Sudden fur loss

Teesoo · 06-09-2022, 03:20 PM

Hi all,

I'm hoping that someone could offer some advice on fur loss. Merlin, our Syrian is just under a year old. I didn't notice anything wrong yesterday, but this evening we noticed a bald patch, about 1cm across, at the top of his back/ back of neck area. There is also a smaller patch on his cheek. Does anyone have any suggestions what the problem might be for the bald patch to appear so suddenly? He seems fine in himself; still active as usual.

Many thanks

T

Ria P · 06-09-2022, 03:37 PM

Could he have rubbed it on something like a new hide with a small entrance?

Does the skin look ok or is it red or scratched?

Maybe you could post a photo so people can have a look.

Pebbles82 · 06-09-2022, 04:36 PM

I was wondering if he's rubbed it on anything. First thoughts were bars or under a house. Has he been bar chewing? Is there a narrow gap under his house? Yes photos would help.

Teesoo · 06-10-2022, 01:02 AM

We haven't changed anything in his cage recently. The skin looks pink; I couldn't see anything that looked like scratches. Is there an easy way to attach pictures? What I tried with the 'add picture' button didn't work.

Many thanks for your help.

cloudy · 06-10-2022, 01:26 AM

Hello Teesoo. Chesterspal made this great post about how to attach pictures:
Adding images to your post... inside your post

Teesoo · 06-10-2022, 02:00 AM

Thanks for the advice on how to upload the pictures. Learn something new every day!

[ATTACH]IMG_7142a.JPG[/ATTACH]

Ria P · 06-10-2022, 02:28 AM

What puzzles me is that the fur fell out so suddenly and so completely. I have no idea what could have caused that.

If he were my hamster, i'd get him checked by a hamster knowledgeable or exotics vet.

Teesoo · 06-13-2022, 04:56 AM

Hi all.

We got him checked and the vet says he has mites. He's been given a first treatment of Xeno 50 and is due another one in two weeks. He seems absolutely fine in himself; just keeping fingers crossed that no more patches appear.

Does it take long for the fur to grow back? I've read that flax seed is good for their coat; are there other things I can give him too?

Thanks

T

Ria P · 06-13-2022, 06:18 AM

Really? I'm a little surprised that the vet diagnosed mites because the fur loss is so localized. I suppose the vet knows best and his fur should grow back fairly quickly once the treatment starts to work.

Yes, all my hamsters get a daily pinch of brown linseeds. I buy mine at the co-op.

AmityvilleHams · 06-13-2022, 12:44 PM

Did the vet do a skin scrape? Unfortunately lots of vets improperly diagnose mites in hamsters without doing a skin scrape, and skin scrapes are an important part of a proper diagnosis. Mite treatments should only be used in cases where mites are properly tested for with a skin scrape confirming it, since the treatments are fairly toxic to hamsters and should only be used if absolutely necessary & can do a lot more harm than good in hamsters without mites.