Vet costs, most you've spent on one hamster?

[cypher]

It's pretty unlikely you won't be able to get rid of the mites, it may just take some time so try not to jump ahead too much.
Why was your vet considering cushings or lymphoma, if she didn't do any tests or anything & is just making a guess then I think you may be doing the best thing by changing vet tbh!
Between the two threads I've lost track a bit of what you're doing, I think Nancy gave you some advice on cleaning cages with mite problems so I'll skip that, are you giving probiotics to help with the stress & effects of the antibiotics?
Are you giving any natural supplements like flax seeds, evening primrose oil & even brewers yeast which may help with skin/coat condition, general health & stress all of which would enable to the meds to work more effectively.

[Cinnamon Bear]

That's alot of stuff Cypher

I like to make life simple Have pending back surgery so it's difficult to get around now,

Has anybody had experience with mites that won't go away or come back later, specifically Demodex mites?

Think vet brought up a larger health problem because Demodex mites are inherited from their mothers milk & live under control throughout their lives,

Except if immune system weaken through stress or illness or old age, that what she told me anyways

[Thin Lizzy]

Mites can take longer to go with some hams, I found it an age thing.
3 injections over the space of a month and I was told by my vet that if it didn't get rid, she would do another injection. 3 was what it took for Archie.

[cypher]

I think it's been mentioned several times that mites can take time to clear & may appear to get better only to come back CB so it's not something that is always going to be resolved with one vet visit.

Your vet is right they do have mites all the time & they are normally under control but when they aren't it doesn't necessarily mean they have other serious health issues at all, I think that is rather jumping the gun unless there are other symptoms, tests that show other health problems or the mite problem does not resolve after a prolonged period of treatment.
All animals undergo stress to some extent, it's a part of everyday life just as it is for us, age can be a contributing factor but so can many other things, even a slight deficiency in diet, a change in environment, often things we can't always be sure of but there are things we can do to optimise their health & help them get better quicker when they are on meds so those things I mentioned really isn't a lot of stuff, just a few easily available supplements which needn't cost much or be hard to find but which could potentially make a really big difference.
I'm not sure about small animal probiotics in the US but I'm sure you could check that out easily enough, the other things I mentioned you could probably just pick up in a supermarket doing your grocery shop.

[AmityvilleHams]

We have BeneBac which can be purchased in store from Petco,it's just beneficial bacteria.I'll have to double check on the exact ingredients to be certain but if not I'm sure there would be another alternative!

Page Not Found I'd want a second opinion on this as I'm a little unsure.There may be a better source of pure beneficial bacteria instead from something like GNC or some other store like that.

[cypher]

I would think that would be fine Amity.

[Cinnamon Bear]

Thanks TLizzy, Cypher & Amity, Benebac is what Pet-Co put on their small animals cabbage in the stores.

Cypher, Koala was taken to a friends house immediately before he contracted mites, so it could be stress related? It's been 2 weeks as of today & he's still scratching. I have a little more medication but not much. I will look into some of the items you mentioned Cypher, a call to a health food store.

About the Benebac, he's not under stress anymore, so that might no be needed. He may be under some stress from the meds though, hmm, see what new vet prescribes, Benebac may be a good idea...

TLizzy, I wish they would give injections here. But I can see your point that sometimes it takes a long time. Can I ask how often you cleaned his cage? Also, we're they the Demodex mites?

Cypher, vet was convinced that if the mites were not cause from moving, then she said he has a bigger health problem guaranteed she said. That's why she was listing off possible illnesses. Will see if specialist vet feels the same way? Vet I'm seeing said an ultra sound would be the next step but she didn't encourage it cause it cost $300 plus much more money after that

Thinks it's a bit expensive to spend $300 on a mite problem? Between the 2 vets? Any way he can live with them or would that be cruel?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Forgot to say that I may not be successful in getting rid of mites if it's true that he has a compromised immune system, vet said anyways

She also said they could return later

[AmityvilleHams]

With a compromised immune system,which an overload of mites and so much random stress can impact,benebac would be a very good idea.It's not harmful to give something like that anyways,but it is very good during stressful periods like when you have to clean the cage so often as is the case with mites!

[Cinnamon Bear]

True, I have cabbage at home now so I'll get some Benebac for him. Thanks!