Old teddy bear hamster ill

Question
HI - thanks so much for the prompt reply... we bought the vitamins and will see if they help.  Aside, you didn't address the dermititus issue - we can pick off the white crust but some of his long, old-man fur comes out with it and I wonder if it is better to just leave it alone.  Do you know what this couldbe? I bought some cleansing wipes for hamsters at Petco but have not used them on him yet as I am concerned they might irritate his skin - what do you think?

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Followup To

Question -
Our sweet teddy hamster is very old - about 3 years...he moves slowly and loses his balance sometimes - he sleeps a lot and never seems to use the wheel anymore - he has some white dermititis for the past month or so that is dry but looks like paste on his back, mostly near his neck...it doesn't seem to bother him but no one seems to know what it could be... for the first time today, he doesn't seem to want to be touched. He is eating and drinking but has been exhibiting odd behavior (biting the carefresh bedding and dropping pieces of it in his food) - I also noticed a long poop hanging from his bottom - but it did not appear to be wet - just long and still attached - what can we do for poor Butter (that's his name) and what should we expect as I know he is nearing the end of his life.  Your help and advise would be greatly appreciated!

Answer -
Hello and congrats on keeping your hamster for so long. It seems that sweet teddy is going through the old age symptoms like you said. Not wanting to be touched can sometimes do when the fact that he may not see you well. Him sleeping more and not using his wheel is normal in many older hamsters. They are just too tired to do anything but eat, sleep, drink and poo. THe best thing to actually do is to try using some vitamin drops for your hamster. I use oasis vitamin drops and you can find those at Petsmart, but I do know that Petco has vitamin drops you can use as well. I put mine in my hammies drinking water and that just may help him gain a little bit of energy. Try feeding him some granola as well. You can get some plain granola or some that has maple in it. It's a little home remedy that can sometimes help prevent diarrhea. Butter would probably love some and oh yeah you also mentioned Butter putting his carefresh bedding in his food. That's just an odd behavior that my hamster does sometimes too. He tries to cover up his food with it. He does chew on it too and that's just to fluff it up. It's fine if he chews it though since he won't become hurt by it.I hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer
Oh so sorry about the dermititus issue. Do not put the pet wipes on his skin. He really should go to a vet for that issue as he may have mites. By the way you described his skin condition, I really think he does have mites. Don't try picking off the skin because it sounds like he's just in a lot of pain. The best thing would be for the vet to give a shot for the mites or antibiotics for the skin irritation. That's really the only way I know of to get rid of skin problems is through a vets medical attention. Good luck.