Why does a hamster go bald, what to do if bald spots appear on the back, head or stomach

When a charming fluffy pet begins to lose hair, the natural desire of the owner is to quickly understand why the hamster is going bald. There are so many possible causes that it is better to consult a ratologist before starting treatment.

Hair loss associated with inflammation of the skin is always accompanied by itching. If the hamster itches and grows bald, it is necessary first of all to exclude parasites.

Infectious skin diseases

Scabies

Most often, hair loss in hamsters is caused by parasitism of subcutaneous mites. With advanced demodicosis, the animal loses up to 90% of its coat. The skin looks not just naked, it is inflamed, thickened, with traces of scratching. The hamster itches, squeals in pain, behaves aggressively, does not allow to be picked up.

Inexperienced owners believe that allergies are one of the most common reasons why hamsters go bald. For a long time, changing feed and filler, they lose time, and demodicosis takes a generalized form. Allergies in hamsters happen, but more often manifested by rhinitis and conjunctivitis than skin problems.

When the Djungarian hamster goes bald, the veterinarian will begin treatment against the subcutaneous mite, even if the parasites could not be seen in a skin scraping. A good scraping is difficult to get from a small, nimble rodent, which cannot be properly fixed.

Treatment: Otodectin (0,1% ivermectin) subcutaneously at intervals of 7-14 days, 2-4 injections, up to 6 times if the problem is advanced. The dose is 0,2 ml per 1 kg of body weight. The Syrian hamster weighs about 150 g, 0,03 ml of otodectin is made for such an animal. Dzhungarik weighs about 50 g, its dose is 0,01 ml.

Lichen

For fungal diseases of the skin, peeling of the skin, chronic course and itching are characteristic. The hamster, as with demodicosis, grows bald and itches, but hairless areas of the correct rounded shape are limited. The skin is not completely naked, covered with a crust, and the hair seems to be broken off at the root. Lichen is treated for a long time, with the help of antifungal ointments and sprays. Fortunately, it rarely occurs.

Secondary alopecia

If the animal suddenly began to go bald, and the skin looks clean and smooth, the reason is not parasites (mites, fungi). With alopecia, not caused by problems directly with the skin, the hamster does not itch.

Abscess

In the event of a limited purulent inflammation, the skin in this area becomes thinner and the hair falls out. Baldness is accompanied by a change in skin color, the focus fluctuates when palpated. An abscess in a hamster opens spontaneously or in a veterinary clinic.

In addition to surgical treatment, a course of antibiotics and daily washing of the wound with an antiseptic is required. Assign “Baytril 2,5%” 0,4 ml per 1 kg of body weight (0,06-0,1 ml for Syrians and 0,02 ml for dwarfs). Subcutaneous injections, 1 time per day, 7 days.

Wool grows back after the cessation of purulent inflammation.

Urinary irritation

If the hamster’s hind legs and tummy are bald, this indicates constant skin contact with urine. Infrequent bed changes and a small cage will cause this phenomenon, but if the pet is kept properly, hair loss on the pelvic limbs is a sign that the hamster is drinking and pissing a lot. Polyuria – a symptom of various diseases:

• cystitis (inflammation of the bladder);
• Urolithiasis disease;
• Renal failure;
• Diabetes (in dwarf hamsters).

Mechanical abrasion of wool

Under inappropriate conditions, thick fur may fall out due to constant mechanical stress. This is how the hair is wiped off on the paws and tummy, but most often on the head, if the hamster has a bad habit of gnawing the bars of the cage. The bald spot on the nose will not grow until the pet stops sticking its muzzle through the bars.

If it is not possible to relocate a rodent from a lattice cage to a terrarium, you need to offer him another object for grinding down constantly growing incisors. Twigs, treats for hamsters in the form of hard sticks, mineral stone. You should not humanize the animal, believing that he gnaws the cage in order to break free.

Hormonal alopecia

Sometimes, to understand why the hamster is bald, the animal needs an ultrasound. This is not possible in every clinic. An experienced ratologist may suggest failures of the hormonal system if baldness is observed in the female, and the bald spots on the back are symmetrical. Hamsters have:

• Polycystic and ovarian tumors;
• Endometritis, pyometra (inflammation of the uterus).

The female can also go bald during pregnancy. The belly of a nursing hamster becomes completely naked during lactation.

Molting

Bald spots can be a sign of a natural process for hamsters – seasonal molting. Baldness usually affects the abdomen and inner thighs, but sometimes the hair falls out on the back.

Old age

If the old hamster begins to go bald, and parasitic diseases are excluded, the true cause can be established extremely rarely. In such a situation, it can only be advised to add special vitamins for rodents to food and provide ideal conditions for keeping.

Conclusion

You can not say in absentia what to do if the hamster is going bald. To find out the cause, in most cases, it is necessary to examine the animal by a specialist and conduct special studies. If the hamster has begun to shed its hair, then the task of the owner before the appointment of the ratologist is to provide the pet with a balanced nutrition and optimal conditions of detention.