Itching

danielle · 10-15-2009, 01:41 PM

Hi everyone- I'm a bit perplexed as to what's wrong with my Syrian Lucybelle. She'd been scratching more than usual and her fur looked a bit patchier than usual so I treated her with mites treatment (the one which you use 3 times over a 4 week period) last Friday. However, her itchiness appears to be getting worse and she's been trying to rub her back against her wheel and on the floor. When I've used the mites treatment before, it's been virtually instantaneous so I'm disappointed that Lucy is still in discomfort. Might it be something else entirely? She has been particularly smelly for almost a week now- which is longer than she should be in season for, no? Might this be related at all?
Any ideas gratefully received!

Thanks!

souffle · 10-16-2009, 02:30 AM

I think you need to see a vet with her Lucibelle.
Does she have a discharge with the smelliness? She may have an infection or a hormonal issue. Is there any swelling on her tummy?
Mites will flare up when the hamster is unwell with another illness and is immuno-compremised. These are harder to treat as the hammy is already fighting another infection for example.
Some other diseases can cause the itching and patchy fur like kidney or liver problems, hormonal issues, Cushings disease and she needs to be checked out by a vet.

**babyboos** · 10-16-2009, 04:01 PM

sounds like a second opinion is needed please seek a vet's advise as soon as you can

danielle · 10-17-2009, 04:22 AM

Thanks guys. Heading to the vet today.

danielle · 10-17-2009, 07:57 AM

So.. the vet couldn't feel any swellings and couldn't smell anything which suggested a bacterial infection so thinks that Lucy might have cystitis and has given me some baytril and told me to continue with the mites treatment. I've just given her the first dose of baytril which she took with curiosity (being pretty much omnivorous and a big food lover

) only to be horrified by the taste and proceed to try and wipe her mouth on the surrounding sawdust/bedding/chin sand. Could be tricky with tomorrow's dose!

Bunsey · 10-17-2009, 09:06 AM

it can be tricky. We basically force ours. You just have to locate the mouth and push the syringe into the side (in the gap between teeth) and slowly squirt it in (not too quick in case they choke). then they're all like "blurrgh" and try to spit it out, poor beggers

leedsgurl · 10-17-2009, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunsey

it can be tricky. We basically force ours. You just have to locate the mouth and push the syringe into the side (in the gap between teeth) and slowly squirt it in (not too quick in case they choke). then they're all like "blurrgh" and try to spit it out, poor beggers

That's so funny! I remember having to do this for 10 babies and their mum everyday... and they all did this!

Don't they realise we're trying to make them better?