Your opinion on Bobby situation...

[essentiallysue]

I had a little "Bobby" myself. I live in Florida and we had had a lot of moisture in the summer. Bobby developed something like that and pulled out almost all his hair. He looked awful. It wasn't until I developed something similar on my face and went to the dermatologist who sent the fungus away to be identified. I then reported to my vet what it was. He was treated with the same medicine as I was, only for hamsters. It took many weeks of treatment and finally Bobby looked himself again. On our last visit, all the personnel at the vet's office cheered. They had come to know and love Bobby. When Bobby passed away at a good old age, I received a card of condolence from the whole vet's office. I was attracted to your article as soon as I saw the name, Bobby. I do hope you find out what is troubling your Bobby and get it cured.

[essentiallysue]

You might be wondering how my Bobby got the fungus. I had let him run around in my closet with a rug on the floor. I later found a mold on the wheel he had been running on there. I am sure that's where he got it. It was not something in his cage.

[The Hamster's family]

Originally Posted by Biscotti

I agree it's likely to be a fungal infection due to how the fur came off in clumps along with flaky skin patches. I'm not sure if it's the same situation with Bobby (his skin doesn't look too awful yet), but have a look at this page that has a lot of photos of ringworm infection on a robo and see if it might be similar.

Thank you so much Biscotti... I am now 99% sure that Bobby has ringworm... It looks so similar to what he has that I had my mouth wide open and kinda stopped breathing for few seconds... The phone call to the vet will not be a happy one... I KNEW it wasn't related to old age... I will have to stay calm... What do I have to ask her for (assuming it will be the same girl...)? What is the medication ?

[ThePipsqueakery]

I would just let her know that the issue hasn't resolved and is very uncomfortable for your hamster. Give her details about how you treated the mite infection, don't just assume she trusts that you did it right so tell her how you did it. Tell her that you would like to explore the possibility that this is a fungal infection, and ask her how she would want to proceed. Be respectful but firm. You catch more flies with honey.

ETA: Oh and don't go on about how the internet told you this and that. If you want to say anything to that effect go with a general I did some research and it looks similar to pictures of fungal infections I've seen.

[The Hamster's family]

Originally Posted by essentiallysue

You might be wondering how my Bobby got the fungus. I had let him run around in my closet with a rug on the floor. I later found a mold on the wheel he had been running on there. I am sure that's where he got it. It was not something in his cage.

Now I am sincerely wondering how he got it too ! Bobby shares the same bedding than all the others I have. They all shared a big bag of Boxo... And it started when he was in his big bin cage... SO it's not from the big expedit they are in... Could it be from wood ? Cause when I treated for mites, I replaced all wood toys with the same ones, just new ones... But it could have come from the old ones...? He doesn't come out of his cage really... Sometimes in the bathtub a little, but never on the ground...

[The Hamster's family]

Originally Posted by Xelay

I would just let her know that the issue hasn't resolved and is very uncomfortable for your hamster. Give her details about how you treated the mite infection, don't just assume she trusts that you did it right so tell her how you did it. Tell her that you would like to explore the possibility that this is a fungal infection, and ask her how she would want to proceed. Be respectful but firm. You catch more flies with honey.

ETA: Oh and don't go on about how the internet told you this and that. If you want to say anything to that effect go with a general I did some research and it looks similar to pictures of fungal infections I've seen.

I took notice of your comment ! Thank you very much !

[The Hamster's family]

Originally Posted by Dotty

I hope you find out soon what it is so you can treat you hamster, can I ask how they get mites if they don't come to us with them where would they get them from, is it the bedding or food?
Thanks

Mites could be from bedding, food, toys... From another animal...

[ThePipsqueakery]

Originally Posted by The Hamster's family

I took notice of your comment ! Thank you very much !

No problem. I've spent a lot of time advocating for my hamsters and I've always gotten the best results doing some variation of that.

[ThePipsqueakery]

Any news on Bobby?