I adopted a hamster from the humane society today-she is covered with bumps, any ideas what they might be? She

Answer 1

What kind of bumps are they? There's all different kind of bumps but here's the first thing that came to my mind, especially because it's a rescue hamster:

There is an outbreak of the Hamster Polyoma Virus or Hamster Papova Virus (HaPV) in Sweden and other European countries at the moment. In the last two years there have been four cases confirmed among the top breeders in the US.

HaPV is highly contagious to other hamsters. The most common symptom is wart-like bumps on it's face, especially under its chin. In young animals it can cause fatal malignant lymphomas which develop as large, rapidly growing internal tumors.

The wart-like growths will not cause a problem but the lymphomas will. Some hamsters develop nothing further than the facial bumps. There's no way to tell if any lymphomas will develop or not, you just have to cross your fingers.

If you own other hamsters there are some decisions and precautions you need to make. Also if any of your friends have hamsters, they should not have any contact with your new friend if HaPV is suspected. Most US vets are not familiar with HaPV and may not be able to accurately diagnose it.

Here is a link to an article about HaPV:
http://www.geocities.com/calhamassoc/Polyoma.html

Here is a link to a lab that can test a few fecal pellets for HaPV for just under $100:
http://www.zoologix.com/

If you do think it's HaPV then you need to notify the shelter you adopted her from so they can take the necessary actions of disinfecting and quarantining any other hamsters they have.

If this doesn't sound like the kind of bumps your hamster has (I really hope not, it's just the first thing that popped in my head), then add a more detailed description on the size, location and color of the bumps to your question and I'll tell you what else it may be or what could be causing it.

-Janice
http://www.holmdenhillhaven.com

Answer 2

I am a hamster owner myself, as well as a vet tech. the best advice i can give you is to find a veterinarian who frequently sees exotics... basically any animal smaller than a cat or dog is considered an "exotic pet". An experienced veterinarian will be able to check your hamster and help you to pinpoint the cause of the bumps. Also, if the humane society can supply you with any information regarding the hamster's history both at the shelter and before it was rescued it would help to tell the vet.

good luck.

Answer 3

The Humane Society should not be adopting out ill animals, so call them and ask them to re-examine your pet.

Answer 4

Could be cancer, but geez, don't just sit your as s here and blab on, take her to the vet. do something useful. How would you like it if you were covered with werts or bumps and your mom didn't take you to the doctor to do anything about it? I know you wouldn't like it.

Answer 5

It could be cancer, a skin disease, allergies...

At the risk of sounding redundant, time for a trip to the vet!

Answer 6

Are you sure it's a hamster?

Answer 7

Its dermatitis. Your vet can prescribe you medications for this.