chinese dwarf hamster question

Question
QUESTION: I noticed this morning that my son's hamster who is 2 1/2 years old, looked as if one of it's legs was bleeding.  I observed him for awhile and noticed he keeps gnawing on that same leg. Is this a nervous condition or can there be more to it?

ANSWER: HI Laura

This is not normal behaviour and something is clearly irritating him.  Perhaps he's injured his leg or there is some kind of infection, which is itching him and making him want to do this.  I would advise that you get him checked out by a vet before the condition gets worse.

Regards

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much for anwering my question.   wish I had better news, but we had to put our little hamster to sleep because he had a tumor in his mouth that was not going to get better. That is the reason he kept gnawing, he was trying to get it out of his mouth.  My son was just distraught and couldn't stop crying. That was his first pet and it broke my heart.  As an expert, is this common in hamsters?  I need to know because my son may ask for another one. Thanks!

Answer
So sorry to hear your news.  Unfortunately, tumors are very common in most varieties of hamsters.  They often get these when they are old - anything from 2 - 21/2 years old.  Unless the tumor is superficial, the vet can't operate, and in the older hamsters, there is a strong possibility they wouldn't survive the operation anyway.  

Just in case you are thinking of getting another one - or trying a different variety - I would advise you avoid getting a dwarf Russian Campbells - these are often prone to diabetes and are known for being 'nippy' and can become aggressive when they reach adulthood.  Winter Whites are OK, so are Roborovski - although Robos, whilst being the healthiest of the hamsters, are not easy to handle - especially for a child as they are so small and fast, and they tend to be a pet that is watched rather than being played with, unless you are lucky and manage to get a tame one.  Syrians are great - much larger than the Chinese and would need a larger cage and wheel etc.  They can be great pets but, like the Chinese hamsters, they are prone to tumors.  The majority of the hamsters I foster are Syrian, and sadly many have ended up with a tumor when they have reached old age.  Most times they tend to be abdominal tumors although occasionally I've had ones with brain or lung tumors.

It is very hard having a pet put to sleep, but there is absolutely no doubt you did the right thing.  Euthanasia is the kindest thing we can do for the pets we love as it guarantees they won't have to suffer.  As your vet said, there was no way your hamster was going to get any better.  Over the past 12 years I've been fostering unwanted hamsters, this never gets any easier for me - I still get attached to them and it does hurt when one is ill or is diagnosed with an inoperable tumor.  The way I try to look at it is that the time they spent with me they were spoilt and loved and it is out of love that I have them put to sleep when they are seriously ill.  

I do hope that this hasn't put you off getting another hamster.

Regards