Skin Condition?

[shmoopy97]

I have recently purchased three new hamster. They are all very sweet and healthy, except for my little boy. He is in a cage by himself and iv noticed over the past week that his skin seem very irritated and dry. He has scabby bumps as well. His belly is especially irritated looking and red. He very sweet but does get sensitive and nippy if I got over any of his itch or scabby spots. Any suggestions on what it could be and if I can do anything about it. I live very far away from any vets that will look at hamsters so if there is anything I personally can do that would be great. Otherwise I have to try and convince my parents to take me on a long trip to the vet.. and that probably wont go over well. Thank you and have a nice day.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

It could be many things. He could be allergic to the bedding used,or food fed. Or it could be Mites and not the kind you can see but the ones that borrow into the skin and require a Vet treatment to be rid of them. This type mite is called Sarcoptic Mange Mites and are able to get on you too. If demodex mites then they will not harm you but be a real hardship to your hamster if left untreated. Like Sarcopitic mites the Demodex mite burrows under the skin and causes extreme itching and irritation to the Hamster. Be sure to keep the others away from the male and be real careful when you hold him to avoid you getting the mites too(assuming it is mites).

Sad to say the best thing for your pet is a Vet visit to determine exactly what is causing the irritation and get him properly treated to stop his problem

[Thin Lizzy]

It sounds like mites, the ones that get under their skin causing them to scratch. I tried a mite lotion on my hamster Archie but it seemed to irritate him more, so I took him to the vet who gave him 3 injections over 3 weeks and what an improvement. A very happy hamster and a very happy owner.