protein and if you supplement with the tofu and bits of chicken and egg that will increase protein too. Good luck.

suga · 09-16-2006, 08:52 AM

Thank you everyone for all your suggestions and support. I've mixed up some new food for tonight, part hamster mix, with tofu, and little broccoli. Will add other bits over the coming days.....

thanks again :-)

souffle · 09-16-2006, 11:12 AM

Good to introduce them gradually suga in case they cause a tummy upset. Also it would be a good idea to give little Fuzzee Fi some too so she will grow up big and strong. Youngsters always benefit from a bit of extra protein and I am sure she would enjoy it. Remember to enjoy her too when she is little as they are so lovely then and start taming her. Is she coming out yet? I would start handling her now as she has had a good settling in time.

AndreaS · 09-16-2006, 11:25 AM

Hi Suga,
I'm so sorry to hear anout Conker. When I had my first rats one of them (Sid) got a really bad Baytril burn and then lots of fur problems and a local rat breeder suggested I add a drop or two of Flax seed oil to his food
http://www.organicfood.co.uk/vms/flaxseedoil.html

After a few weeks his fur was really good again. I know the fur loss in Conker isn't for the same reason, but wondered if the oil might still help her?
Andrea

suga · 09-16-2006, 12:20 PM

Souffle: I regularly give Conker bits of apple, grape or broccoli so hopefully that won't be a surprise or cause her any upset. I have given her a small peice of tofu tonight and she appeared to like it. I have mixed food for 1 day only and will sort new out for her tomorrow - so nothing can go off. I have cleaned her out tonight and had a good look at her, I noticed that the fur is looking a bit light on the other rear leg but not to the same extent as the right leg. Her coats looks a bit dull and maybe grey in places. Her underbelly is white, but again is looking a bit thin in places. I have put some woodshavings in the corners of her cage and the rest of her bedding is toilet roll, which she ran around her cage, with it hanging from her mouth - very funny LOL. She has been climbing and active so far tonight and doesn't appear to have had a marathon cleaning session so I am hoping she's not to bothered about the fur. I am a little concerned that she will get chilly but guess if she loose a lot more fur, we can make her a coat to keep her warm... poor little thing....

I have given Fuzee Fi some broccoli tonight and will sort her out a smaller piece of tofu before I go to my bed. She has come out and isn't too upset about a smooth whilst she's munching a treat. I'm not really sure how to go about taming her though. She's very different to Conker, in that Conker couldn't wait to get out and meet us and comes to the door of the cage now when she wants to come out... and looks at you from a far if she doesn't. Fuzee Fi stays away from the door more but is coming out when you say her name. She seems to be getting use to it - but then we do talk to her when she's awake... I cleaned her out tonight and she played - scurry round the box when I tried to put her back into the cage. It was more luck than anything else that I was able to hold on to her when she did get close to my hands. She will take food from your fingers. I think I need to get her to take food from my palm when it's flat to show her it's not scarey etc....

Andrea - thanks for the thought, others have suggested cod liver oil and depending on how she appears to be this week, I may try and pick some up. I will have a look at the weblink you have provided..... so thank you :-)

I also picked up the probiotic product by Vartek this weekend so will mix some up into her water....

thanks again everyone.... we appreciate it. :-)

AndreaS · 09-17-2006, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suga

Andrea - thanks for the thought, others have suggested cod liver oil and depending on how she appears to be this week, I may try and pick some up. I will have a look at the weblink you have provided..... so thank you

I also picked up the probiotic product by Vartek this weekend so will mix some up into her water....

thanks again everyone.... we appreciate it.

You're very welcome

I hope she is on the mend soon, paws and fingers are crossed that she is

At least she doesn't seem to be concerned about it.
Andrea

**babyboos** · 09-17-2006, 02:58 PM

Suga you are being so good and I am sure with all your additional food items if it is purely dietry then you will soon see an improvement.

suga · 09-18-2006, 01:18 AM

My mate (that's the english in me) would say Conker is a wee scone (no idea what that means :P).... I did notice this morning that there was a tiny tuft of fur outside the cage. I actually have her sitting on a towel - so I can keep an eye on what she throws out of her cage.... She definitely has lost a bit more from the other leg, but her mad running around leads me to believe she's actually not unhappy. I hope she will be okay ..... the wee scone...
thanks

souffle · 09-18-2006, 03:02 AM

Another thing is that most hammies are moulting just now and hers may be a bit more pronounced with her being poorly recently. Some of ours look distinctly tatty as they grow their new coats

Glad she is bouncy though.

**babyboos** · 09-18-2006, 03:30 AM

My hamsters all love Cod Liver Oil and will lick the oil from the capsule with great relish. Oats can be a warming food item which can help exacerbate hair loss so if you have any rolled oats in her dried mix, or give her porridge etc. try removing this for now.

Sprinkle some wheatgerm on her dried mix instead, and definitely try her with some drops of Flax Seed or Cod Liver Oil. High strength Vitamin E capsules are also available.

It is molt season especially late this year due to the weird weather we have been having in Scotland and it is getting cold at night quite suddenly. Our little ones are particularly sensitive to seasonal changes.

As for Fuzee Fi don't let her bully you so much

She will regress very quickly if not handled regularly and she needs to be shown that you are not the enemy very soon. Confidence is the key as they can sense your hesitation.

To begin with you are aiming to be able to lift her briefly off the ground and allow her to step down again. After doing this for a good many times, she will hopefully get bored before you will, try holding her in your hands for longer, cupped gently but firmly so she cannot escape. Baby hamters are very muscular and strong which can surprise some people.

Try to remain calm whilst doing this so your heartbeat stays regular, speak to her gently, then hold your cupped hands on your chest and your hearbeat should hopefully soothe her, and stop her stuggling, if she is. 5 to 10 minutes every night around the same time is ideal, with nice healthy treats/rewards afterwards

When most Syrians reach the 3 month mark they have sudden personality switches and become very calm and docile with regular handling like this. It is one of the reasons I usually recommend hamsters 12 weeks and over for younger children. The hamster has gone through their rebellious teenager stage and is now a more mature responsible twenty-something

Laying an old towel in the bottom of the bath provides and ideal playground where they can run around while you lean over do the up-down /cupped hands exercise.