I think Shadow has cushings :'(

Tish36 · 02-20-2011, 03:10 PM

I was checking on Shadow's teeth today when I noticed that all her fur has disappeared from under her neck, like it's all bare and wrinkly

What could this be? Is it Cushings?

Meh, I only lost Skittles the other week, I don't want to lose another :'(

princess-rhi89 · 02-20-2011, 03:23 PM

Tish try not to worry, this hair loss could just be down to old age, how old is shadow and what colouring is he? Has anything changed in his cage lately bedding etc?

Tish36 · 02-20-2011, 03:33 PM

Shadow is about 1 year 2 months old, I can't remember her colouring but its like a long haired browny gold colour, and no bedding has changed or anything...

She's a really fluffy hamster so to go completley bald in one area and be fluffy everywhere else makes no sense

princess-rhi89 · 02-20-2011, 03:40 PM

It may be that shes getting older, many of my hamsters as they've got older have lost their fur and mainly on their necks under their chin.
Cushings is mainly found in studies to effect sable hamsters more than other colourings, and Shadow doesnt sound sable to me.
The main symptoms are
 Hair loss
 Weight loss
 Loose skin and dry, flaky skin
 Wasting of the skeletal muscles, resulting in impaired movement
 Increased thirst and production of urine
 Dark pigment patches on the skin (not to be confused with the normal scent patches found on the hips)
 Cuts, scabs or wounds on the skin, which may become infected
Does she have any of these other symptoms?
xxxx

princess-rhi89 · 02-20-2011, 03:43 PM

Also hairloss in cushings normally doesnt start from the underside of the chin it normally progresses from, The underside of the hamster, near the genitals. Around the scent glands on the hips. Just above the tail. The back of the neck
xxx

shadykkay · 02-20-2011, 03:45 PM

mrfluff loses patchs of fur i found out it was him playing on toy get caught up maybe that what happing

souffle · 02-20-2011, 03:50 PM

This chin fur loss is really quite common so try and not worry. Whe you see hamsters at shows for judging the older ones are frequently marked down for thin belly fur and this can extend up to the chin and be pretty bare.
Hammies who chew the water bottle or drool a lot can also lose fur from the chin.
We have had quite a few oldies with bald chins who had nothing else wrong with them. Monitor her closely for any other patches of course by try and not worry for now.

Tish36 · 02-20-2011, 03:54 PM

Phew! Thanks everyone, I was really worried.

Souffle - I am entering Shadow at a hamster show in March, do you think she will be marked down because of the bald patch, as she came first last year and I'd hate for her to come last or something just because of her missing some fur due to age

souffle · 02-20-2011, 03:59 PM

If you are entering her in pets then age is taken into account so age related fur loss would not matter much as long as she was otherwise healthy and tame but if it is in the main show then yes I would say she would be marked down on this as it would detract from her condition.