Cushing Disease???

[SarahJ]

Im not having much luck with my hamsters at the moment and i really think that now Megan has Cushings!!

I posted a thread a while back saying that she had lost all the hair on one of her back legs. well the hair loss it getting worse and is now spreading across her back.
I know with Cushings it affects the legs,back and belly.

I still do not have the money to take any of my babies to the vets and im feeling really bad because of this.

Is there anyway so telling myself that she has Cushings and what i can do or what other side effects Cushings has???

Once i get paid im taking her to get checked out but thats still 2 weeks away

[SnickersTheFirst]

I'd have a skin scrape done at the vets to check for any parasites first. Most vets are not experienced with Hamster Cushings as it's quite rare.

I found the hair on Snickers lower back began to lighten in colour before falling out, it then spread to her legs and stomach. With Cushings the skin is also very dry, flaky, red and scabby. Have you noticed this? Snickers' scent glands seemed to darken and she has dark pigment in some parts of skin, like bruises. I've found Sudocrem helps to soothe her skin and stop it from drying out too much.

Check the wiki too for more info etc. I wish Megan all the best. x

[fluffymunchkins]

I'd definitley reccommend a skin scrape to be sure. Some hamsters do suffer from old age hair loss badly, but its worth getting it checked.
As long as shes in no discomfort I wouldn't worry about waiting for the vets.

I hav eheard that cushings is more common in sables (not that their is scientific proof)
But that makes me increasingly worried for Porridge and sable is my favourite colour

[SnickersTheFirst]

Forgot to ask, is Megan a pet shop ham?

It's less common in breeder hamsters as Cushings is genetic. Snickers was an accidental litter who was kept with her sisters to a late age and then given to a rescue where I adopted her. So I guess no precautions were taken during her being born.

[SarahJ]

Thanks for the replies!

Yes Megan is a pet shop ham and shes also a stable

Snickers - Megans furr has lighten alot around her back,legs and belly where she is losing the furr. I havent noticed any dark spots yet but her skin is quite dry but not flakey. so this has me worried!

[SnickersTheFirst]

Even when Snickers' fur lightened the skin underneath was red and flaky (like dandruff) I guess it could vary between hamsters though.

Also fur lightening does occur during a normal ageing process so it may not be Cushings.

A vet should be able to make a diagnosis.

[SarahJ]

Thanks Snickers

[SarahJ]

well just an update, Megan has started to lose hair on her other leg now and the skin is starting to look sore and lose.

Im going to call the vets tomorrow and try and get an appointment as i now deff think she has it

[leedsgurl]

How old is Megan? as hair loss/mites could be age related. I found this article on Cushings that may help if you're worried.

Cushings Disease - Harvey Hams

[SnickersTheFirst]

I was just going to mention mites or even dermatitis. It has very similar side effects as this is what the vet diagnosed Snickers with. (until she rapidly lost fur and muscle mass)

Hope all goes well for you and Megan. x