VET CASE STUDY: A very itchy hamster.
31 DEC 2024
WHATSAPP TO DR SING KONG YUEN
I brought my hamster (Tee Tee) to your vet on 8 December to be treated for a wound at her belly. It was healing till she bit another wound.
I know she bit it as her cage is clear of any sharp objects that might cause another wound) so I continued to apply the medications given and keep her cage bedding free and clear of sharp objects.
That wound was starting to heal until I saw another fresh wound (still bleeding as the paper towels have fresh blood) just now so I’m starting to get worried now as once a wound heals she bites herself again and another wound forms.
I also noticed some sort of lump at the wound area which I’m afraid might be cancerous. Please advise me on what to do, I don’t mind making another trip to the vet if necessary. Thank you.
This is her right now. Her fur already grew back a week ago but now her wound is stopping her fur from growing.
This was how it was before we brought her to your vet
The medicine given helped tremendously but it’s because of her constant biting new spots
This was when her fur was growing back and she was free from wounds after giving the medications
This was awhile after the first photo (a lump?).
And this photo shows her wound area getting a little red but no wound then awhile (about a week) after this photo I found another wound and treated it and now that wound has healed but another has formed.
I’m so sorry for the late messages but I’m quite worried for her as she is constantly biting the wound and I have to keep stopping her so I would like advice. Thank you so much.
Good morning. Please phone 62543326 today for appointment with Dr Daniel. I am Dr Sing K Y. Ask them to clip hamster bald to clear infection of hairs, in my opinion. Please phone me 96686468 as soon as possible
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I brought my hamster (Tee Tee) to your vet on 8 December to be
treated for a wound at her belly. It was healing till she bit another
wound (I know she bit it as her cage is clear of any sharp objects that
might cause another wound) so I continued to apply the medications given
and keep her cage bedding free and clear of sharp objects.
That
wound was starting to heal until I saw another fresh wound (still
bleeding as the paper towels have fresh blood) just now so I’m starting
to get worried now as once a wound heals she bites herself again and
another wound forms.
I also noticed some sort of lump at the
wound area which I’m afraid might be cancerous. Please advise me on what
to do, I don’t mind making another trip to the vet if necessary. Thank
you.
This is her right now
Her fur already grew back a week ago but now her wound is stopping her fur from growing.
This was how it was before we brought her to your vet
The medicine given helped tremendously but it’s because of her constant biting new spots
This was when her fur was growing back and she was free from wounds after giving the medications
This was awhile after the first photo (a lump?).
And
this photo shows her wound area getting a little red but no wound then
awhile (about a week) after this photo I found another wound and treated
it and now that wound has healed but another has formed
I’m so sorry
for the late messages but I’m quite worried for her as she is
constantly biting the wound and I have to keep stopping her so I would
like advice. Thank you so much.
Good morning. Please phone
62543326 today for appointment with Dr Daniel. I am Dr Sing K Y. Ask
them to clip hamster bald to clear infection of hairs, in my opinion
Please phone me 96686468 as soon as possible.
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31 DEC 2024:
I brought my hamster (Tee Tee) to your vet on 8 December to be
treated for a wound at her belly. It was healing till she bit another
wound (I know she bit it as her cage is clear of any sharp objects that
might cause another wound) so I continued to apply the medications given
and keep her cage bedding free and clear of sharp objects.
That
wound was starting to heal until I saw another fresh wound (still
bleeding as the paper towels have fresh blood) just now so I’m starting
to get worried now as once a wound heals she bites herself again and
another wound forms.
I also noticed some sort of lump at the
wound area which I’m afraid might be cancerous. Please advise me on what
to do, I don’t mind making another trip to the vet if necessary. Thank
you.
TELE-CONSULTATION
ADVICES:
1. Make an appointment to consult the vet at Toa
Payoh Vets as soon as possible as it is hard to diagnose based on
some images.
Bacterial, fungal and mite infestations are possibilities. Medication is needed.
2. Bathe the hamster in warm water with
anti-bacterial or fungal soap. The hamster's thick coat needs to be properly dried after
bathing.
3. Diet. Possible allergy to
food. Restrict diet to reduce weight. Feed approved hamster food and fewer items e.g. sunflower seed
plus four other types seeds for the next two weeks. No treats.
4.
Hygiene of housing. Sanitisation of cage, water bottle, bowl, den etc.
Dampness near the water bottle. Scattered pieces
of food on litter and in hamster wheel, evident in the owner's photo.
Clean housing daily.
5. Floor litter. No chips. The owner has
used paper.
6. Likely infections of skin under the thick
coat, hence more wounds appear. Itchiness and redness of belly persist. Best is to get the hamster clipped
bald by Toa Payoh Vets to show the extent of the infected skin
areas.
FOLLOW UP ON 6 JAN 2025:
Owner WA:
She's doing fine now that the wound is not bleeding anymore and it's healing fine. Just a little redness on her belly. Her cage is much cleaner now thanks to your advice.
Dr Sing:
What did you do to enable the hamster to recover fast? Did you restrict diet, clean cage and bathe the hamster?
Owner:
Hi, I gave her little food as you suggested and clean her cage daily. I did not bathe her. I tried taking pictures, but the pictures always make her wound look super red. Photo sent.
Dr Sing:
Thank you for your photo.
UPDATES:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2025/01/4419-vet-case-study-itchy-hamster.html
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SCRIPT
31 DEC 2024
Hi, is this Toa Payoh Vets?
I brought my hamster (T...) to your vet on 8 December to be treated for a wound at her belly. It was healing till she bit another wound (I know she bit it as her cage is clear of any sharp objects that might cause another wound) so I continued to apply the medications given and keep her cage bedding free and clear of sharp objects.
That wound was starting to heal until I saw another fresh wound (still bleeding as the paper towels have fresh blood) just now so I’m starting to get worried now as once a wound heals she bites herself again and another wound forms.
I also noticed some sort of lump at the wound area which I’m afraid might be cancerous. Please advise me on what to do, I don’t mind making another trip to the vet if necessary. Thank you
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Ventral dermatitis in hamsters can be caused by a number of factors, including mites, bacteria, and fungus. It can present as skin lesions, alopecia, and pigmentation. - Demodex mites: A localized overpopulation of Demodex aurati or D criceti mites can cause demodicosis. This can be associated with poor nutrition, stress, or immunosuppression.
- Bacteria: Bacteria can form spores and spread through the environment.
- Fungus: Trichophytosis is a dermatologic condition that can cause ventral dermatitis in hamsters.
- Generalized alopecia
- Pruritus (itching)
- Erythema (redness)
- Crusts and scaling
- Hyperpigmentation
- Skin thinning
- Lack of skin elasticity
Treatment a combination of 1% selenium sulfide shampoo and topical application of selamectin, oral ivermectin, and amitraz. - Keep sick hamsters separate from other hamsters
- Thoroughly clean and sanitize the cage, food containers, and water sources used by both sick and healthy animals
