Please help - advice needed

[Jo1975]

Hi

I've just registered on the site to hopefully gain some hamster knowledge. We have owned our hamster for approximately 18 months. Over the last few months, Fluffy has been suffering from loss of fur, firstly on her back and now a little under her chin. I have noticed tonight that there is a small scab on her back between her shoulder blades and she smells really bad. I also noticed this evening that she has started losing fur further down her back towards her bottom. Does anyone know what this could be please? She is eating well, exercising plenty and her behaviour is the same, infact she doesn't seem to be bothered by her smell/fur loss at all. Could it be that she is too warm (i'm a typical mum i give her plenty bedding, don't want her getting cold)?

Please help, thank you.

Jo

[souffle]

Welcome to the forum.
It sounds as if your hamster might sadly have Cushing's disease Jo and once they start to get the scabs and infected skin which smells they are in the end stages of the disease. There is an article in the forum WIKI and also several members with experience of this disease who will hopefully be able to help advise you.

[SnickersTheFirst]

Stages of Cushings Disease with illustrated pics (inc. treatment)

You may find some useful information on the thread I've linked you to. The hamster was mine and I'd like to think I have a fair bit of knowledge about the disease as I did so much of my own research. If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask - Even PM me if you wish.

Hopefully, the thread will help you make a diagnosis and possibly see how far in she is. I hate to say it, but it's a nasty disease and there's no cure as of yet.