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07-27-2021, 02:02 PM
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#1
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 135
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Dwarf hybrid losing fur.
Hi Winter is losing his fur on both sides. It started about 2 months ago. I took him to the vets who gave him a treatment for mites. It had ti be given to him 3 times 2 weeks apart each time. Since then he has lost even more and both sides from his head onwards look red and raw. I have another appointment next Wednesday. He looks like he's loosing his fur on his face now too. Has anyone had this happen to their hamster. He's 11 months old. Thanks
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07-27-2021, 02:31 PM
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#2
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 8,031
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Re: Dwarf hybrid losing fur.
Hello
Fur loss can be down to a number of things
Mites tends to be the first port of call to treat for. You could ask the vet to do a skin scraping which would confirm mites and he may need an injectable form of ivermectin
Is it possible to get an appointment sooner? I'd be inclined to phone the vet and sey it is much worse and he is in distress. It can make them poorly and more likely to be infected if it is red and raw.
Cushings is also a disease, more common in older hamsters, which characteristically has fur loss. However, as you say it looks red and raw i'm more inclined to believe it is a skin condition.
I hope he can get some relief soon. You may ask the vet for some metacam (pain relief) for him also
Keep us updated and good luck
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07-27-2021, 02:55 PM
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#3
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 135
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Re: Dwarf hybrid losing fur.
Thankyou. I did phone the vets to try and get winter seen earlier but there's no appointments. The receptionist suggested a vet phone me so im going with that at the moment. Hopefully once I've spoken ti them they will see him. I'm worried it will be infected by then so will ask if they can't see hime earlier if they can give him something metacam is a goid idea(I may have some left over from out last hamster who died of a tumour recently. Do you think baytil will help to prevent an infection? I think a skin scraping a good idea and will ask them to do that if they dont suggest it. How do I know if its cushings? Does it make the skin red? I find vets dont seem to know a lot about small animals like hamsters/gerbils. So any help would be great.Thanks
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07-27-2021, 03:10 PM
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#4
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 8,031
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Re: Dwarf hybrid losing fur.
I know vet appointments are hard to get at present but with it getting worse and being red, then you need to just really push it. Don't downplay anything, otherwise they will prioritise certain conditions over others. It soudns awful, without seeing a photo I can't comment, but the way you describe it sounds like it is very incomfortable and it will take a strain on them trying to fight it.
There is a whole thread on cushings in the health section.
I wouldn't self medicate as it is based on weight and also the staorage of metacam can effect it.
It isn't a good idea to give baytril as a preventitive measure as it makes it less effective, if it is mites than an antibitice shouldn't be needed, as antibs can bring their own set of complications such as stomach upsets.
A skin scraping isn't always needed, it would show demodex mites though which can be a more widespread skin irritation and loss, which is what I was maybe thinking.
Wait until you speak to the vet, perhaps they will ask for pictures.
I hope you can get it sorted asap. Small exotics are hard to come by unfortunately!
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07-30-2021, 03:19 AM
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#5
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 135
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Re: Dwarf hybrid losing fur.
Hi so I spoke to the vet who decided to do a skin scrape. He doesn't have mites. She thinks the skin condition is presenting as a lymphoma. She has give him palliative care. He's on loxicam for however long he has. I have to measure his water intake for the next few days just incase it is cushings(I think thats the reason anyway) I would rather it's that than lose him now either way its not looking good for him. I just wish I could do more.
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08-01-2021, 11:43 AM
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#6
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Birmingham
Posts: 8,031
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Re: Dwarf hybrid losing fur.
Hello,
I'm glad you have a diagnosis but so sorry to hear that.
I hope the loxicom helps, however, they can sometimes be a bit harsh on their digestive system.
It's alsways hard with palliative care and knowing when to say goodbye. He will let you know when he isn't comfortable any more.
Sending you many hugs
__________________
Feel free to ask me about rat advice too
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08-01-2021, 02:41 PM
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#7
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 135
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Re: Dwarf hybrid losing fur.
Thankyou. I'm hoping it eases his pain. Just one question I noticed in that sudacream was used for a sore hammy with cushings. Would it be OK for mine. Anything that will help with his sore skin would be great. Thanks.
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08-01-2021, 02:45 PM
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#8
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Hamster Pup
Join Date: Jun 2016
Posts: 135
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Re: Dwarf hybrid losing fur.
Just a thought how much do dwarf hamsters generally drink. Winter seems to be drinking 10ml a night. Thanks
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