We think it might have mites but maybe not. In the meantime we have cleaned his cage and replaced his wood chips he lives in with LOTS of crumpled litte pieces of plain white paper. We thought the wood chips might be irritating or mites were in the wood chips. He is a new hamster and has been itching for two days non-stop. But now he seems to be chewing on the paper - maybe we made a bad decision?
2007-03-24 14:33:59 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
I know we need to go to a pet store and/or see a vet. But in the meantime I mean - like for right NOW we need advice
2007-03-24 14:43:32 · update #1
He seemed even more agitated with paper. We put the woodchips back in. I guess back to the pet store tomorrow.
2007-03-24 14:52:28 · update #2
The best bedding for hamsters is aspen. It doesn't have the oils in it that cedar and pine do. Cedar and pine can be very irritating, and are not good for respiratory health, especially if you are using an aquarium for a cage. As for the paper chewing, that is normal. The hamster is just nesting with it. I found that the aspen is also easier to clean/maintain than the carefresh type bedding. It is more absorbant, and the aspen is completely unnoticable aroma-wise in your home. Also, considering it is a new hamster, the possibility of mites is there.
2007-03-25 07:07:49 · answer #1 · answered by short shrimp 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Without him going to the vet the itching will continue. Now you're sure he's itchy and not just doing a lot of washing. Don't switch back to the wood chips they all cause allergic reactions in some degree and serious respiratory problems like pneumonia. Use a paper litter such as Critter Care (sold at Wal Mart) or Care Fresh (sold at pet stores) only, Yesterday's News has ink in it still and the ink is toxic to a hamster, crumpled paper will smell quickly and needs to be changed every other day. Woods like cedar and pine are the most dangerous to use. Aspen mostly causes allergies. The paper is the best. Look for any scabs or dry patchy skin with possible hair loss beginning. If any of these symptoms are present, then he may have mange, this comes from over crowded quarters prior to you getting him or contact with another infected hamster. This most likely occurred in transit to the store or at the place of shipment. The only way to treat mange in a hamster is 1) oral medication 2) topical ointment to help soften the skin and it also will help stop the itching. I've treated 4 hamsters for mange in the past 3 months, I think one of my rescues gave it to the others they were in two cages next to each other (2 per cage). I never have more then one male Syrian with 1-2 Russian dwarfs per cage, female Syrians are housed alone.
Mange is very transmittable to all animals in your house, so wash your hands every time you hold your hamster. We used latex free gloves (Wal Mart sells these at the pharmacy area) to handle ours
2007-03-24 22:29:22 · answer #2 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have to say DO NOT USE WOOD CHIPS! We put wood chips for my hamster and it ate it and died from it there are toxic. Also if it chews on paper that's normal. Also you should take it to the vet. Just a few days ago our hamster Candy started itching herself. Then we took her to the vet and he said she has mange which is mites. So he gave her a shot and she looks better. Also you should look if the fur is bitten out and wet that's what Candy's looked like. Also you have to know whether she is just cleaning herself because it is perfectly normal for them to do that. Or you have to see if fur is gone and stuff like that. If it is then take her to the vet he probably has mites which is the most severe skin disease. Also you shouldn't use paper it has ink and is sharp. You should get like toilet paper or another type of material. So just look for those signs.
2007-03-24 21:58:38 · answer #3 · answered by Lala 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would switched back to the wood chips-remember they do go to the bathroom- maybe there was something in the wood chips if so go to a diffrent store-try a pet store they can help you out a lot and remember to clean the cage once a week will help to
2007-03-24 21:39:29 · answer #4 · answered by sunshinegirl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your pets vet. Maybe don't put anything in it but make sure you clean the poop and pee up extra. =) GOOD LUCK
2007-03-24 21:43:08 · answer #5 · answered by Holly S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
he needs some of the bedding material. ink is bad for them
2007-03-24 21:41:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋