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

[Cinnamon Bear]

Thanks Cypher & TLizzy, agreed on freezing, vet said his mites can't live for long without a host so he can have his toys back (not worth it to me). I'll most likely freeze or replace?

TLizzy, just wondering if Archie suffered with health problems during his life (poor immune system) or just when he was older?

[cypher]

CB I may be wrong but I'm getting the impression that you don't quite understand how the immune system can easily be compromised at any life stage & how it may have nothing to do with other underlying health problems or even age but is most probably due to some kind of stress as I explained earlier in the thread there are many simple everyday things that cause stress & things that can make a ham more susceptible to stress just like us.
I still have no idea why your vet was thinking the mites were due to "bigger health problems" she wouldn't really know without testing for something, but I wouldn't go worrying about things that probably aren't there anyway, just take his treatment one step at a time.

[Pebbles82]

Hamsters naturally have mites living on them all the time. It's when there is an imbalance, or low immune system eg that an outbreak occurs and affects them. So boosting the immune system and reducing stress helps. It sounds like needing a balance between wanting to be sure they are gone, and avoiding too much cage cleaning maybe, plus immune boosting.

I also reckon not having wood items for now (especially bark wood items) is a good move, sticking to plastic and ceramic maybe, which can just be washed easily. Once the cage has been disinfected, items cleaned/frozen/sanitised and new bedding, and treatment has started it probably isn't necessary to do another cage clean until treatment has ended and then monitor.

I've seen home remedies like listerine etc recommended for head lice and they are dangerous - even for humans - with children the chemicals can be absorbed into the system through the scalp and I'd imagine similar with hamsters. Plus it has alcohol in so it's a fire risk! Not that you would, but just saw it mentioned on previous page.

It's really easy to get obsessed with wanting to get rid of parasytes - I definitely got obsessed with our moth outbreak - but it actually only took one cage disinfect - no further issues.

I hope she improves soon - it is such a pain for you and her and all the costs involved, but maybe it will improve when she has finished the current course.

There could be a bit of an itch/scratch cycle going on though, if every other day cage cleans are causing her some stress (possibly making her scratch nervously?)and/or the stress is compromising her immune system allowing mites to flourish more easily.

No easy solution I guess, just a bit of time and try not to worry

[Cinnamon Bear]

Thanks. I'm going to try your suggestions for home remedies you've given me earlier in the thread. You've both have given me suggestions, Cypher & Serendipity.

The vets are pushing the frequent cage cleanings, plus I got bit by one of those mites while cleaning without gloves, so I believe they are in the bedding. I'm not sure what to do? He doesn't seem to mind the cage cleanings. Maybe I could go every 3-4 days.

Cypher, it's true the vet has me believing he's stress from a recent move or he's sick, even said diabetes could cause this? I don't have much confidence in this vet. Won't be going back to her anymore.

[Pebbles82]

I remember you saying one bit you! Ouch. That can happen I believe. You could freeze new bedding maybe if you think that might be the problem. If it's a full clean and disinfect then maybe once a week?

[Cinnamon Bear]

Yeah, I'm pretty sure it was a mite that fell off Koala, or something similar to that? The bedding is the same for all 6 hamsters. The bite did hurt & it was only one bite, I was afraid at first of it being contagious to humans but it wasn't. I can't Imagine how much Koala must be suffering with more than one on him?

He does seem better, he's got 2 more weeks to go. Then he will have been treated for four weeks. I have to pry his mouth open and give him his dose. We are both getting used to this. It's getting easier the more I practice this. Koala gets lots of treats afterwards every time

[Pebbles82]

Fingers crossed for the next 2 weeks. If the bedding is the same for all the hamsters then it's not coming from the bedding. Assume it's a non allergenic bedding as well.(Carefresh isn't it you have?) Oops I just sounded like Yoda in that last sentence!

[Cinnamon Bear]

Yep I use Carefresh

You just gave me an idea, since mngt approved my hamsters I could buy aspen wood chips when the Carefresh runs out. I have many bags still from last year black Friday 1/2 off Carefresh sale. This year I won't buy so much. Happy that it's lasting a long time though!

[Jazza1970]

Hi, the most I have spent on a hamster is £90 to have a leg amputated. She is now doing fine and is a Russian dwarf!

[Cinnamon Bear]

Looked that up that about $120 un US dollars. Glad your hammie is doing well!