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Old 07-22-2021, 03:38 PM   #1
bertieboo101
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Default Black patches on my hammy!

Hello! I’m new here and I’ve had hamsters for years. This forum has helped me a lot in the past so thought I’d join!

I noticed my hamster, Bertie, has suddenly got black patches on his back and one on his face? On his back it’s a large patch and then on his face it’s a small dot. I know it’s not scent glands (I’ve had that panic already!!) but wondered if anyone knew what this was?
He is perfectly normal, running on his wheel, eating and not itching too much. I don’t think he’s got any hair loss? I had to move hair out the way to get a good look at his patches. I noticed he looked a bit sweaty/messy but it’s 32 degrees at the moment so thought it might be the heat or where I was touching him too much!!

Does anyone know what this could be? (I’ve been trying to add pictures but no idea how)
Thank you x
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Old 07-22-2021, 05:26 PM   #2
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Black patches on my hammy!

Hello, do you mean skin discolouration? Is Bertie a Syrian? The scin can be the same colour as the fur in some patterns or are they raised lumps?

To add a picture, click the "go advanced" button under the xomment boz and there is an attachment bit there
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Old 07-24-2021, 01:26 PM   #3
bertieboo101
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Default Re: Black patches on my hammy!

Hey there! Thank you for your response

He is a black and white Syrian, about 1.5 years old
I wouldn’t say they are lumps as I had to move his hair out the way to get a proper look. He has one small patch on his eye that is quite noticeable and seems to have lost a bit of hair

For some reason it keeps saying all my files and URLS fail so I’ll put a link below for the pictures and hopefully that will work
Thanks for your help!

Pin on Bertie

Pin on Bertie

Pin on Bertie
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Old 07-24-2021, 01:39 PM   #4
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Black patches on my hammy!

Hello

Bertie isn't black and white, he looks quite golden/brown? Looks like he has he has pattterned ears which is common on patterned hammies and I can't quite tell without a full body photo but it all looks like the darker patches are part of the colouring pattern.My brain isn't on colour mode atm!

I agree there is some fur loss, it could be age related but it may be worth getting some beaphar spot on to rule out some mites

The patch on the eye could be from rubbing against things but the patch on the neck is more common with mites

If it continues to get worse a vet visit to rule out anything else would be worth while
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Old 07-25-2021, 12:07 PM   #5
bertieboo101
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Default Re: Black patches on my hammy!

Heya
He has a bit of brown but I think some of it may have been the flash! His ears are adorable! I just know that these marks weren’t there before

It’s so hard to tell isn’t it.. I read somewhere that it could just be pigmentation on his skin due to age, but still worried

I shall look into the mites route and keep an eye.. he isn’t itching more than normal but then I don’t see him an awful lot!

Thanks for your help - plus your pic is adorable x
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Old 07-25-2021, 12:33 PM   #6
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Black patches on my hammy!

Black can brown with age, he may be sable banded, does he have paler eye rings?

The patches do look like skin pigmentation and as fur thins you may notice it more,

Look at the sable banded hamster here

Syrian Hamster Varieties - Harvey Hams

If you are worried a vet trip can help rule out any worries, with mites they are internal and so small and don't always cause itching
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Old 07-26-2021, 01:46 AM   #7
bertieboo101
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Default Re: Black patches on my hammy!

Oooh after looking at them pictures he definitely is. Yeah he has white round rings round his eyes!

I had another look last night and I think it is. I pulled the hair apart quite a bit as he stayed still and it seemed that it was darker hair at the bottom by his skin, whereas on the top it was white.. that’s what I was so confused. There is definitely some real small black pigmentation on his skin but I think most of the dark colour is from his hair root?! Still not sure about the one by his eye but maybe it’s age or like you said nibbling at something

I’ll investigate the mites! Thank you for your help
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Old 07-26-2021, 04:45 AM   #8
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: Black patches on my hammy!

Sables can be quite dark black/brown but they rust with age and as the hair thins it can also fade down the root shaft. The eye rings are a big tell tale and the banding (the splogdy whitte bits) can pattern the ears.

Im pretty confident it is just skin pigments and nothing to worry about but obviously if you are worried a vet trip wouldnt harm

They can rub faces between bars or on certain areas or overgroom areas that can wear away little patches too
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