I just tried scruffing Artie...

lykame · 05-12-2012, 08:52 AM

... and it didn't go very well.

I have done it before because I'm aware of the need to do so for health checks, but usually only briefly as he's sooooo wiggly and there's no issues. So I did it once quickly today and he's got a tiny patch of crusty fur over his scent gland. It doesn't look like the scent gland itself, or a plug in the scent gland, just dried secretions matted into the fur. There's no redness or swelling and he is his usual self. There is no fur loss, he's not scratching more than usual, and there's no greasy areas.

Not sure what to do about this? I scruffed him again for a bit longer to get a better idea of it but it really didn't go very well. He didn't bite or anything, and I would really deserve it if he did, but it just made me feel really cruel as he was wiggling about everywhere, pooped, and was clearly desperate to free himself. And he's... well not strong, but so wiggly and small and I can't keep my grip on him easily. The scuffed bit of neck skin just slides out of my grip as he twists himself back and forth. I tried again with a bit of kitchen paper and tried covering his eyes, but it took two hands and then I was just kinda... stuck, haha.

I have tried cleaning it with some boiled cooled water with some salt in it just to soften it, but it's impossible because I can't hold him in the right way to get at it!!! I nearly cried because it felt like I was causing him distress, even though the lovely soul was so sweet and forgave me immediately. Anyhoo, I gave up, put him down my sleeve for some darkness and warmth until he was dry (after my missed attempts) and then popped him back in his cage with a pumpkin seed and mealworm.

I will keep an eye on it. If it changes in nature then I will take him to a vets but I really think it's just the secretions from his gland. Should I just leave it be or should I try and wipe it down again??? I've tried searching on the forum but can find nothing beyond confirming that it is definitely his scent gland. There is probably information on this on the forum but I'm clearly not using the correct search terms. I don't want him to associate time with me with being in distress but will obviously do what it takes to keep him healthy and happy. Gulp.

Also, by myself, how can I scruff him better? I followed all the advice on here but it still didn't work...

Love, a vaguely distressed Lydia and a wiggly Artie.

shell1805 · 05-12-2012, 08:58 AM

what is the need to scruff for exactly?? is he not handable??

xxx

lykame · 05-12-2012, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shell1805

what is the need to scruff for exactly?? is he not handable??

xxx

No he's very easily handled, but I need to be able to check his underside. It's easy to do this in, say, a glass jar or something and look up at his underside, but that doesn't let me feel anything that's going on, or act on it. So I scruff him briefly to check his underside and his teeth.

I keep him well supported and I wasn't aware of a problem with scruffing them as it's recommended a lot on here. If I hadn't scruffed him I would not have noticed this crusty bit anyway.

shell1805 · 05-12-2012, 09:12 AM

no no, i think a few here think scruffing is ok. i dont personally for various reasons, but im sure someone can advise you on how to do it to avoid as less stress as possible to hammie. i find holding them in my palm on their backs does the trick, but if scruffing is the only way you can get to look.....

good luck and im sure you'll get the hang of it xxx

lykame · 05-12-2012, 09:14 AM

Essentially I do hold him on his back in the palm of my hand. But he wouldn't stay in that position unless I scruff the skin of his neck. Do yours just lie on their backs happily?

shell1805 · 05-12-2012, 09:16 AM

yeah, pretty much i dont hold them long... even savage will let me to a degree

seriously i didnt mean anything by it, just surprised that people do it i guess *blush*

xxx

Kissa · 05-12-2012, 09:21 AM

I don't like scruffing Darla either, even though he doesn't wriggle around if I do it. In fact, he holds dead still, but while I know it's pain-free for the ham if you do it right (ie don't also scruff their ears), I'd still rather hold him on his back in my palm. I use my thumb to hold him down and keep him on my palm so he can't wriggle away. I suspect Artie might be a bit bigger than Darla

so this might not work as well, but it's an option to try?

I'm not sure how you'd check teeth without scruffing, though

shell1805 · 05-12-2012, 09:24 AM

ummm i try and catch them yawning *blush*

so stalk around the time i know they wake up lol xxx

lykame · 05-12-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shell1805

yeah, pretty much i dont hold them long... even savage will let me to a degree

seriously i didnt mean anything by it, just surprised that people do it i guess *blush*

xxx

It's mentioned in most of the health checking segments on here, in a lot of the videos by the hamsteries that people trust and vets also scruff to examine hamsters properly.

lykame · 05-12-2012, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kissa

I don't like scruffing Darla either, even though he doesn't wriggle around if I do it. In fact, he holds dead still, but while I know it's pain-free for the ham if you do it right (ie don't also scruff their ears), I'd still rather hold him on his back in my palm. I use my thumb to hold him down and keep him on my palm so he can't wriggle away. I suspect Artie might be a bit bigger than Darla

so this might not work as well, but it's an option to try?

I'm not sure how you'd check teeth without scruffing, though

Artie's a big boy, yeah. Well he's not, because he's only a dwarf, but he's not small.

It would be nice if Artie would freeze and go still! Even with the tissue over his eyes he still wiggled, although perhaps a tad less. I didn't enjoy doing it though.

I have tried putting my thumb on his upper chest and having him backwards against my palm but this also doesn't work because of the wiggling. I have to admit that I also feel a bit concerned in that position at least that it would be very easy for him to sink his teeth into my thumb. Whilst I would not blame him, as I would do the same thing if I were him, this is something I really want to avoid. He's a gentle soul but even gentle souls have limits!

I avoid his ears and I make sure I get a big scruff of skin but still... no success...

*Sighs*