Unknown skin problem

Question
Hi Heather...I'm at my wits end, so I just thought I'd ask in the off chance you've ever come across a problem like this one. I have a long hair syrian hamster, with a very strange skin problem. He had very little hair when I brought him home from the rescue. He made improvements so that almost all of him was covered in a fuzz, still thin, but at least something. Then he lost some fur again, around his shoulders and top of his head. Next he had tiny little bumps across his shoulders with a little scab on the top of each one. Within 2 days he was covered in open leisons from say his "waist" forward, but on his back not under neath, mind you he had one on his throat. They don't bother him, he's not ichy and if he had fur you wouldn't see a difference betweeen how he acts and any other hamster. I've taken him to two vets, one is a rodent guy, neither had ever scene a skin problem like this. His weight is good, appetite good etc. One started treatment for mites, but the other did scrapings and could find no evidence of a parasite, so I stopped that. The rodent vet prescribed antibiotics in case it's some sort of systemic infection. I can't help but think it's some sort of allergy. It seems to go in cycles, he'll break out then it will heal up and a bit of fuzz grows back and then it starts again. I use carefresh (brown colour) and I tear up white unscented tissue for his bed. Could it be may be the bleach or whatever they use to make it white?? Have you come across a food alergy before?? I'm not quite sure where to start, as far as trying to eliminate things, have you ever had to sort something like this out?? Any insite would be great...you never know until you ask? Thanks for your time. If the antibiotics don't work, the next step would be a skin biopsy to see what it is. I don't really want to put the little guy through the surgery, but if it would ultimately help him, I guess I would agree. They assure me it's very minor, but does involve anesthetic (obviously that's the risk). KJ

Answer
Gosh, poor little guy. This is extremely strange, and I've never come across it before. It's sort of a blessing I've never had a severely ill hamster, but it limits my ability to help with illness questions. Since he was fine when you first got him, I'll rule out any cleaning products you used on the tank before putting him in. Skin issues are almost 9 times out of 10 bedding related, but it's cyclical nature seems to suggest otherwise. You already ruled out mites which would have been my next guess.

You've got to play detective now, change the bedding to something dye and scent free. Care fresh is usually the best for hamsters with skin allergies, but not in this case. Any organic paper products like dye free, unbleached tissues or napkins shredded up could be used as a test bedding to see if it benefits him. If not move on to food. Stop all fresh food first and focus on his dry blend. Try a simple single type pellet diet, no seed blends. The thing with those seed/dry fruits and veggie blends is there are too many variables, he could be allergic to just one piece. Have you tried giving him filtered water? You never know if it's something in your tap water he could be allergic to. If all else fails, I'd hate to blame it on genetics, but it could possibly be. Sorry I can't be of more help.