Strange White Mold HELP!

[Maverich21]

I have discovered on my Russian Dwarfs Sand Box, and the Food-shelf where his food and water bowl are, there was this very thin hair-whispy, cobwebby-like material growing !!

I then discovered there was a patch of this thin growth on a wall closest to where his Sand Bowl is (coincidence?)...with actual sterilized sandbox sand in sand box.

What is this white cobweb-like substance? Is it dangerous?

I immediately cleaned his food dish, thoroughly soaked it in hot water,
dried it, and put out fresh food. Did same for his water dish.

I washed down his bin walls as a temporary measure.

I need to get some vinegar and hope that help controls this problem.

IS THIS GROWTH SERIOUS? What is it?

His Lordship Sir Bartholomew, Professor of Hamstery's activities appear to be perfectly normal! (approximately 5.5 months old now).

He is active in late-evening and early morning hours!
He continues to eat, drink regularly!
His poop appears normal shape and consistency!

I have tried ordering new bags of Carefresh from Amazon, appears they are back-ordered! So we are looking elsewhere.

I will FULLY replace ALL bedding material, and do my best to clear interior walls of bin, with vinegar, and as a last-resort diluted bleach if that becomes necessary. I can probably get another 90 quart Bin from walmart, and wash out and use that temporarily, until we find out what this White Whispy Hairy Growth is, and how to avoid it, or control it!

I was not informed about this problem BEFORE using a Plastic Bin as a cage!
It was never an issue I saw on youtube either! I sure wish { HINT! } someone would do a youtube video on this issue!

So please help me sort this out, thanks!

I could post photos but apparently we are not allowed.

//maverich21//

[Scargirl]

Maybe it was mold? Is the air moist or something like that in the room where he is?

[souffle]

It may be an idea to test him for diabetes. The white mould stuff will often grow in urine that has sugar in it so you need to test him. There is some info here about diabetes in hamsters : http://vectishams.webs.com/diabetesinhamsters.htm

[flowerfairy]

Is the bin cage well ventilated?

Sounds like the diabetes thing is well worth looking into.

[Maverich21]

If it were something from his urine:

1) That would explain perhaps why TOP of this Sand Box had this growth.
2) Would explain why TOP of his food-shelf would have this growth.
3) Might explain why growth was on the one side of the wall facing out into room?
That area is also closest to his Sand bath.

From my observations, I would say:

Does NOT: Drinking excessively (He drinks from a shallow bowl, theres plenty of water)
No, I don't think so: Urinating more often and larger amounts (urine may smell like nail polish remover)
No. : Increased appetite
No loss of weight. Looks Normal : Sudden weight loss or gain
Is active MOST days; some days he just sleeps in a little longer, but is still active: Sleeping more than usual or excessive exercise
Absolutely NO BITING, do not think he's "irritable" : Irritability, or unusual biting
I have noticed him "Blink" on *rare* occasions; not regularly: ‘Squinty’ eyes when awake
I don't think so. : Hunched posture

I will just have to observe him best I can.

//maverich21//

[cypher]

My first thought was diabetes but if he's not showing any signs then it may be something that's got into the cage, food, substrate, it's hard to tell.

Thoroughly clean everything, if you do use vinegar make sure to rinse really well as the smell can upset them, maybe get a fresh bag of food in case anything in that is a bit off, make sure you have plenty of ventilation in the bin & keep a close eye out for the same thing happening again, if it does I would test for diabetes even if he doesn't appear to be showing symptoms.

[Maverich21]

Monday, Dec 14th our area had nearly 70F... it was after this remarkable Dec heatwave I noticed this white-growth forming on walls and surfaces of objects in his 110qt Bin.

So we have: Higher temps than usual, I did have a Window open actually, and fact that maybe such a large bin could trap more urine than is safe!?!

I change his water frequently, and follow rule that food dish should be changed no more than every 4 days! The food does not appear to look or smell any different than before!
Dwarf Hamster Formula and Vita-Smart mixed together.

Someone suggested it could have been fuzz/lint -like material dredged up as Bartholomew ran around his cage; got attached to his feet and somehow managed to spread that way. But I have never seen such a thing as this thin film ever before.

Last night, although being placed into a brand new smaller but much more manageable bin, he did appear to adjust well. Running, jumping, a little drinking, and eating.
He shallow water dish has plenty of water in it! He is not drinking excessively at all.

10:30am and he is showing signs of his settling down behavior, preparing for a long afternoon nap. Nothing unusual. No strange odors in his new bin at all! Bartholomew is
not biting or nipping at me. He responds to my voice. Seems entirely normal.

Whatever this strange thing is, I hope it left nothing behind. I will continue to monitor closely of course.

Thanks everyone for your concern.

//maverich21//