Baileys bald patch am I right to be worried. - Page 2

LancashireLass · 10-11-2016, 11:47 PM

Thank you Cypher x. I'm pleased to say Bailey was more like his cheeky self last night but it's a bit of a battle in getting him to take his anti-biotics and I'm dreading next Tuesday as I have to take him back to the vets. It did upset me as I've never seen a hammy so stressed i was so worried for him last night and wondered had I done the right thing. My other half, who didn't think it was a good idea admitted that I was right to take him. I will keep you posted on his progression. I'm Also concerned as to how he caught the infection.

Ll

cypher · 10-12-2016, 12:32 AM

Good to hear he's getting over the stress & back to his cheeky self now

I wouldn't be concerned about him catching an infection, I would imagine that if he rubbed the area he may have broken the skin & bacteria are always everywhere so it's understandable that it became infected, it doesn't mean there's anything you need to clean away or that something nasty has got into his cage.

How are you giving the meds?
Most people find hams take it most easily on a tiny amount of soft food like porridge or baby food, something they really like then they don't seem to notice the meds are there!

Hope he heals quickly & the stress is soon over for all of you.

LancashireLass · 10-13-2016, 11:14 AM

Hi Bailey doesn't like taking his med and he is a little wriggler, I tried to put it on a small piece of Strawberry and he refused it, but I came down this morning and it had gone so I'm thinking it worked, tonight its Banana, he likes that.

I never knew a Hammy could pull a face but he really didn't like that syringe.

LL

Thin Lizzy · 10-15-2016, 05:46 AM

Lol! Yes they do make some strange faces! If you make each day a different treat, then it'll make the antibiotics easier to take.

LancashireLass · 10-16-2016, 11:11 PM

Hi I have to admit I'm concerned for Bailey his fur seems to be thinning a bit more on his back, even my other half has agreed with me. But what's also worrying me is that his behaviour has changed, he is suddenly drinking more, and using his potty corner more. Also his eating and drinking behaviour has changed and this is confusing me as he used to only take food what he needed and was quite selective, suddenly, this week he has started to completely empty his food bowl, only leaving the brown pellets that no hamster likes. He has also started drinking more, he is just over 12 months old and I'm worried for him. He is still active and loves his Bailey playtime in the evening and now in the morning so I'm not concerned in that way. I have to take him back to the vet tomorrow so I will see what he says.

LL

cypher · 10-17-2016, 01:34 AM

It's always a concern when they drink noticeably more than usual but it can have quite a few different causes that may or may not be related to the fur loss, wait & see what the vet has to say & take it from there as there's no point trying to guess really.
Hope it goes ok at the vet & keep us posted.

LancashireLass · 10-17-2016, 03:34 AM

Thank you Cypher xxxx his next appointment is tomorrow night I will keep you posted.

LL

Coco61 · 10-17-2016, 04:48 AM

Like cypher said, increased drinking is a concern but could have several causes. Mocho has started virtually emptying his bowl in the last days and he never did that before. It could be due to the colder weather and the instinct to build up a winter hoard.
As to the fur loss, where is it? In the healthcare section here I started a short thread called Mocho's fur loss in early Sept. I posted some pix and then went to the vet. Today Is his review and when I dig him out I intend to take some new pix as I believe his coat has improved. I will post these and also the vet advice on his main thread.
If Mocho has cushings as we believe,(after a blood test) then I am hoping it has been caught early enough that the meds are helping to hold back the symptoms. I have an exotics vet that I trust absolutely and he has treated this before. Also he treated for mites just in case but it would also help to stop them as his immune system weakened.
I give Mocho linseeds in his food every other day which disappear and also hang a Vitacraft Kracker for hair (fur I assume!) for hamsters. I have Evening Primrose Oil standing by but have not used it yet as the review is important first.
You can read about how Mocho gets his meds on the main thread but I can help here. It is the treatment for dogs, diluted 25% water and then 0.03ml which is one drop only. I mix it in babyfoods, porridge tor wheatgerm after he turned his nose up at kitten food which was suggested by breeders.

Thin Lizzy · 10-17-2016, 09:13 PM

Hope all goes well at the vet.

LancashireLass · 10-19-2016, 02:28 PM

Hi Everyone,

Thank you for all your comments, I do have a Bailey update, we went to the vet last night and the good news is they have said his fur is growing back, although it looks the same to me. He does have a small mark on his back and been recommended to clean it once a day with tepid salt water and he has been given another week of antibiotics (oh joy) and we have to go back next week, which I'm not looking forward to, I can only imagine what poor Bailey is thinking and it is the equivalent of someone. Waking me up at 2am to go to the doctors and it's not nice, but needs must. I have also bought him some Linseeds /flax seeds which he loves it's adorable how he licks them out of my hand he's so cute.

Anyway I will keep you posted on his progress and once again, thank you.

LL