Mites, Mange, or Something Else? (pictures)

[giblaut]

New to the forums and hope that everyone does not mind me starting off with a question! My younger sister's two hamsters have been experience fur loss and developing redness/rashes in their bald spots, presumably from the scratching. They have been itching nonstop and are clearly very uncomfortable. This has been going on for about two or three weeks now, maybe more.

I've spent a couple of hours reading past threads in the forum and they've been very helpful. I sent off the recommendations to my younger sister, particularly about changing their diet (to just grains/higher fiber...or was it protein?), and mentioned the benefits of aloe on their skin. I also mentioned ivermectin but am still unclear on how to figure out the dosage. I saw saline recommended as well, and would love more information on this.

The problem is that I'm still unclear as to what is the problem really is. Looking at the examples of mites, mange, and ringworm, I am finding quite a few differences in addition to similarities.

We ARE going to see a vet, but never knew our regular vet did not treat hamsters. We are looking into local exotic pet vets but won't be able to contact them until Monday, and even then can't guarantee an appointment on the same day.

What we have already done
- cleaned the hamster cages and disinfected everything
- using Carefresh Ultra hamster bedding
- feeding them something similar to the Tropical Carnival food mixes, but we will be changing their diet. Any recommendations?
- giving regular sand baths
- spraying them with...something. I asked my sister what she is using but have yet to receive a reply

More about the hamsters
- they are somewhere between 2 and 2 1/2 years old. If it were just slight fur loss I would not worry, but it's the itching and irritated skin that concerns us
- they are male dwarf hamsters
- hair loss is not caused by chewing/contact on cage bars or their wheel
- I haven't noticed any decrease in activity, but one of the hamsters (the one most affected) has always been inactive

Pictures. This was one of them exactly a week ago. Apologies for the poor quality, I only took a few quick snaps of this guy because he was in such bad shape (was playing around with my camera, did not actually plan to shoot the hamsters):





The other one was just fine. Itching a little, I think, but otherwise okay:





Here they are from yesterday. These are a few iPhone pictures my sister sent me:

behind and around the right eye




on the back




Please note: their bedding HAS been changed to Carefresh, so I'm actually not sure why these pictures show the old bedding. I'll have to ask (I don't live at home).

These are all of one hamster, the same one pictured in the first two images. The other is not experiencing severe fur loss, irritation, or scabbing but is also itching nonstop.

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance!

[Gazmo]

i doubt its mites or nything like that beacuase surely the other would also have it?

It could be cushings, but im not an expert
heres a link: Stages of Cushings Disease with illustrated pics (inc. treatment)

[Kirsty1987]

It doesn't look like cushings to me it looks like ringworms but I'm no expert and the only way to find out is take them to the vets and have them tested for ringworms and mites asap.
Also I read on another forum that carefresh ultra goes through an additional chemical process to turn it white and that this bedding can cause irritation to sensitive skin so its best to use the normal carefresh which is grey but i doubt this is what is causing the problem.

[giblaut]

Originally Posted by Gazmo

i doubt its mites or nything like that beacuase surely the other would also have it?

It could be cushings, but im not an expert
heres a link:

Thanks for your thoughts and the link! I will remember this and bring up the possibility when we see the vet. As far as the other hamster, he has been itching nonstop as well although he's not experiencing the fur loss and scabbing the other hamster is.

Originally Posted by Kirsty1987

It doesn't look like cushings to me it looks like ringworms but I'm no expert and the only way to find out is take them to the vets and have them tested for ringworms and mites asap.
Also I read on another forum that carefresh ultra goes through an additional chemical process to turn it white and that this bedding can cause irritation to sensitive skin so its best to use the normal carefresh which is grey but i doubt this is what is causing the problem.

Thanks, I thought ringworm could have been the culprit as well after viewing a web page on ringworm in robo hamsters, but then saw mention of yellow, crusty skin in association with ringworm and I haven't noticed any of that at all. BTW, this is off topic but are new members not allowed to post links? Both times I tried to, my post was denied! I actually had to remove a link when I quoted Gazmo in order to post.

As mentioned in the OP, we will be seeing a vet. However, we won't be able to reach them until tomorrow (as today is Sunday) and even then I don't know how soon we can get in an appointment. At my regular vet it will take a week and sometimes two to schedule an appointment. Even if I mention that this is an urgent matter, our schedule would be difficult to work around. We will absolutely try to make it work though, and see the vet as soon as possible.

Did not know that about Carefresh Ultra! I had no idea. Thanks for letting me know, I will remember this the next time we buy bedding. We only just switched over to Carefresh Ultra when the itching started, so that's definitely not the cause. But it might be making it worse, so I appreciate the information.

[Kirsty1987]

If it's an urgent matter they should be able to get you an appointment as soon as possible If the other is itching then its something contagious and cushings is not a contagious disease which is why I i don't believe its cushings also i had a syrian with cushings and she didn't have scabbing on her skin or itch just loss of fur plus i have not heard of robo's having cushings disease mainly syrian hamsters.
(Copied this from the petmd site)
The ringworm infection is characterized by bald patches, which commonly occur starting from the head. In the face the patches appear around the eyes, nose, and ears. The ringworm infection may also spread to the back. If treated promptly, however, the infection will clear up. Nevertheless, use utmost caution when handling a hamster suspected of being infected, as ringworm is highly contagious to humans and other animals.
The fact the scabbing is round the face area sounds very much like ringworms and you want to get it treated by a vet before you or anyone else is put at risk of getting ringworms if you call the vets and tell them the symptoms and that you think it could be ringworms i think they should be able to get you an appointment quickly.

[Panda's_mommy]

Poor babies, keep us posted.

[racinghamster]

Hi. Your doing the right thing having a vet take a look to determine whether it is a case of mites, a dermatitis or fungal infection. Given their ages, a drop in hormones can occur and endocrine system can become involved also, so a few things can come into play here.

I have a male roborovski who is nearly two years of age and he begun having much the same skin itching a while back, but it flared up and then calmed again. Leaving him with patchy fur with white crusty bits on his actual skin. I chose not to treat him for anything becaise I knew nothing in his environment had been changed or added to, so nothing was `introduced` that could cause mites. However, their immune systems and sometimes a lack of certain vitamins like vitamin E can cause skin problems in hamsters. My old lad basically isn`t phased by his skin condition and goes about his daily life. Apart from looking a little manky! But then he`s not the tubby little ball of fluff he used to be!

Roborovskis do seem to get these skin complaints as they age although I`m not sure if it`s something that just occurs naturally, or whether there is a causitive agent to blame. But if you feel they are uncomfortable, it`s always best to have their skin looked over by a good vet who won`t just dismiss it as mites.