Hamster hair loss and open skin sores - PLEASE HELP - Page 4

Figaro91 · 03-05-2014, 08:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

Will get back to you in a wee minute Figaro I just want to find a page I was looking at yesterday. Will post it as soon as I find the link!

Edited to add: Here we go: PETERGURNEY.COM

This is taken from the Peter Gurney Guinea Pig health pages. What this man didn`t know about treatment wasn`t worth knowing! The Manuka Honey image here is just one of many that are available, but it`s the UMF factor you need to consider. He explains this on he page. So if the Amazon link doesn`t tell you this information, you should contact the seller and ask. They should be able to give you this information on the product. x

Thank you so much for that link - that's so helpful. Unfortunately, I got a bit trigger happy and already ordered the Manuka Honey off Amazon. It has fantastic reviews though and some of those were by people who used it for hamsters with abscesses, etc. It will come tomorrow so I will let you know if I see any results from it. What happens if it DOESN'T contain Active UMF+10?

TraceyH · 03-05-2014, 08:39 AM

Aw Figaro I've just seen his pics, it's heart breaking to see them like this. When mine got to this stage I only had him a couple of weeks more.

He is similar colour to the one I lost, I wonder if it's common in the brown and white hamsters or just coincidence.

Here's a pic of him before he became ill but he did end up almost bald same as Figaro.

I do hope you're coping ok in this worrying time.

Figaro91 · 03-05-2014, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TraceyH

Aw Figaro I've just seen his pics, it's heart breaking to see them like this. When mine got to this stage I only had him a couple of weeks more.

He is similar colour to the one I lost, I wonder if it's common in the brown and white hamsters or just coincidence.

Here's a pic of him before he became ill but he did end up almost bald same as Figaro.

I do hope you're coping ok in this worrying time.

Tracey, did you have to put him to sleep or did he go naturally? Oh God, that is Figaro's twin!!! I actually thought it was more common in sable coloured hamsters

TraceyH · 03-05-2014, 08:53 AM

I had him put to sleep a couple of weeks ago. He was really ill, could hardly stand or move and was like a skeleton.

Yes, I thought it was more common in sables yet I had a sable in the past and he never developed cushings.

Aw they do look like twins too.

racinghamster · 03-05-2014, 08:59 AM

If it`s medical grade manuka honey, I would imagine it has a grading on it somewhere, but you would need to check the small print on the tub/bottle once it arrives. They probably vary in price depending on the manufacturer and how high a grade the honey is. But if the one you have purchased has very good revues, then it should be fine regardless. You will be using it for small superficial raw breakages rather than very large wounds.

Really hope both this and the grape seed extract have some positive effects. I would work on the honey first personally. I don`t know much about the grape extract. x

Figaro91 · 03-05-2014, 09:03 AM

Tracey, did you try medical grade manuka honey or grape seed extract with your little guy at all? I was hoping I wouldn't have to resort to putting him to sleep, but it's looking like it's going to end that way

I've never had to have an animal euthanised before, so it will be really upsetting. I have a feeling that the disease has progressed too far and any things that might have helped will have no effect now. Sorry to be so depressive, just feeling a bit down about it all. x

racinghamster · 03-05-2014, 09:07 AM

Try not to be Figaro. I know that`s easy to say, but even if he needs help to pass by a vet, you can always ask the vet to give him some gas as this puts them almost to sleep anyway, so it wouldn`t be stressful for you or for Figaro and sometimes they do pass on at home and just sleep away, so he may well go that way. I prefer when they pass away at home, but it`s sometimes necessary to step in if the hamster is `clinging on` and seems uncomfortable. But that`s the only time I would intervene personally. x

Figaro91 · 03-05-2014, 09:10 AM

I understand, I would never let him suffer - and who knows what goes on in the afterlife? He might go to hamster heaven and have tons of fun. What is also going to be hard is telling my little sister, she's only 6 and he's her first pet. She keeps telling me to buy him medicine as if it can cure him. He's currently munching on some cheerios

Figaro91 · 03-05-2014, 12:11 PM

I've just noticed he keeps his back very arched when he walks - is this so he avoids scraping the wounds on his stomach, or is it an effect of the disease? He's still quite quick, and climbs a bit.

TraceyH · 03-05-2014, 01:35 PM

Figaro, no I didn't try the honey. I just put some cream on his skin sometimes if he would let me. Yes, my ham walked with an arched back too. I wouldn't have him euthanised yet if he's still quick and climb a bit and meerkat.

Try not to get too down about it. I must admit it did get me down. I used to worry when I was at work for hours. I was scared he fell over in his water dish and couldn't lift himself out because of his weak muscles. Thankfully this never happened though.