Anything similar to Cushings?

[SnickersTheFirst]

As some of you may know, Snickers has had a lot of fur loss (belly, scent glands and lower back - mainly) and her skin has become very red, dry and flaky. She was taken to the vet who diagnosed mites with mild dermatitis. She has since had 3 mite injections, 2 week course of Baytril and a Steriod injection (today - to stop itching?). He said to see how the Steriods go and to take her back if the itching continues.

This hasn't helped tbh and the only thing that has changed is that there seems to be a few less scabs. I've never really noticed before but she also has 'freckles' which seems to be the dark-pigmented skin associated with Cushings?

She's also developed a random limp in her right back leg, which she only does some of the time. Not sure if this is related?

However, she doesn't seem to have the swollen abdomen or major scabbing like metioned with Cushings. What could her illness be?

The vet said to get a firm diagnosis of Cushings I would have to see a specialist which is £50 for just a consult. I love Snickers to bits, but £50

[souffle]

I don't think having a firm diagnosis would help snickers because if it was Cushing's then nothing could be done anyway that is not already being done.
There are other hormone related diseases that cause fur loss and her already low immune system will likely not be very effective in keeping mites at bay now.
I don't think they need to have every symptom to still have Cushings and she does seem to have quite a few that indicate it is this. I hope the steroids help keep her comfy and that she enjoys life a bit longer.
You are doing everything you can xx

[SnickersTheFirst]

Thank you for your advice.

Is there any possibility this could be diabetes?

I know she is showing a few signs for Cushings but I read a few articles where owners had seen the same symptoms in their hamster as I'm seeing in Snickers, after a test was done it came out as diabetes.

I mean she is showing a few symptoms of Diabetes over this past week or so. She seems to be drinking more and peeing more (also related to Cushings) and she seems irritable, I picked her up today and she just kept biting me. She is sooo friendly so I was really confused, she's never bitten before. She also used to be awake for ages but she seems to sleep alot now.

Should I test her to put my mind at rest?

Also, is there anything I can do for her skin? I was thinking maybe some sort of cream, but which one? and will it cause bedding to stick to her?

[SnickersTheFirst]

Just found these creams on P@H:

Skin-Eze Cream 50g by Johnson's | Pets at Home
Tea Tree Skin Cream for Pets by Johnson's | Pets at Home

Are either of them any good?

[princess-rhi89]

My Sable banded hammy Millie developed cushings, she didnt have a swollen abdomen, I knew alot less about hammys then and had her pts the ease her pain, it looked unbearable for the poor mite. Im not too sure but I think tea tree can be poisonous to hamsters if ingested. xx

[SnickersTheFirst]

I'm sorry to hear about Millie. xx

Someone recommended the Tea Tree stuff so glad I checked now. Any ideas of what is safe to use then?

[SnickersTheFirst]

Just a few pics so you can see what I mean:


She has a dark patch of skin on her back, not sure if it's a bruise or pigment change.

Sitting on her bum so you can't see the baldness properly.

You can see her legs are quite thin and hairless.

Does this seem typical of Cushings? She's my first Syrian so no idea what I'm looking for tbh.