Thinning hair - normal sign of ageing?

chavers · 05-02-2010, 02:07 PM

I've had a good look through former posts and can't seem to find an answer so apologies if I'm going back over old ground......

Sir Alan's fur has recently got thinner in a few spots:

- glands (and darker)
- under chin, sort of between the front paws (can see the wrinkly skin)
- small patch between the shoulder blades. He did have a tiny scab here, I think he just scratched himself.
- line from front of ears to nose, under eyes. could have rubbed this a little bit while bar-chewing?

In general the pale underneath colour of his hair seems more pronounced in all places apart from round his bottom (still beautifully thick and fluffy) and on the top of his head, between the ears. He's a short-haired mink coloured rex syrian.

He's almost a year old to the day, and from what I can gather this type of change seems common with ageing - he also has the increased dark pigment on his boy-bags

He doesn't seem any different in himself, still running about, eating and all the rest of it as normal.

What do you lot think? He's my first hamster so I haven't any experience in these things yet and could do with a second opinion. Thanks in advance from me and my little boy x

fluffymunchkins · 05-02-2010, 02:12 PM

yes fur loss is a sign of ageing. It normally ocurs a little after a year, but like you said it could be a mix of bar rubbing and stuff.
Also hamsters show signs of ageing at differemt times, like my peggy whos now over 2 years but only just showing signs in recent months.
have a look on the wiki for some more info or any other symptoms you might notice

chavers · 05-02-2010, 02:28 PM

Thanks fluffy I'll have a look x

**Hope** · 05-02-2010, 03:17 PM

Yeah I think that Souffle did a thread about sent glands and boy parts getting darker with age. Ill see if I can find it . . .

Yep here it is:

Syrian Scent Glands

fluffymunchkins · 05-02-2010, 03:35 PM

I noticed porridges for the first time the other day. Even after all I've read and learnt bout scent glands I still thought it was a mole till I found the other

My lil one is all mature now XD

chavers · 05-03-2010, 01:09 AM

Thanks Hope, I read that and it did explain the scent glands but I'm still a little unsure about the hair. Underneath the neck particularly is a weird one. He's never been what you'd call a show hamster but he just looks a little older altogether really.

**Hope** · 05-03-2010, 02:47 PM

Mmmmm? I havent heard of wrinkley skin on hams before, but it might just be a normal thing??? I'm not sure on that one sorry? Perhaps Souffle could help - she knows lots of wierd but useful things!

souffle · 05-04-2010, 04:43 AM

The places you describe the fur loss are typical of age related loss. Rex hamsters in particular due the nature of the fur tend to look rather baldish when the fur is thinning. Our little babies who have rex fur look like little old men because it is just growing in

As long as he seems fit and healthy I wouldn't worry. Sometimes drooling or chewing the water spout can cause a constantly wet chin which can lead to fur loss and a wrinkly chin so it would be worth checking his teeth.

chavers · 05-05-2010, 01:34 AM

Thanks Souffle you've put my mind at rest. Our rex's really are special little boys aren't they? It was his birthday on Sunday but I thought it was today so I missed it! Never mind, I'll give him a special fuss today and he'll never know the difference

Thanks also to FM and Hope for helping me out on this one x

**Hope** · 05-05-2010, 01:43 AM

No probs Chavers!

Souffle is indeed a fountain of knowledge!