Hamster fur prob.....?

Question

One of my hamsters is about 14 months old, and yesterday I noticed a patch of her skin and her fur had come away. The fur that's come off has not completely come off, and it's scabby around the edges, but it's still attached. This morning there is another bit coming off. Does anybody know what may be wrong with her? She's a syrian hamster she is booked in at the vet tomorrow. Apart from this, she's been perfectly healthy. She's still eating and drinking as usual and still as active as always and doesn't seem to be to bothered about her problem.

Answer 1

this  happened to me she may be alirgecit to the bedding that's what my hamster was i changed the bedding and her fur started to grow back !

hope i could help you!

Answer 2

doesnt sound so bad.... might just be old age. yeah, taking her to the vet is good.

Answer 3

Hello what you have just described is a typical sign of ring worm, this where the fur will be missing in patches, and although the centres will be relatively normal skin. Around the edges will be scaly, or scabby. Despite its name ringworm is not a worm or parasite but a fungus, ringworm is a fungal infection of the skin. The correct term for ringworm infection is (Dermatophytosis.)

Dermatophytosis is caused by a group of fungi known as dermatophytes which have the ability to utilize keratin as a nutrient source. These organisms can cause diseases such as ringworm. Although this is very rare in hamsters it is not uncommon. Cats are the most common carriers, so if you have a cat or any other animals, I would get them checked out. Cats can harbour the disease without showing any symptoms, especially kittens. Keep your hands off any other animals until you are certain you know what it is, if it is what I suspect, it is highly contagious. Don’t handle any others without washing your hands thourally with a fungicidal hand wash, and keep them well apart until you are sure of what it is, and it is cleared.

The patches are typically round, hence the ringworm, but can be irregularly shaped. The edges are red and scaly. The centres may be a little bit scaly, but look normal in all other respects. If you observe any animal to have small scaly patches, with small rings of fur loss it is more than likely they have ringworm. There are four fungal species that can cause ringworm, and an accurate diagnosis of the infecting organism is essential. Avoid touching the infected areas of the fungus, infection can be spread by hand. Treatment with griseofulvin is often recommended, but it does not work well with an already established infection.

This is sometimes used together with a wash called Malaseb. These spores are microscopic which are then released into the environment from the fungi. They can become active again when conditions become favourable, and can survive for extended periods of time. The fungal spores have the potential to live in bedding or carpeting for up to 2 years. So everything will need to be cleaned, the spores can be killed with a diluted chlorine bleach solution. No doubt your vet will give you the necessary advice.

Answer 4

She may have flieas, and might be biteing herself, it's good that you are takeing her to the vet tommorow. best of luck!!!!!!!

Answer 5

this happened to my friends  older hamsters. hamsters only live1-2 maybe 3 years, depending on the breed. But if you are worried take her to the vet, thats the best way to go.