hair loss young male syrian

Question
QUESTION: I have an approximately 9 months old Syrian hamster (rescued at 3-4 months from a pet shop where he had become obese and could hardly move in a minute cage) who has patches of hair loss on the lower back. I have tried hamster vitamins, primrose oil and yeast tablet for quite a few weeks but there is no change. It doesn't seem to get worse either. He is otherwise a bit too slim (140g) very active, loves his wodent wheel (sometimes it looks like the wheel will take off!)and has an average of 1h a day of free running in a room. By the way, I have your book on hamster health and it is the best book on hamsters I have come across, with the Hamsterloepedia.

ANSWER: Hi Caroline

Thanks for your comment about my book - I appreciate getting feedback.

Fur loss is a tricky one - hamsters do tend to lose a bit of fur when they get older especially if they get mange, but for a younger hamster, it is more likely to be hormonal or some other cause.  

Hamsters have scent glands on their hips and some hamsters do get a bit bald around these - is his baldness in this area?  If they go bald around these, you can often see a dark spot of the gland.

I had a hamster once who went completely bald - he was fine in himself, but looked a bit odd - no matter what I tried, nothing seemed to work, however.  Another hamster, that I have currently, lost almost 50% of her fur but she's grown this back - I got hold of a drug called Ivermec - vets prescribe this to treat mites/mange.  They usually put a drop on the back of the hamsters neck.  The type of Ivermec I have is one that is taken orally (just one drop).  I have given two doses of this (about 2-3 weeks apart) and the fur has grown back beautifully.  It might be worth asking your vet if you could try this.  

If your hamster isn't displaying any other signs of ill health, I wouldn't worry about his baldness.  You can build up his body weight by giving human baby food - get hold of a packet of the creamy porridge oats powdered variety.  Mix a little with water and give him this once a week.  Hamsters love this and it is full of nutrients that tend to add a bit of bulk.  Don't overfeed on this or his teeth will overgrow, but now and again as a treat, or during ill health is fine.  Don't give him milk as this is indigestible and can cause diarrhea.

Good luck with this.

Regards

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The baldness is not around the hip spots but rather on the back quite high on the left side of the spine. The skin is clean and smooth so I didn't think it could be mites. I also have 3 other hamsters who share in turn the playing grounds and they are fine. I will ask the vet about Ivermec orally but I am not sure he will give it to me if he doesn't see evidence of mites! I usually give my hamsters a little bit of porridge 3 times a week. Is it better to give the baby porridge version?
Thanks for your help.

ANSWER: Hi

Ordinary porridge is fine - but the baby porridge I think contains added nutrients and might be easier to digest. If you are making porridge for them - make it with water, or just give the raw porridge oats.   Sorry to hear your vet isn't happy about prescribing Ivermec.  Whereabouts do you live?  Are  you in the UK?  If so, there are rodentologists around the country who might be able to have a look at your hamster and suggest a treatment.  They're not vet qualified and therefore are restricted as to what treatments they can give, but I've found them to be very good.  If you are UK based, let me know and I'll see if I can find one near you.

Regards



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I live near Earls Court in West London.

Answer
Hi

Leave this with me over the weekend and I'll ask around and get back to you next week.  I know of someone who is in the SE London/Kent area but I'll find out if they know of anyone out your way.  Do you want to email me via my private address:  hamster.lady@virgin.net so I can give you a contact phone number.  

Regards