Balding rear end - any ideas?

[lisliannli]

My friend's hamster, Truffle, has started to go bald around her rear end; she is also becoming quite swollen around this area. It doesn't appear to be tender, as she doesn't object to it being touched, but it is quite red. In herself, she is still very lively and active. Does anyone have any ideas what might be wrong, or if it is anything that might need treatment?

[ellisyellis]

hiya,

poor little hammy. is that the only bald area? how is the rest of her coat? is it thick or thinning? she may have mites which the vet can give treatment for. the skin does look irritated. is she scratching? also shes not peeing in her bed is she and getting wet or anything? hope somebody else may have some more possible ideas. skin mites would be my guess. could you show us a pic of the rest of the hamster? thanks and good luck. x

[souffle]

That looks really quite sore and there is complete fur loss on the tummy. I think she needs to see a vet to rule out something like mites or an allergy. You could change her bedding to plain white loo roll ripped up small as this is pretty non allergenic.
Other causes apart from mites would be hormonal problems and a disease called Cushing's disease. There is an article on this in the WIKI.
I hope she gets to see the vet and there is something he can give her to help

[lisliannli]

Thanks for your replies, the hair is actually growing back now but it still looks puffy so ill prob take her to the vet in case. She seems well in herself still, sitting enjoying some spinach right now and trying to escape. I just had a good feel of the sweelling and there is at least 3 separate soft lumps.
Hopefully the vet can do something!