should i be conserned?

Question
my hamster is still happy and healthy eating, drinking and seems his normal self. But i have noticed a small bald patch appering on my hamsters side on his sent glan. It sticks out a little, is bald and slighty crusty. It looks like what my rabbit had when he had mange on his chest last year.

Answer
Hi Aly,

Fur loss is common in older hamsters (over 1 year old), so it would be nothing to worry about.  If your hamster is fairly young, fur loss can be a symptom of a skin infection or skin allergy, mites, mange, diet deficiency, or thyroid problems.

If fur loss is observed the skin should be checked for any signs of irritation, flakiness, scabs, or sores. The hamster should also be observed for excessive scratching or any other signs of illness (weight loss, lethargy, etc.).  If the hamster is exhibiting any signs of illness along with fur loss the hamster should be isolated from any others and veterinary advice should be sought immediately.

If your hamster has mange:
The hamster should be isolated from any others and the cage should be thoroughly disinfected using a disinfectant specifically designed for small animal cages. Any hay should be removed and replaced with paper bedding and veterinary treatment should be sought immediately. A vet can take a skin scraping to confirm that the hamster is suffering from mange.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly