on my hamster i have recently noticed a tiny round bald spot on her nose between her eyes wat does this mean she isnt very old not even a year shes about 3 4 months ?? andy ideas plz
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2007-01-24 07:19:52 · 11 answers · asked by twinkle 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Hello Twinkle,
I have kept LOTS of hamsters over the years and I bet I can guess what's happened.......do you keep her in a cage with vertical bars? All my hamsters would bite at their cage bars and when they did this, the fur between their eyes would rub against a bar, causing the fur to rub off a bit.
If that's the only place on her body with a bald patch, I'll bet that's the reason. It won't harm her, but it might be a good idea to take her to the Vet, just for a check-up.
x
2007-01-24 07:29:00 · answer #1 · answered by smee_1972 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would imagine that this is caused by her rubbing her face on the cage bars when she gnaws them. I've kept hamsters for years and this is really common. You could give her some of the wooden chew things they sell in pet shops but my experience is that they prefer the bars and are not bothered by the bald spot. Before you go spending any money taking her to the vet watch her next time she gnaws, and I bet you can see there's a part of the cage that rubs her right where the bald spot is.
2007-01-24 11:03:06 · answer #2 · answered by greenbean 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Twinkle,
My guinea pig has just had a bald spot and it was mites. We spent a fortune on the vets, only to be told that the local pet store could have treated this problem with off the shelf products.
It might also be from rubbing against something like its wheel or the bars of the cage.
Hope this helps
2007-01-24 07:37:16 · answer #3 · answered by thecat 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There are several things that can be causing this. The first one that comes to mind is bar rub. This is caused by the friction of wire cage bars as the hamster chews on them. If this is the cause you need to rehome her to a plastic or glass tank. Bar rub will cause permanent hair loss if prolonged. It may also lead to lacerations and infections in a very determined/obsessive hamster.
The hamster could also have mites. There are a few different types of mites. The mites that behave somewhat like fleas are the Tropical Rat Mite. If the hamster has these mites, it is not the mites that cause hair loss, but an allergic reaction to the mites. Mites don't typically feed off the hamsters face/head. They are usually found around on the body, especially the around the scent glands. There is a flea/mite treatment that you can buy in the small animal isle of most pet stores. You will also need to completely clean the cage and soak it in a 1:10 bleach-water solution for 10 minutes. I don't think it's an allergic reaction to mites though, as the hair loss would be more on her body than her face.
There are two other kinds of mites that cause mange (and yes they can and do effect hamsters). One of them causes sarcoptic mange. Sarcoptic mange is usually seen as hair loss on the body but particularly the face. Sarcoptic mange is usually itchy and can look scruffy with small scabs. The other kind of mange is acarisis. It is usually seen on the face, head and neck and is not itchy. Both of this types of mites/mange most be treated with Ivermectin. You will need to see a vet to purchase it and get the correct dosing.
It could also be ringworm. You will need to get the hamster to a vet for proper diagnosis. It is very important that you do this as ringworm is zoonotic, meaning it's contagious to people!
-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com
2007-01-26 12:48:52 · answer #4 · answered by radiocricket 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably is from gnawing her cage.
I swapped both of my hamsters to tank type cages as gnawing metal bars can chip their teeth.
There are lots of toys and chews that you can buy - my 2 love the sticks with treats on or dried out corn cobs that you can hang from the cage.
Look on the Internet at Hamster owners websites for ideas on keeping your ham entertained.
2007-01-25 03:39:39 · answer #5 · answered by lynda p 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe she is bored and has been rubbing her nose against something. Make sure she has lots of toys and give her lots of attention. If the bald spots spread, take her to the vet.
2007-01-24 07:24:57 · answer #6 · answered by Bethe W 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Do you have other hamsters? We have rats and sometimes our rat Delila will groom herself or others so that they have thin patches of hair in some places- usually if she is very stressed. So maybe your hammy is grooming herself or being groomed too much?
2007-01-24 07:29:03 · answer #7 · answered by moonwizard4 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be she just has a minor skin condition, or it could be something more serious. Why don't you take her to the vet to make sure it's not the latter.
2007-01-24 07:23:30 · answer #8 · answered by Israely Jew 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
She could have mites. Take her to your local vet and have her checked out.
2007-01-24 07:23:24 · answer #9 · answered by x0xsimplyirresistiblexox 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
trying to get out of her cage she probably wore it off on bars.
2007-01-26 02:48:11 · answer #10 · answered by sandy e 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋