Sudden fur loss

[Pebbles82]

Agree. Did she do a skin scrape first? It "might" be mites. but the location looks like rub to me. Like he's been rubbing against or under something.

[Teesoo]

I did not go in when the vet examined him, so I don't know exactly what tests were carried out to arrive at that diagnosis, just accepted what the vet said on trust.

Assuming it is mites, and the xeno 50 is working, how soon might I see an improvement? I'm just wondering when I should start thinking about taking him to the vet again? I think the thing I'm struggling with and what bothers me is the way the patch just seemed to appear overnight. It just seems weird.

On the positive side, he still seems active and eating and drinking well, and alert.

Thanks

T

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Teesoo

I did not go in when the vet examined him, so I don't know exactly what tests were carried out to arrive at that diagnosis, just accepted what the vet said on trust.

Assuming it is mites, and the xeno 50 is working, how soon might I see an improvement? I'm just wondering when I should start thinking about taking him to the vet again? I think the thing I'm struggling with and what bothers me is the way the patch just seemed to appear overnight. It just seems weird.

On the positive side, he still seems active and eating and drinking well, and alert.

Thanks

T

Is your vet surgery still under covid restrictions?

I took a hamster to the vet this week and was allowed into the consulting room. They should at least have had a chat with you where you could have asked questions like when/if your hamster needs to come back for a follow up appointment.

I'd phone them and ask what you need to know.

[Pebbles82]

Fingers crossed the mite treatment works. Fur can be slow to grow back - but you should see some within 2 to 3 weeks. Give a pinch of linseeds daily, makes a big difference (to fur condition generally as well as growth). Usually with mites there is a lot of scratching and sore skin from scratching but it's possible I guess. It is strange it was literally overnight. You don't have any other pets do you? A cat?

[LunaTheHamster1]

I don't think anyone has asked, does the wheel have a spindle? sometimes they can catch the fur on that.
I know your vet said mites, but just thought I would mention the wheel in case too

[Teesoo]

We don't have any other pets; only the one hamster. The vet did seem to still have some Covid precautions in place, which I found a bit strange, as the restrictions were lifted some time ago, but it was an out-of-hours vet, so did not think too much of it.

That's an interesting point about his wheel. It does have a central spindle, but when I've been watching him over the past couple of days, it's not quite in the right place for the bald patch (but is close).

Thanks

T

[Teesoo]

Oops! Double post!

We don't have any other pets; only the one hamster. The vet did seem to still have some Covid precautions in place, which I found a bit strange, as the restrictions were lifted some time ago, but it was an out-of-hours vet, so did not think too much of it.

That's an interesting point about his wheel. It does have a central spindle, but when I've been watching him over the past couple of days, it's not quite in the right place for the bald patch (but is close).

Thanks

T

[Pebbles82]

Which wheel is it and what size? Good point by Luna - wheel rub is the most common cause of fur loss on the back! An 8" or smaller wheel with a spindle is likely to cause it. There are plenty of wheels without a spindle though and an 11" one shouldn't cause it even with a spindle.

[Teesoo]

His wheel is a Savic one, ~9" diameter. On the positive side, his fur seems to be starting to grow back now

[AmityvilleHams]

Unfortunately a 9 inch wheel is very small for Syrians, and they really should have a good 12 inch one. Hopefully the fur regrowth continues though!