Clive - Page 15

Ria P · 09-17-2022, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cloudy

I can imagine a hamster trying to chew it up or covering it with bedding so we cannot see what they are doing.

There was a programme that followed the lives of rabbits. They had all this amazing footage of their burrows. Then they revealed it was a custom made habitat and they were able to install cameras before the rabbits arrived.

Oh! I have seen footage of wild Robos but maybe they were staged as well.

cloudy · 09-17-2022, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

Oh! I have seen footage of wild Robos but maybe they were staged as well.

I actually have a feeling they were. It is most disappointing!

Ria P · 09-17-2022, 03:55 PM

After saying all that earlier i had a good look at Clive under the light tonight. The skin looks healthy but i think he looks even bolder so i'm going to take him to the vet.

cloudy · 09-18-2022, 02:17 AM

I hope the vet visit goes well.

Ria P · 09-20-2022, 02:11 PM

Thanks. Couldn't get an appointment with one of the two hamster knowledgeable vets until Monday but it's not an emergency and i didn't want to see one of the other vets.

Clive's very annoyed because i'm keeping them in separate playgrounds with their own toys for now.
I'm really curious to hear what the vet thinks.

Clive's as lively as ever and currently hopping around me, trying to climb up to attempt a jump over the devider. Had to move myself away because Jack's running around on the other side.

cloudy · 09-20-2022, 02:34 PM

It is really good to hear Clive is full of beans.

Ria P · 09-26-2022, 02:51 AM

I warned the vet that Clive is highly strung and very vocal but doesn't bite. True to himself, Clive squealed and squawked loudly while she examined him.
She also thinks its hormonal and a problem with his endocrine system or a seasonal moult. She's ruled out mites, ringworm etc because there are no indications of that. She did mention cushings but said that alopecia on both sides usually happens in the later stages and that there would be other symptoms as well.
Good thing is that i can let Clive free roam in the spare room as well. I've kept the hamsters in seperate playgrounds and they are not happy.

Ria P · 09-26-2022, 02:58 AM

I told the vet that i'd be happy to wait and see for a while because some patches are starting to show a thin covering of fur and Clive is not affected at all. He lost his hair and good looks for now but that doesn't matter as long as he's well in himself.
I also suspect that he has been very poorly bred and maybe he's the result of a pairing that wasn't compatible. They do breed hairless hamsters. Maybe he's a werewolf hamster!
Does this sound absurd or plausible? Happens with guinea pigs.

Ria P · 09-26-2022, 03:05 AM

Vet is going to contact the big exotics hospital for advice because she's a bit puzzled as well.
I could go directly to the exotics hospital but their fees are astronomical. Before Romy had her scan, vet and i talked about surgery should it be pyometra.
Their quote was £260. Same as i paid for Clarissa's surgery. The quote for pyometra surgery at the exotics hospital was £800 - £900.

cloudy · 09-26-2022, 03:09 AM

It could very well be Clive has some hairless genes. I know about werewolf guinea pigs and the mess humans have done breeding skinny pigs and crossing them with guinea pigs.

I think it is so reassuring to know it is not mites or ringworm. Did you ask the vet if he could be eating his own fur?

Gosh, that is a huge difference in price at the exotic vets! It is really great you have found a vet who understands hamsters. I had to register Orko with an exotic vet as round here non say they know anything about hamsters and say it is best to go exotic.