Happy has a bald patch

[HappytheSyrian]

Hi everyone I am new here. I haven’t had hamsters since I was a child (now almost 40) but while buying treats and supplies for our guinea pigs at the locals pets at home we saw her alone in a tiny enclosure, too big for the wheel supplied, no bed but seemed so thrilled to see us, so social and entertaining, we ended up running around the shop for temporary basics so we could get her out of there! It’s been 5 months now and she has a 120cm by 60cm home she seems to love, and she is out with us around an hour at night. She never needed time to settle or adjust she came home with us very happy annd social and has never bitten me or my children. She is a dream. A couple of weeks ago I noticed she was getting bald spots on her sides. They were minor and I had it with Syrians when I was younger. But to double check we got her in the vets on Tuesday. She checked them and as I thought they are not cause for concern. But the one side is very very dry. She isn’t itching it and doesn’t fuss if we touch it but I keep wondering if there is anything I can use to moisturise it for her? Or maybe some humidity? I do wonder if she is drying out now I have the heating on? Just any advice would be appreciated
Thank you

 

[Maz]

She’s beautiful . I’m so glad you got her. I was wondering if the bald spots on her sides could be her scent glands? Do you have a photo to see if they look normal? Or if it’s fur loss.

 

[Tulsi]

I also wondered it it could be her scent glands. Glad the vet said no cause for concern. Hope it clears up soon.

She is beautiful and sounds to be really contented. You struck gold there.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Welcome to the forum! Happy is so beautiful ❤

 

[Maz]

It's such a lovely photo - maybe you'd like to enter this month's photo competition

Photo Competition September/October

This month's competition is for a favourite photo of your hamster, or one of your hamsters again :) Looking forward to seeing lots of lovely hammy photos :) Competition rules: Only one entry per member It needs to be your own photograph All members can enter The competition runs until...

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[HappytheSyrian]

Thank you everyone she is absolutely one in a million. Any hamster I’ve ever had took so much time to warm up to me but she just came here all happy and content it’s been truly wonderful! Very unplanned and it took me a couple of weeks to get her set up in proper housing but she didn’t hold it against me! I just could not leave the shop leaving her behind.

This is bad side, the vet did say it is where her scent glands are. The other side is much less noticeable and she does have new fur coming through but it looks so dry. She doesn’t bother about it at all but I see the dry skin and wonder if there is anything I can do for her. Eating fine drinking fine perfectly active and mischievous just bald and dry!

 

[HappytheSyrian]

She’s beautiful . I’m so glad you got her. I was wondering if the bald spots on her sides could be her scent glands? Do you have a photo to see if they look normal? Or if it’s fur loss.

Thank you Maz, me too, she is bringing so much joy to the house pre bedtime

 

[Maz]

Hmm I see what you mean. It is her scent gland but is looking more exposed than usual and maybe a bit of fur loss. They are supposed to be quite dry but I was wondering if that's a little cut in the middle? Could she have caught it on something or be rubbing against something in her enclosure?

I wouldn't put anything on it personally, I'd just keep an eye on it. She will be doing her own grooming and licking everywhere.

Assume it all feels flat and no lump in that area under the skin? Do you have a photo of her cage/enclosure and we could see if there's anything she could be possibly catching it on.

 

[HappytheSyrian]

I didn’t know the area was supposed to be dry the vet didn’t seem bothered by it but since I haven’t had a hamster since I was 11 years old I was getting concerned. She checked her for fungal and mites etc.
Maybe she has caught herself on something on that side, I will keep an eye on it. My guinea pigs are in the vets for their annuals mid October so if no better she may tag along! She did seem to enjoy her visit to the vets so she won’t complain

 

[Maz]

It's usually dry skin in that area - they can even feel a bit hard and odd

 

[Roborovskis r us]

Hi everyone I am new here. I haven’t had hamsters since I was a child (now almost 40) but while buying treats and supplies for our guinea pigs at the locals pets at home we saw her alone in a tiny enclosure, too big for the wheel supplied, no bed but seemed so thrilled to see us, so social and entertaining, we ended up running around the shop for temporary basics so we could get her out of there! It’s been 5 months now and she has a 120cm by 60cm home she seems to love, and she is out with us around an hour at night. She never needed time to settle or adjust she came home with us very happy annd social and has never bitten me or my children. She is a dream. A couple of weeks ago I noticed she was getting bald spots on her sides. They were minor and I had it with Syrians when I was younger. But to double check we got her in the vets on Tuesday. She checked them and as I thought they are not cause for concern. But the one side is very very dry. She isn’t itching it and doesn’t fuss if we touch it but I keep wondering if there is anything I can use to moisturise it for her? Or maybe some humidity? I do wonder if she is drying out now I have the heating on? Just any advice would be appreciated
Thank you View attachment 11069

She is sooo beautiful. , and bonus of already being tame and adorable.

 

[HappytheSyrian]

It's usually dry skin in that area - they can even feel a bit hard and odd

I have just reread your reply I’ll get a photo of her home I have been travelling for a football match today so long day. It’s a pawhut we have modified no wire mesh within reach just the lid she can’t reach, that stuff scared me so we replaced with Perspex with air holes on the sides and took out the top level because it was so high. The one thing I could think of is that she keeps taking toys and chews in her burrow and maybe something is sharp if she’s chewed it

 

[HappytheSyrian]

She is sooo beautiful. , and bonus of already being tame and adorable.

Thank you so much she’s really so lovely I still can’t believe how brilliant she is