dwarf hampster health

Question
I noticed on Monday my dwarf hampster had a place on his back where the skin had fallen out and it was red.  The next day it was worse.  I called around to some vets to try to squeeze any free advice from them.. they said maybe it was mites and I bought mite spray from a lady at the pet store who said it would work, but when I read the directions it said "harmful if swallowed -- use only on birds"... so I never used it..   I have wiped with a Q-tip the area with a very watered down hydrogen peroxide and the next day the sore didn't look any worse.. today it looks even better, but the little guy is now acting strange.. sleeping by the water bowl, bouncing alot.. cleaning alot and squeaking when he bounces up an down as he cleans himself.  His breathing seems to be labored.  We also cleaned out his cage and I got him new food and always fresh water... maybe the shavings are contaminated with mites or something... I don't know..  

Thanks for any advice you can give!!

Leah

Answer
Hey, Leah.
Yes, it does sound like it could have mites.  If that's the case, the best thing you can do is:
-clean out the cage.. wash it thoroughly.. replace it with new bedding
-treat the hamster for mites.. you can use a homemade solution of: 2 cups water, 1 tbsp witchhazel, 1 tbsp listerine.  You can just rub some of that solution with a q-tip like you were doing with the hydrogen peroxide. That should get rid of the mites and isn't dangerous to use on your hamster, unlike the solutions they sell in pet stores.

Hopefully, you'll get rid of all the mites that may be in there, and if so, your hamster should show signs of improvement.  However, if he doesn't, or his condition worsens, then the only other thing to do would be to take him to a vet.  The vet should be able to tell exactly what's wrong with your hamster and give the necessary treatment.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your hamster.  Best wishes to both of you.