Sore patch on underbelly? Stress?

LadyPikachu · 01-09-2015, 03:32 PM

Pikachu seems to have developed a sore patch on her belly.. I've been observing her and I am 99% sure it's from itching. Everywhere else is fine as far as I can see, she's acting normal and eating and drinking the same amount.

I'm thinking it may be due to stress if that's even possible, she has been moved cage twice in the past week and that is when the itching got worse.

She has always been a little itcher (While she's having grooming sessions.) so at first I didn't think anything of it, but then I did her weekly (sometimes every other day) check over and noticed the sore patch.

I will take her to the vets if it does start to break skin and bleed, but for now any ideas on what this could be? Does my idea sound reasonable?

Is there anything I can do to soothe the sore area?

Thanks for reading and your time!

Edit: Oh and she never scratches during play time or when she's been awake a while?

LadyPikachu · 01-09-2015, 04:55 PM

Sudden thought, could it be her bedding? Since she only itches in her cage? Would that make her red and sore? Not sure if I'm over thinking it but I don't remember her itching much on Carefresh bit but she is on Fitch now aren't they basically the same? I've not heard of many hamsters being allergic to Fitch?

Thin Lizzy · 01-09-2015, 09:59 PM

It could be stress what with 2 cage changes in a week.
Did you use the Fitch bedding in her old cage before she went into the used cage into the new cage?
You could try converting back to the care fresh to see if it gets better.
I'm sure P@H sell a cream for sore patches.

cypher · 01-10-2015, 12:55 AM

It could be stress, always a possibility, also I'd check just to be sure there's nothing she's rubbing against in the cage.
I wouldn't have thought the Fitch would cause a problem, it is only paper, Carefresh is wood pulp, I doubt the change would cause a problem.
I'd keep an eye on her & see how it goes, if it doesn't clear up it may well be worth a vet check, you could also consider giving her a time amount of omega oil which is really good for her skin & general health.
Something like this one maybe Omega Oil - £1.30 : ratRations.com

LadyPikachu · 01-10-2015, 03:42 PM

Went to my local Pets At Home with vet inside, as I read they have a small animal specialist. They were luckily working when I went in to ask about Pikachu and they said a tiny amount of Sudocrem will help soothe the area and prevent any infections if it does break skin for now as its not serious, they said just put sudocrem on the sore area until it looks better and if it does still get worse and cause broken skin I can take her in and they will see what is happening.

When I checked her today she looked much much better, the redness was much lighter .. I still did as the vet recommended even though it looked to be healing itself.

I think the culprit may be her wheel.. She has been biting around her trixie wheel and it has become quite rough now. So that is now a possibility. I have a new wheel I am just waiting for her stress levels to go down before moving her cage about as this wheel is MUCH bigger.

LadyPikachu · 01-10-2015, 03:43 PM

Thank you for the help and suggestions lovely people!

racinghamster · 01-11-2015, 07:09 AM

Glad the Pets At Home vet was able to advise you Pikachu, that was great. I was going to say I wouldn`t have thought Fitch would cause any reactions (Carefresh can in some hamsters) so using Fitch should be better.

My hybrid is always having a good old wash and scratch! They do tend to over do their cleaning regime! x

LadyPikachu · 01-12-2015, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

Glad the Pets At Home vet was able to advise you Pikachu, that was great. I was going to say I wouldn`t have thought Fitch would cause any reactions (Carefresh can in some hamsters) so using Fitch should be better.

My hybrid is always having a good old wash and scratch! They do tend to over do their cleaning regime! x

She's back to normal scratching, other than she seems to have an itchy ear now! Keeps rubbing it on her coconut! I coated her new wonderland yesterday evening, so that will be going in tonight if the fumes have all gone. Should do as it will be over 24 hours by the time she wakes up for ball time!

I feel like the belly and ear may be connected, I was told sometimes spindles in wheels can rip fur from behind the ear and aggitate the ears. Pikachu is in an 8" Trixie at the moment, still with a straight back, but just about. So this new wheel is 11". Hopefully it will stop the sore areas reappearing!

Her belly is even better still now, I think the sudocrem worked wonders in speeding up the healing, she looked happier after having it on too! My dad helped me put it on, I had to hold her with both hands while he dabbed her little tummy with a cotton bud. Just her little pink nipples showing now I think. The fur is growing back already!