Moulting hamster?

[Ria P]

Clive has been changing colour ever since i got him at 3 months old and he's now 11 months.
He started off dark grey with a cream tail end, undercoat and underside and he's a sable. He then changed to brown and cream and then started to get patchy going lighter all the time.
His behaviour and habits haven't changed, maybe he's a little calmer but he's still a highly strung and very vocal hamster.

His fur is thinner around his scent glands and he looks like he's going through a moult.

He doesn't scratch, the skin looks healthy and there's no redness or scabs or dry skin so i'm ruling out mites, an allergy or skin desease.

Now of course i'm wondering if this is simply a moult or is he genetically hugely disadvantaged or maybe i'm seeing this all wrong and i should take him to the vet?

Has anyone experienced anything like this with a Syrian hamster before?

[Pebbles82]

Hm - he does have the odd baldy patch doesn't he? Yes I did have something like that with Newt when he was about a year old. He looked very mangy and had huge bald patches. I was quite worried. However it was just a moult and it all grew back again. But I started giving him a pinch of linseeds daily and that helped it grow back quick and stay furry too! I would keep an eye on it, and give him Linseeds. It might just go away again. If it doesn't, then maybe it is something.

[Ria P]

I've always given all hamsters a daily pinch of linseeds. I think it was you who mentioned this in the first place ages ago and i've stuck to it ever since.

I think Clive is a bit "weedy" and more suspectible to ailments and intolerances than more robust hamsters.
I've noticed that when he had soft poops from the leafy veg. The others were fine but i've cut them out now. Much to my OH's delight who did not like the spinach in his spagbol.

I'm just wondering if i should supplement Clive's diet with extra protein or/and give him a probiotic to support his gastric system. I got the Dr S potent brew.

He could have a problem with his endocrine system but for now i'll wait and see in case it is just a moult.
Did you take Newt to the vet or wait and see? Yes, it is very worrying.

[sushi_78]

It could be the early stages of a hormonal issue like Cushings disease (the symmetrical pattern can point to a hormonal problem). But it could also just be a strange moult, in which case it would resolve in a few weeks.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by sushi_78

It could be the early stages of a hormonal issue like Cushings disease (the symmetrical pattern can point to a hormonal problem). But it could also just be a strange moult, in which case it would resolve in a few weeks.

Yes, i was thinking of Cushings as well.

[Pebbles82]

We all have that awful thought of Cushings when we see a bald patch, but it's apparently quite rare in hamsters and there are many reasons for hair loss.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

We all have that awful thought of Cushings when we see a bald patch, but it's apparently quite rare in hamsters and there are many reasons for hair loss.

That's true. Thank you.

[sushi_78]

I've just remembered that my old Syrian Kebab had some thinning fur around his scent glands a couple of months and I was worried about Cushings disease but it grew back. So maybe it can be just one of those things.

[Ria P]

Yes, Henry had quite big bald patches around his scent glands from time to time but Clive's looks different.

What confuses me is that i read a sable hamster's hair has cream coloured roots and the rest is brown but part of Clive's fur is now cream. He looks almost like he rubbed the brown part off. He throws himself against the skirting boards scenting when he's out but that wouldn't affect his coat, surely.
The fur on his neck has gone back to the original grey but his face is still brown.

[Ria P]

I can't be sure of his age either and can only go by what i was told by the family who wanted rid of him.