Mites?

Hana · 01-26-2007, 09:41 AM

I was looking at Smokey yesterday and he had lots of little white specks on him. I thought it could be mites, am I right?

Mum is reluctant to go to the vets unless its an emergency. Is there another alternative? Mite powder or something I can do for him?

Please help, thanks

souffle · 01-26-2007, 12:07 PM

Are you sure it is not just sawdust? Try and get some of the white flecks on to a black card and see if they move. Mites will move around. It could be dry skin flakes. Dont treat until you are sure as the treatment can be trying for hammies.

Hana · 01-26-2007, 01:05 PM

Thanks for replying!
Can't wait till he wakes up, I will check then. I was trying to see if they moved yesterday but he is quite fast and wouldn't keep still

Hana · 01-26-2007, 02:31 PM

I feel really stupid! I think it was just a bit of bedding or chinchilla sand

There is nothing on him now and he is fine, sorry. I'm such a paranoid hammy mum!!

souffle · 01-26-2007, 02:35 PM

Better safe than sorry Hana. It is great you notice everything and if there was anything wrong catching it early is the best way to hopefully get it sorted before any harm occurs

We check over everyone daily, eyes, ears, limbs, tummies and botties!!!

racinghamster · 01-27-2007, 03:25 AM

Hi Hana. You were right to check this because if you ever do see little things moving around, these will be LICE, not Mites! Mites are microscopic and cause lots of itching and fur loss/patchy areas.

If you ever do have an outbreak, you and mum can go to Pets At Home and buy the Beaphar anti-spot on treatments for hamsters and gerbils. This contains Ivermectin (which is what the vet uses) and you just put this onto the back of the hamster over a three week period once a week. The pack will tell you how much the hamster should weigh before using it however.

Hope this helps. x

SnuggleHam · 01-27-2007, 09:07 AM

Glad it didn't turn out to be anything to worry about

better safe then sorry! I'm glad you asked anyway, even if it turned out to be something silly

Hana · 01-27-2007, 10:57 AM

hehe thanks everyone, I worry about everything

Jill Bayles · 01-28-2007, 03:27 PM

I've learned some more useful information by reading this. This mite business worries me but at least I know what to look for and how to treat anything I may find.

I love this forum

souffle · 01-28-2007, 03:42 PM

Mites are really not very common Jill and are seen more often in summer and in hamsters with hay as a bedding or animals whose immune systems are poor. If you use bedding from a reliable source (Wilkinsons is good and very well priced especially the couloured J cloth bedding and the shavings) you are unlikely to have any problems.