Bar chewing injury?

[Ria P]

My rescue Syrian hamster Joe has this bump on his face.

He lived in a tiny cage that was all metal bars, the shelves were metal bars, even the access ramp was a metal spiral.

His face is like nose - dent - bump so i assumed that the bump is caused by consistent bar chewing.

He doesn't bar chew now because he has a wheel to run in, food to forage for, nests to build etc.

I'm just looking for people's opinions here in case i'm missing something.
My querie is: is the bump likely to be from bar chewing or could it be something i should get checked out by the vet?

Joe is fine with getting picked up and stroked but he doesn't like me touching his face.

[Petite]

It looks quite sore, which is presumably why he doesn't like you touching his face. It does sound as though it has been caused by consistent bar chewing. Could you see how it goes in the next few weeks now he isn't bar chewing? All might be well and he may not need a vet visit - unless you want to get something to apply to promote healing (although you may already have something like that to hand). Joe sounds happy enough in himself now he's able to do normal hamstery things.

[Ria P]

Thanks for your reply Petite.

It's not an abrasion or broken skin but maybe badly bruised and a bit swollen.
Yes, i'll see if it improves in the next few days. Haven't applied anything because he'd wash it off which would only cause him more discomfort. I could give him some Loxicom but he's so thin and i don't want to upset his system.

Yes, he seems happy enough and gathers up some speed when out free roaming but then crashes out before he makes it back to his nest.

[Pebbles82]

It does look swollen doesn’t it? I can’t tell from the photo but is it affecting his eye as well? Normally with bar chewing there would be fur loss and sore skin or scabs. But yes it could be on that area and may have healed and developed into a lump. It could possibly be an abscess though so I think I would have it vet checked as unknown cause. But not just yet if he’s only just come to you. As you say, give him a few days to settle in (or even a couple of weeks). Unless he’s showing signs of distress.

[Ria P]

No, its not affecting his eye (see photo) and hasn't gotten any bigger. Still a bit of a mistery but i'm keeping a close eye on him.

[Ria P]

I just brushed Joe and run my finger gently over his face. I think that the bump is actually fur. Weird that he would have a tuft of fur sticking up in his face though.