Mystery injuries on cheek

[Nush]

We got a new syrian hamster a month ago and have come to adore her. But since we got her, she’s had two injuries - one a few days after we got her and a second one last week. They were both on her cheeks (one left and one right cheek) and it looks like an open wound (no skin and red flesh and blood showing).

After her first injury, I took her to the vet and he checked her for mites. There weren’t any. He gave her antiseptic lotion that I put on her everyday and that injury healed completely.

But on Saturday she got a very similar injury on her other cheek . I’ve been putting the antiseptic lotion again. The injury looks red and sore and she scratches it a lot (very similar to what she did with the first injury).

What I’m worried about is where is she getting those injuries from? Has anyone ever experienced anything similar?

[souffle]

That is rather odd. Have you checked the cage all over for any sign of anything like rusty bars, spikely bits, chewed plastic etc that she could have caught it on.
There are lots of places on toys they can spike themselves on or even the wheel.
Is it is not that are her claws too long? Look at the teeth and ensure they are not too long and also check that her pouches seem empty.
Look at the food mix and see if it contains spikey grains or bits of hay that are sharp. Also the bedding she has? Any sharp bits in that like wood chips. I would change to very soft bedding like torn tissue or carefresh and see if that helps.
If all else fails then she will need to see the vet again but I hope you can locate the cause and she feels better soon.

[Nush]

We thought it was the cage too but I can't put my finger on what it could be in her cage. The cage is new. It's a Savic Cambridge cage and there is nothing spiky in the cage itself.

She's still got the plastic wheel that came with the cage currently but I've ordered a bigger one. The only toys she's got is her ball, that she's very fond of, and two Super Pet chew toys.

I never thought about her claws. That's a good one. I'll take her to the vet again and ask him whether that could be the reason and if they need trimming. She's my first hamster (ever) so I keep feeling I'm not doing something right and that's why she got hurt. But I'm not sure what!

[souffle]

The cambridge cage has the end panel and the side bars and at the bit where they meet there is sometimes a slightly wider gap where some hams will push their head through. The bars are welded on here and can sometimes be sharp. If she chews here or indeed anywhere she may be rubbing the cheek and opening it up. Does she chew?

[Nush]

She chews on the horizontal bars at the front, mostly to grab my attention I think. I have seen her climb on the top bars and we've put a hammock so that she doesn't fall and hit the edge of the two levels. The hammock seems to be working.

But I haven't seen her pushing into the wider gap between the bars which you've mentioned. Of course that doesn't mean she doesn't do it when I'm not looking.

She gets a lot of attention and exercise every night. Often when I check on her later on, she's sleepy.

Is there something I can do to protect her from those bars?

[souffle]

It could well be the chewing at the root of the damage. Try and push a toy or something in front of the chew area so she cannot do this. She is obviously a demanding little madam LOL. She has learnt she gets out when she does this. You could test if it is the chewing by putting her in a large tub bin cage for a while or just try and block off the bits she favours.
Little minx!

[Nush]

Yeah she is a bit spoilt.

I thought I'd take a picture of the injury and the cage. So here it is:
Spinny's Injury - Hamster Central Photo Gallery

The injury looks awful but it didn't at first. She scratched it so much.

The cage, I show the homemade hammock that is between the levels so that she doesn't fall and hit her head on the edge of the levels.

If anyone sees something that might have caused this kind of injury, please let me know.

Also if the album doesn't download, please let me know. I'm still new and learning the ropes.

[Eleanor]

Aww the poor little thing! I hope she stops with the bar chewing and gets well soon x

[souffle]

It all looks safe enough but hams are such devils. I'd take down the hanging rope on the top but it does look like a rub mark from sliding her mouth up and down somewhere and catching it. Mites would not look like that I don't think.
What sort of antiseptic wash did they give? Some types can cause more soreness than improve it. I would maybe stop the wash for now and see if you can get it to heal. Was the previous injury very similar? If it was it is almost certainly from some sort of bar rub.
I may consider getting up during the night to see if you can spot where she is doing this action that is causing this. I still suspect the side / back panel gap or the door gap. She may be getting her head through and trying to open the door.
It is likely itchy as it is healing so she scratches it.
It does look sore

[Nush]

Aw I've got news although I'm not sure how to take the news.

I took Spinny to the vet today and the vet couldn't find any obvious reasons for her injury. It's not skin related and it's not her claws. I showed him photos of her cage and he did say 'from the pictures' there's no obvious protruding wires or anything in her cage.

He is more worried that the injury is localised on the cheek - both times it happened. And he wants to check her pouch. He thinks I should book her in for a check which is a bit like an endoscopy and requires anaesthetic. It'll allow him to check her pouch and her teeth.

I'm a little worried about the anaesthetic in a small animal. I was a bit surprised and I didn't even ask whether it'd be a general anaesthetic or local one but I'm guessing it'd be general.

I'd like to know what do you guys think? She is otherwise a healthy and happy hamster. Has anyone had a similar procedure done before?