Helping mites?

SaltnPepper · 08-24-2015, 11:59 AM

Hello there, I have two dwarf hamsters and I think they may have mites. They are very itchy but I haven't noticed any hair loss. I was reading online about ordering Ivermectin to treat the mites.

I found this treatment online, http://www.amazon.com/Beaphar-Hamste.../dp/B007W98R70 ,

I have a couple questions, has anyone had success using this treatment? Does it have enough doses to clear the mites (per hamster,I would buy 2 packages of it for them both.)

Thanks in advance!

SaltnPepper · 08-24-2015, 02:26 PM

?? anyone??

Nancy's Hamsters · 08-24-2015, 03:02 PM

Sadly we in the USA can't answer your question as we don't have it here.
I will bump this up and hopefully some from the UK who have used this product can help with your question.

Piebald · 08-24-2015, 03:14 PM

cypher and racinghamster usually come on in the mornings and can probably help. I'm sure that question has been asked before so you might want to try a forum search for the drug name in the meantime.

cypher · 08-24-2015, 11:10 PM

I have some of that just in case but have never needed it thankfully so I can't say how effective or safe it is tbh, personally if I suspected mites I'd go to the vet for a check before using it & preferably let them advice on what's best to use & how to use it, especially with dwarfs being so tiny you do need to be careful.

racinghamster · 08-25-2015, 04:14 AM

Hi SaltnPepper. If your looking for an online product, I would advise Xeno50 mini. It`s proper Ivermectin in pipettes that your vet would use and the product comes with a very good dosing chart. The Beaphar product does contain Ivermectin but I recommend the Xeno50 mini as a better product. I know for mice, the basic Beaphar spot on sold generally in pet shops for Syrian hamsters and gerbils can`t be used on mice that weight less than 50 grams. Dwarf hamsters will be heavier than mice, but given I had to email Beaphar for this information sais it all really.

Having said that, you need to first establish why your hamsters are itchy. Have any of their cage products been changed recently like substrate or bedding? Diet, is that the same or have you added anything to it?

Mites are microscopic and symptoms can be irritability and obsessive scratching (unlike the normal ablutions hamsters do!) and small scabs/cuts can appear around the face/head/neck/shoulders from scratching. Patchy hair loss around these areas can also happen.

I agree though with cypher regarding seeing your vet if it`s something you feel they could treat and properly diagnose. They use the same spot on treatment, but the vet can also look at the fur and overall behaviour. Do come back and perhaps give a bit more information about their habitat and any changes made. x

Edited to add: I see you are in the US, but still do a search online for the Xeno50 mini product anyway. The Beaphar one you linked to is the one sold here in the UK in stores like Pets At Home and is not for use on dwarf hamsters, only Syrians and gerbils. x

Nancy's Hamsters · 08-25-2015, 05:35 AM

If in the USA go to Petsmart and pick up a can of the spray on Fiproguard spray for Cats and Kittens. It's safe to use directly on the hamster(all speices) and can be sprayed about the cage to kill any mites which may travel away from the cage and into the wood or carpeted floor.

This is what I use when mice bring in mites here, and am VERY pleased with the results.
I now use it only around the stands which hold all my bins once every two weeks to keep the hamstery and my two Guinea Pigs mite free.

SaltnPepper · 08-30-2015, 07:07 PM

Hi again. I am in Canada and could not find any Xeno50 that would ship to Canada. I noticed their itching when I first adopted them in which they went from a wire cage to an aquarium, and a different brand of seed mix. I have just started to try to get them to eat oxbow pellets. They had a short period of time living in Pine bedding until I read the dangers (1week or so). Now they are in Aspen. Would applying Aloe Vera gel straight from the plant be safe to try to relive their itch? Thanks.

Bbhami · 08-30-2015, 09:04 PM

You could try to ask the vet help identify what mites they have as the sarcoptic mites also bite humans. Also you need to make sure the mites die during the course of treatment or they will keep going back. I had to clean and disinfect cage while one of my robos was getting treatment.

racinghamster · 08-31-2015, 01:11 AM

It may not be mites at all it could be allergy or a reaction to beddings being changed. I always say if a hamster is fine on the substrate and diet they are on, any change should be made gradually or not at all. What were these two on before you changed anything? It might be wise to switch back again and see if there is any improvement, although Aspen is usually fine, the diet might not be. Roborovski hamsters do well on a good commercial hamster mix rather than a pelleted food. What were they fed on previously that you had to change? x