When charming furry pet begins to lose hair, the owner’s natural desire is to quickly understand why the hamster is going bald. There are so many possible causes that it is best to consult with your doctor before starting treatment.

Inexperienced owners believe that allergies are one of the most common reasons why hamsters go bald. For a long time By changing food and filler, they waste time, and demodicosis takes on a generalized form. It happens, but more often it manifests itself as rhinitis and rather than skin problems.

Treatment: Otodectin (0.1% ivermectin) subcutaneously at intervals of 7-14 days, 2-4 injections, up to 6 times if the problem is neglected form. Dose 0.2 ml per 1 kg of weight. The Syrian hamster weighs approximately 150 g; such an animal is given 0.03 ml of otodectin. Dzungarik weighs about 50 g, its dose is 0.01 ml.

Lichen

Fungal skin diseases are characterized by peeling of the skin, chronic course and itching. The hamster, as with demodicosis, becomes bald and itchy, but the hairless areas of a regular round shape are limited. The skin is not completely bare, covered with a crust, and the hair seems to be broken off at the root. Ringworm can be treated over a long period of time using antifungal ointments and sprays. Fortunately, it is rare.

Secondary alopecia

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 are required. Prescribe “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.

The fur grows back after the purulent inflammation stops.

Urine irritation

If your hamster's hind legs and tummy are bald, this indicates constant skin contact with urine. Infrequent bedding 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 drinks a lot and pees a lot. Polyuria– a symptom of various diseases:

• Cystitis (inflammation of the bladder);
• Urolithiasis;
• Kidney failure;

Mechanical abrasion of wool

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

If it is not possible to move the rodent from a lattice cage to a terrarium, you need to offer it another object for grinding down its constantly growing incisors. Twigs, treats for hamsters in the form of hard sticks, mineral stone. The animal should not be humanized, believing that it is trying to break free.

Hormonal alopecia

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

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

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

Shedding

Bald spots may be a sign of a natural process for hamsters -. Baldness usually affects the abdomen and inner surface hips, but sometimes hair falls out on the back.

Old age

Conclusion

You can’t say in absentia what to do if your 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 fur, then the owner’s task before taking a ratologist is to provide the pet with optimal living conditions.

Causes of baldness in hamsters

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Common diseases Djungarian hamsters

When a hamster appears in the apartment, the house is filled with joy. And if the animal suddenly falls ill, the household falls into despair. Diseases in hamsters can occur due to improper care, poor nutrition, or pathogens. It is important to recognize the symptoms of the disease in time and treat the animal. To prevent the animal from getting sick in the future, take preventive measures.

Classification of diseases

Hamster diseases can be classified according to various indicators. For example, depending on the location of pain, they can be gastrointestinal, skin, associated with the respiratory system, limb injuries, etc. There are also congenital (genetic) and acquired ailments. But most often the classification is based on the factor that causes the disease.

Highlight following reasons occurrence of hamster diseases:

1. Bacteria. Call skin lesions, inflammation, gastrointestinal problems, eye diseases.
2. Viruses. They provoke the development of tumors and pathologies of the nervous system.
3. Microscopic fungi. Amazing skin.
4. Metabolic disorder. Most shining example– diabetes mellitus in.
5. Stress factors. They influence not only emotional state animals, but also on the skin, the condition of the fur.

When to sound the alarm?

Few owners notice changes in the condition of their pets early stages diseases. But early diagnosis– deposit speedy recovery animal. How can you tell if your pet has health problems? Of course, carry out external inspection and watch the fluffy for a couple of days. You should:

• assess the animal’s activity: if Homa suddenly becomes lethargic, he is clearly unwell;
• watch your appetite. Healthy animals love to snack. If pet refuses even his favorite treat - he is seriously ill;
• check the weight. An adult must weigh at least 90 g; for all other breeds, including Djungarian hamsters, the weight must not be less than 30 g;
• inspect the muzzle pet. The eyes should be shiny, without cloudiness or mucus. Nose – cool, without discharge. Check your ears for flaking. Pay attention to the incisors: they should grow evenly;
• make sure that there are no skin growths or tumors on the neck, armpits and abdomen;
• inspect the butt and the area of ​​fur under the tail, they should not be wet or dirty;
• the living space also needs to be examined: if the rodent falls ill intestinal disorder, the stool will be liquid, and if you have cystitis or diabetes, you will know it by the smell.

If at least one sign is detected, it is worth taking the fluffy to the veterinarian so that he can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Bacterial infections

Fluffies are most susceptible to bacterial diseases. They can be picked up from another animal, from stale food, or directly from the cage if it is not cleaned for a long time. Let's look at their types, symptoms and treatment.

By the way, some ailments caused by bacteria can be transmitted to animals from humans and vice versa!

Tuberculosis

The reason is the proliferation of tuberculosis bacilli in the intestines or respiratory tract, respectively, and the forms of the disease are intestinal and pulmonary. The routes of entry of pathogenic microorganisms are airborne droplets, less often with food.

The disease causes shortness of breath, a significant decrease in appetite, which leads to complete exhaustion body. With the pulmonary form, animals have a cough, and with the intestinal form, severe diarrhea. On last stage Fluffy's eyes become cloudy. Due to the fact that tuberculosis in rodents is incurable, it is more humane to euthanize the homa.

To prevent your pet from picking up this infection, you should keep the cage clean, milk and meat products, included in the hamster’s diet, should be subjected to heat treatment. You should also limit the animal’s interaction with infected people and other rodents.

Colibacillosis

Dangerous infection caused by increased content coli in the digestive tract. The disease is very contagious, so if you keep hamsters together, you will have to take tests from everyone and treat them all together.

This hamster disease is also called “wet tail” because the main symptom is severe diarrhea. But on initial stage noted:

• decreased appetite;
• weight loss;
• lethargy;
• restless behavior;
• trying to curl up into a ball;
• wet fur on the butt.

At severe diarrhea Hamster stool looks more like urine. This explains why the hamster is wet but not dirty.

If you find these signs in your furry, consult a doctor who will tell you how to treat colibacillosis. Typically, veterinarians prescribe tetracycline drugs as an additive to water and food or (in in rare cases) chloramphenicol injections.

It is possible to cure the animal only in the early stages of the development of the disease. Preventive measure– keep animals in separate cages, clean them up more often.

Cystitis

Very unpleasant disease Djungarian hamsters and Syrians. The urinary system suffers. At the same time, the hamster's lower abdomen hurts, he experiences severe pain, burning sensation when urinating. The animal loses a lot of water and is constantly thirsty. This disease appears after hypothermia of the body, which can even be caused by a fan!

Cystitis is treated with antibiotics. The main thing is to put correct diagnosis, because the disease can be confused with colibacillosis. Both of these sores can answer the question “why does a hamster have wet fur?”

Prevention. Make sure that your pet does not become overcooled; do not place the cage near an open window.

Diplococcosis

A respiratory tract infection caused by round bacteria called diplococci. General symptoms is lethargy and weakness. The animal is shaking slightly and his nose is running. Sometimes the animal may stop paying attention to food.

It is treated with a special serum, which should be administered as early as possible, since diplococcosis can take the life of a pet in 2-3 days.

Salmonellosis

Acute intestinal sore. It is provoked by salmonella bacilli. In addition to general lethargy and the desire to hide in a dark corner, foamy diarrhea and light green discharge, possibly with blood, are observed. Often the animal's tummy is swollen, the temperature fluctuates from very low to abnormally high.

Salmonellosis can kill an animal in 2 days, so emergency diagnosis and treatment are necessary!

Pneumonia

Develops due to increased activity pneumococci against a background of general weakening of the immune system. Usually occurs after severe hypothermia and due to a lack of vitamins in the rodent’s body.

Symptoms of this disease in hamsters are:

• lethargy, inactivity;
• lack of appetite;
• wheezing and cough;
• mucous discharge from the nose.

Pneumonia is often accompanied by eye sores. Most often it is conjunctivitis.

The disease is not dangerous: with a course of vitamins and antibiotics, the animal recovers completely within a week.

Conjunctivitis

Eye disease. Symptoms include heaviness and a feeling of glued eyelids. The most common cause is a cold, but some bacteria can also cause it. It is necessary to rinse your pet's eyes with salted water and use drops prescribed by your veterinarian.

There are a great many diseases and not a single article is enough to describe them all. Yes, this is not necessary. The main thing is to notice the symptoms in time that something has happened to your pet. And then, if possible, immediately go to veterinary clinic. The best person to help your pet is a doctor. After all, there they will conduct the necessary tests for you, accurately diagnose you, and prescribe effective pills.

Endometritis

A disease characteristic of females. At its core, it is an inflammation of the uterus and appendages caused by streptococci. The disease occurs with frequent sexual intercourse and childbirth. The only chance to save the pet is to take it to surgery.

Oral inflammation

It usually starts on the inside of the cheeks. In wounds caused by hard foods, various bacteria develop, causing inflammatory process. The hamster may develop swelling on its face.

This sore is very unpleasant, but not dangerous. The doctor carefully turns out the pet’s cheeks, removes the remains of rotting food from the wounds and treats them with bactericidal ointments and solutions. After two days, the homa will no longer feel discomfort. The main thing is not to feed the animal for the first 12 hours after cleaning.

And as a preventive measure, make sure that the animal’s food meets the requirements: it is not too hard and does not contain sharp jagged edges.

Listed bacterial infections chase rodents more often than others. Homa can also contract tularemia and listeriosis, but they are much less common.

Viral diseases

Hamsters, like many other mammals, are susceptible to viral attacks. It is harder for tiny creatures to fight viruses, because their immunity is extremely fragile.

Common viral illnesses are:

1. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis. Can be transmitted from sick hamster to babies. Expressed in weakness of the body, sudden weight loss. Choriomeningitis can be treated in the early stages, and it is necessary to treat the animal, because its disease can be transmitted to its owners!
2. False rabies (Aujeszky's disease). Suffering nervous system. The behavior of a sick animal is characterized by increased restlessness; it twitches and constantly tries to scratch itself. In order for the pet to recover, a special serum is injected into it. IN advanced cases paralysis and death occur.
3. Respiratory infections. Few people know that hamsters can develop acute respiratory infections, but this is true. Viruses actively attack the fluffy’s weak body, and as a result, the homa may die. Specific antiviral drugs does not exist for hamsters, so you should take care of their immunity by giving enough fresh vegetables and herbs. If your pet has a cold, he must cope with the disease himself, without medication.
4. Tumors. There are types of viruses that can provoke the development of tumors. It is impossible to cure such illnesses.

Viral infections are difficult to fight, so prevention is important. You should think over the diet of rodents and give them food containing vitamins.

Fungal infections

What do hamsters suffer from, what mycoses?

1. Dermatophytosis. The skin peels off, ulcers appear, and the fur begins to come out. Dermatophytosis should be treated with special solutions(chlorhexidine, miramistin), ointments or shampoos that should be prescribed by a veterinarian.
2. Lichen. In areas that have lost hair, fresh wounds and drying crusts are visible. The disease is contagious, so do not keep a healthy hamster in the same cage as a sick one. The sore is diagnosed by scraping and treated with special creams and ointments. If the hamster has no wounds or peeling on the skin, but the hair has fallen out, then this is not lichen, but vitamin deficiency.

Metabolic disorders

Do you know what hamsters get sick with besides viral, fungal and cold infections? Some individuals experience metabolic disorders. Sometimes they are hereditary, but sometimes humans are also to blame, as is the case with diabetes mellitus among the Djungarians.

Diabetes mellitus

Interestingly, the symptoms of diabetes in hamsters are the same as in humans:

• irrepressible thirst and increased appetite;
• sharp fluctuations in weight (quickly losing weight or getting fat);
• physiological fluids smell like acetone (urine, saliva);
• increased interest in the wheel: the animal is able to spin it longer than usual without stopping.

Diabetes mellitus is diagnosed using laboratory analysis blood - check glucose levels. After diagnosis is made, it is prescribed drug treatment and a diet high in protein and low in fast carbohydrates.

Stroke

Metabolic diseases include vascular diseases that arise in old age. Stroke in hamsters is often caused by deposits cholesterol plaques in the vessels of the head (that is, lipid metabolism is impaired). When a plaque completely covers the lumen of a vessel, blood accumulates, and the walls of the vein or artery stretch under its pressure. But they cannot stretch forever, the vessel bursts and hemorrhage occurs.

Stone disease

Stone disease is a very dangerous condition for hamsters. Occurs when salt metabolism is disrupted, resulting gradually in the kidneys, bladder And bile ducts sand accumulates and combines into pebbles. When a stone moves, it causes hellish pain, the hamster screams heart-rendingly. Also, with this disease, the hamster’s tail is tucked, the animal rarely pees, and there is blood in the urine. In small rodents the disease is not treated.

Obesity

In nature, hamsters are in a state of perpetual motion. And in our home they are often deprived of many active activities. There is a particularly high risk of decreased activity due to obesity, which can lead to even more dire consequences. After all, obesity is the first path to cardiovascular diseases, muscle atrophy. To avoid problems, carefully monitor your pet’s diet and make sure that his cage has enough “horizontal bars” for exercise: a running wheel, ladders, free space, tunnels. Let the animal out for a free run more often, the main thing is to carefully ensure that it does not run anywhere and get hurt.

Obesity, like urolithiasis, are characteristic of mature hamsters. It occurs infrequently in active dwarf hamsters (unless accompanied by diabetes); Syrian hamsters have a greater predisposition.

The photo shows an obese hamster.

Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome – hormonal disorder in hamsters. The main reason hormonal imbalances are frequent childbirth. At the same time, the hamster becomes lethargic, irritable, and her tummy is slightly swollen, bowel movements are irregular. It is possible to cure a female, but it cannot be done without surgery.

Hormonal changes coupled with poor nutrition can cause hemorrhoids in a hamster. This is a painful condition in which it is painful for the animal to defecate; in the hamster, blood can be seen on the fur under the tail.

Diseases caused by stress

Many factors contribute to stress for furbabies. Among them are sharp sounds, persecution by the cat, poor care, poor nutrition, inattention or intrusiveness of the owners. All this disrupts the hamster’s mental balance, causing serious illnesses. Their treatment should first of all be aimed at eliminating stress factors, and then at eliminating symptoms.

What do hamsters get sick with when they are stressed?

1. Eczema. In autumn, the skin becomes sensitive, it peels off, wounds and sores appear, the fur seems to fade before our eyes, becomes dry and hard.
2. Baldness. The wool falls out in large clumps. A specific area may become bald, or there may be islands of skin devoid of hair. Most often occurs due to the lack required quantity vitamins and microelements. However, it can also be caused by simply experiencing severe stress. Therefore, at the first suspicion, make sure your pet is comfortable and eating the right diet. Externally, the problem is similar to lichen, but the skin is smooth and does not have any defects. At first, the two ailments are absolutely identical, so at the first sign, run to the doctor and find out the root cause. In this situation, you cannot rely on chance or traditional methods, it’s better to take the necessary tests and get accurate diagnosis. After all, both diseases are dangerous for the animal.
3. Paralysis and heart attack. A strong sudden fright may well cause cardiac arrest, partial or complete paralysis of the furry.

Many people don’t know what to do to make their hamster stop getting sick. First of all, you should think: what doesn’t your pet like? Why is he uncomfortable? We suggest you study the tips on this issue:

• do not yell at your pet or hit it under any circumstances;
• do not allow other pets near the cage;
• Do taming only a few days after acquiring the furry;
• do not force the animal to play or eat;
• monitor your hamster's diet;
• place the cage in places where there are no drafts;
• remove noisy devices from the cage;
• Clean your hamster's house more often.

As you can see, most hamster diseases are the result of unsanitary conditions, improper care and feeding. You have the power to make the life of a funny animal interesting and comfortable, and this will increase its chances of a long and happy life without disease.

Abscesses

A skin condition that sometimes appears out of nowhere, most often affecting the paw pads. Treating them is simple: just smear the damaged area with a drug that contains zinc ointment or fish oil. This will be easier to do if you first place the hamster on its back or sideways. Treatment is lengthy and can take up to 2-3 months. The main thing here is to wait until the skin is completely restored.

Dental problems

Like any other rodent, hamsters' front teeth are in a state of perpetual growth. However, too fast a pace can cause pain and inconvenience to the animal, because it does not have time to grind them down. Sometimes leads to pain in the mouth malocclusion. Such defects are common and often inherited. It can be noticed by increased salivation and refusal even of favorite treats. It is best to take your pet to a veterinarian, as only he can determine the exact cause and prescribe effective treatment.

Inflammation of the pouches

The inside of the cheek pouch can be easily damaged by a sharp object. Since the hamster uses it constantly, pieces of food will get into the wound, which will further aggravate the situation. If you suspect, take your baby to the vet. He examines the animal, turning the bags outward. Under no circumstances try to do this yourself: there is a high risk of harming your pet even more. Such wounds are cleaned with ordinary bactericidal agents, but first you need to remove the remaining food from them with special tweezers.

Herpes

A disease familiar to all of us, which is easily transmitted from one living being to another. As a rule, it does not have pronounced symptoms and goes away on its own in 6-9 days. Treatment is not required, but it is better to temporarily separate infected animals from the rest of the flock.

Content:

Hamsters are very cute and funny creatures that many people keep as pets. But, like any other animals, hamsters, regardless of breed, get sick, so owners should know the symptoms of diseases and signs of general malaise in order to help their little pet and begin treatment as quickly as possible. Let's look at what Djungarian and Syrian hamsters get sick with, and we'll tell you what to do and how to treat a sick rodent.

Predisposing factors that can cause diseases in hamsters include:

• poor quality, meager in ratio nutrients diet;
• poor living conditions (cramped, dirty cage);
• unsuitable indoor microclimate;
• frequent stress, fear, emotional stress;
• improper care of pets.

Important! An improperly equipped cage can cause injury small pet, provoke dislocations, sprains, and ligament tears. When two or more hamsters are kept in one cage, the rodents will fight for territory in real hamster fights. Moreover, such battles can often cause the death of babies or weaker individuals.

Common diseases of Djungarian and Syrian hamsters:

• obesity, diabetes;
• inflammation of the cheek pouch;
• abscesses on the paws;
• mechanical injuries(dislocations, fractures, sprains);
• ophthalmic diseases(keratitis, conjunctivitis);
• respiratory diseases various etiopathogenesis;
• viral-bacteriological, invasive diseases;
• dermatophytosis;
• dermatitis, dermatoses, mycoses;
• colibacillosis;
• helminthic infestations;
• tularemia;
• false rabies (Aujeszky's disease);
• lymphocytic choriomeningitis;
• dental diseases.

If you purchase hamsters in pet stores, from trusted breeders, create optimal living conditions for the pet, and do not neglect the rules of hygiene, many of the diseases that hamsters suffer from can be avoided.

Symptoms of diseases

How can you tell if your hamster is sick? This question interests many breeders of small pets. A healthy hamster has beautiful shiny fur, leads an active lifestyle, especially at night, and shows interest in the world around it. The animal eats food with appetite, makes supplies, and arranges its home. The Djungarian, the Syrian, has clear, clean eyes and an expressive gaze.

Important! You can understand that a rodent is sick not only by external signs, but also by the changed behavior of the hamster.

Main symptoms of diseases:

• decreased activity, lethargy, apathy;
• deterioration of fur condition (wet fur);
• severe itching;
• the appearance of scratches, bald patches, wounds, ulcers on the body;
• discharge from the nose, eyes;
• increased thirst;
• allergy, skin rash;
• bowel dysfunction (diarrhea, constipation);
• frequent urination;
• pallor, cyanosis of mucous membranes;
• sticky eyelids;
• the presence of blood and clots in the urine;
• breathing disorder, heart rate;
• accumulation of wax and dirt in the ears;
• yellowness, peeling of the skin;
• loss of cheek pouches;
• impaired coordination of movements;
• boils on the body.

In case of injuries or sprains, the hamster limps, sits constantly in the house or hides in the corner of the cage. The rodent loses a lot of weight or, on the contrary, gets better and gains weight too quickly.

Advice! Take a good look at your pet's home. If a hamster suffers from indigestion, cystitis, or endocrine pathologies, an unpleasant specific odor appears, the feces will be liquid, and the space will be filled with excrement.

If the hamster has lost weight, refuses its favorite treats, has watery eyes, swollen eyelids, the pet has become inactive, shows aggression, is breathing frequently, or other symptoms uncharacteristic of a healthy animal are noticeable, you should not ignore the problem.

If your dwarf or Syrian hamster is sick, do not self-medicate. If you discover that the rodent is sick, take it to the veterinary clinic or call a veterinarian at home. The choice of treatment methods depends on the root cause that provoked the soreness.

Bacterial and viral diseases of the hamster

Hamsters are very susceptible to diseases that cause pathogenic microorganisms, viruses, bacteria. Infection is possible by contact, aerogenous, nutritional means, or by eating low-quality feed. Some diseases of bacterial etiology can be transmitted to hamsters from humans and other pets.

Other symptoms of colibacillosis include:

• decreased, lack of appetite;
• weight loss;
• restless behavior;
• depression, lethargy, apathy;
• drowsiness;
• the presence of wet fur near the anus.

Hamster stool with diarrhea has a watery consistency. The hamster constantly curls up into a ball, hides in secluded places in the cage, and looks untidy.

The disease is characterized aggressive course, spreads very quickly, therefore, when keeping several animals together in a cage, you must immediately move the sick pet to another home. The disease can be cured only in the early stages of development.

Diplococcosis

An infection of the respiratory tract caused by round microscopic bacteria called diplococci. The main symptoms are lethargy, apathy, decreased activity, discharge from the nose and eyes. If the infection is severe, the dwarf will refuse food and treats.

The disease requires immediate treatment using special serums. If therapy is not started, the pet’s death occurs on the second or third day.

Salmonellosis

The disease is caused by pathogenic rod-shaped microorganisms - salmonella. With this infection, hamsters experience foamy diarrhea, weakness, apathy, and pale mucous membranes. A sick hamster refuses food, hides in a dark corner, sits motionless, showing no interest in the world around it. The rodent's tummy is enlarged. In the stool you may notice bloody clots, threads, particles of undigested food, and mucus.

Viral pneumonia

The disease develops against the background of weakened resistance and weakened immune potential. Prolonged hypothermia, chronic otitis, hypo-, avitaminosis can also cause the development viral pneumonia in animals.

The disease is manifested by abundant mucous, mucopurulent discharge from the eyes, nose, refusal to feed, coughing attacks, and shortness of breath. The hamster has a wet muzzle, hoarse, rapid breathing, and pale mucous membranes. If he shakes his head, ear, ears sulfur has accumulated, there are crusts and emanates bad smell Most likely, the animal is sick with otitis media, the cause of which was a respiratory illness.

Pneumonia develops against the background ophthalmological diseases or may provoke ocular, ear diseases. With timely treatment, the hamster recovers completely within a week.

Aujeszky's disease

Pseudorabies - deadly viral disease. The disease manifests itself severely nervous disorders. The hamster becomes restless and may show aggression. Attacks of excitement are replaced by complete apathy. A sick pet has poor coordination of movements. Celebrate muscle spasms, convulsions. Death occurs due to paralysis and severe exhaustion. Treatment is carried out with special serums.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis

One of viral infections which poses a danger to humans. May be latent (asymptomatic). The main signs are sudden weight loss, decreased activity, refusal to feed, frequent bowel movements, urination. Most often, the virus is transmitted from a hamster to newborn hamsters. In pregnant females, the disease provokes spontaneous miscarriages.

The infection is incurable, so if your pet is infected, it will unfortunately have to be euthanized.

Oral and dental diseases

Hamsters, like all rodents, grow their incisors throughout their lives, so owners should pay special attention to special attention oral hygiene and animal teeth. If your pet does not grind down his teeth, this will lead to injury, damage to the oral mucosa, and development of acute inflammation, the formation of abscesses and abscesses.

Pathologies and dental diseases in Djungarians and Syrians are manifested by redness of the mucous membranes, hypersalivation, decreased appetite, weight loss, abnormal growth, deformation of the incisors, and inflammation of the cheek pouches.

Inflammation of the cheek pouches is one of the most commonly diagnosed pathologies. Characterized by inflammation, prolapse (prolapse), appearance pathological formations. The disease develops due to injury to the oral mucosa. With this pathology, the animals behave restlessly, rubbing their cheeks and muzzle with their paws. Appetite decreases. Saliva flows from the mouth. As a rule, the pathological process affects the inner surface of the cheeks.

To relieve inflammation, you need to rinse your pet's mouth antiseptic solution, chamomile decoction. To normalize digestion, give your hamster probiotics and enzymes.

For neoplasms it is prescribed surgical treatment, general strengthening, symptomatic drugs.

If your hamster has inflamed cheek pouches, treatment should be carried out by a veterinarian. The specialist will carefully turn out the cheeks and clean them of food debris. Inflammation will be relieved by bactericidal drugs, antiseptics, medications for local and general treatment. After therapy, the hamster must be kept on a fasting diet for 12–14 hours.

Tumors (malignant, benign), pathological growths on the body, legs. ears is a fairly frequently diagnosed pathology in rodents, which can develop according to the most various reasons. Bumps can appear due to injuries, severe bruises, falling from a height. To begin treatment, you need to establish a diagnosis, so take your pet to a veterinarian.

For benign malignant tumors will be appointed surgical treatment. If the cancer is localized in a hard-to-reach area ( oral cavity), the tumor has metastasized, veterinarians recommend euthanizing the hamster, since none healing technique will not give the desired result.

Eye diseases and their treatment

Small animals often suffer from ophthalmological diseases. Allergic, serous, purulent conjunctivitis, cataracts, glaucoma, and uveitis are noted in hamsters. In these diseases, blepharospasm, lacrimation, swelling, swelling, and sticking of the eyelids are observed.

Treatment should begin immediately as soon as you notice the first symptoms. Do not forget that eye diseases can provoke not only deterioration visual function, but also cause complete or partial blindness.

IN therapeutic therapy the choice of methods depends on the stage, nature of the disease, and the root cause. Solutions for washing the eyes and ophthalmic drops may be prescribed.

Endocrine pathologies, gastrointestinal diseases

Endocrine disorders, metabolic failures, hormonal imbalance, malfunctions digestive tract in most cases it is caused by improper feeding of a small pet. Metabolic disorders can also be hereditary.

Among the most common endocrine pathologies in hamsters are:

• diabetes mellitus;
• obesity;
• vascular diseases;
• stone disease;
• polycystic ovary syndrome (in females).

Hormonal imbalances in females most often cause frequent childbirth and an unbalanced diet. Hamsters become lethargic or, on the contrary, irritable. The pet's tummy is swollen and the frequency of bowel movements is disrupted. Treatment is surgical.

Gastrointestinal diseases (poisoning, enteritis, food allergy) develop due to a violation of the feeding regime, if the hamster has a poor-quality, meager diet or due to exposure to various toxins on the body. The diseases are accompanied by unstable stools, rumbling in the stomach, decreased appetite, and lethargy. A veterinarian will tell you how to cure a hamster and what to do if the digestive processes are disrupted, having established an accurate diagnosis and cause.

Other diseases of hamsters

Hamsters are susceptible to cardiovascular pathologies, which can be congenital or acquired. Syrians and Dzungarians have problems at work excretory system(cystitis, pyelonephritis), nervous disorders(encephalitis), which develop against the background of severe stress, due to overheating. It is worth noting that great fear can provoke paralysis, cause cardiac arrest, which will lead to the death of the hamster.

In any case, if you notice that your pet’s behavior has changed, your pet has become lethargic and inactive, do not ignore the problem. Many hamster diseases can be cured in the early stages of development. Therefore, be sure to show your pet to a doctor or call a veterinarian at home. However, remember that many diseases and pathologies that occur in hamsters are easier to prevent thanks to proper care and content.

Why does a hamster go bald - no one can immediately answer this question, be it an educated veterinarian or an experienced owner with experience. In each specific case, you need to deal with the animal’s problem individually.

Good owners always take care of their pets and will immediately recognize when their little pets are sick. One of the common diseases of rodents is the appearance of bald spots on the fur.

First of all, the disease affects the area around the eyes, then the hamster's nose becomes bald. The hamster is also clearly balding on its back and abdomen.

Without special examinations Even the most experienced veterinarian will not be able to give a reliable answer to the question: Why do hamsters go bald? Let's take a look at several causes of hamster baldness and identify the most common ones.

The most common causes of baldness include:

• allergy to toilet litter or food,
• food poisoning,
• recent stress
• lack (vitaminosis) or excess of vitamins (hypovitaminosis),
• fungal infection
• the presence of skin mites,
• lichen

Contact your veterinarian

In order for your pet to recover, there are many specialized medications that can fight the disease of baldness. But if you want to quickly and effectively treat your pet, consulting a veterinarian is still necessary.

Only a qualified specialist will give an accurate assessment of hamster baldness, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.

The veterinarian determines why a hamster is going bald based on preliminary tests of the rodent. Under a specialized lamp, a thorough examination of the animal’s skin is carried out and a skin scraping is taken.

Treatment is prescribed after receiving test results and a comprehensive review of symptoms. The main thing is to consult a doctor in time, diagnose the disease, identify its cause and begin treatment, and your animal will regain its excellent fur!

The hamster is going bald, we try to treat it ourselves

But, if you can’t turn to a specialist right now, you will have to treat your pet for baldness yourself. Let's look at it in order possible reasons diseases.

Allergy

The litter can serve as a source of infection and quite often leads to allergic reactions in hamsters, which can subsequently cause baldness. The filler can be replaced with regular paper napkins or towels.

To exclude the possibility of an allergy to the contents of the cage, carry out general cleaning. To begin, remove all contents, litter, branches or stones, and other toys of your pet from the cage. All porous items should be thrown away and replaced with others.

Thoroughly disinfect everything your pet comes into contact with, and also treat the animal’s home! Buy a disinfectant at a specialized pet store and be sure to follow the instructions for using the product.

The use of household chemicals is also allowed. Leave objects that the hamster has come into contact with in the solution for several hours, and then rinse them thoroughly under a strong stream of water.

It would be wrong to use antifungal ointments, and therefore to advise them, because without a thorough analysis it is not possible to establish the cause of baldness. This means that treatment with ointment will most likely not be correct.

Remember, the use of any medication without consulting a veterinarian may lead to negative consequences, until the death of the animal.

Food poisoning

It is necessary to adjust the rodent's diet. First, you need to exclude fruits and vegetables from your diet. fresh. During this period, it is recommended to feed the hamster only with previously tested dry food. Drink exclusively clean filtered water.

Stress is the cause of baldness

The cause of baldness is often stress; the reason for it can be, for example, moving the cage to another place or “sharing” your pet with a neighbor.

Remember, most hamsters do not like company and do best alone. And when a neighbor imposes stress, both rodents will feel stress; the consequence of such stress can also be baldness of the hamster.

Other species also get sick. That's just it caring owners immediately notice that something is wrong with their pet. And those who are inattentive will ignore the problem and let the situation get worse. So that you can safely categorize yourself caring owners rodents, we invite you today to consider the situation of why a hamster is going bald. Why can this happen to a rodent, and how can you help it in this case?

Hair loss in a hamster

Internal health problems in living organisms inevitably affect their appearance. Therefore, it is not surprising that when your hamster has health problems, the condition of his coat may change; in the eye area, on the abdomen, in areas of the pelvic limbs, the pet’s fur may thin out, or even fall out completely. At the same time, it cannot be said that the skin in these areas must necessarily be inflamed and irritated, there should not necessarily be redness on it, and the hamster may not feel discomfort about his baldness, and will not try to comb these areas of the skin at all (find out ). But don’t let the rodent’s calm attitude towards its problem fool you. Something happened in the pet’s body, and this “something” triggered the mechanism of hair loss. And if you don't take action necessary measures, then the rodent can not only completely lose its fur, but also die.

Causes of baldness in a hamster

So, what could lead to the fact that the hamster suddenly began to go bald in places and the thickness of its fur changed? Without conducting special examinations in a veterinary clinic and passing the necessary tests, no experienced veterinarian will be able to answer this question. So, refrain from an absentee consultation, but hurry to show your pet to the veterinarian, only then will he be able to establish the cause, make a diagnosis and prescribe an appropriate course of treatment.

Trying to independently establish the cause, without conducting tests (which we will describe a little below, is useless). You can make a mistake, and then an incorrectly selected course of treatment may not only not bring results, but also aggravate the situation and worsen the health of your already balding hamster.

Diagnosis of the causes of hair loss in a hamster

As we have already said, no one will undertake to diagnose a rodent in absentia. good veterinarian. You will need to bring your hamster to a veterinary clinic, where specialists will examine its skin under a special lamp and take a skin scraping. You may need to have a blood test.

Only after the results of all tests and examinations are ready will you answer the veterinarian’s questions regarding what you feed your pet, how you care for it, and where it lives - it will be possible to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Treatment for a balding hamster

Depending on the reason that led to the hamster going bald, treatment will be prescribed. If baldness is associated with wrong diet nutrition, then the veterinarian will recommend that you change the mixture that you feed the rodent and temporarily switch it to a green diet with the addition of a variety of foods (acceptable for the hamster’s menu). As practice shows, within 1 month the hair on bald areas of the skin will begin to grow, and soon there will be no trace of baldness left.

When there are no reasons (from a veterinary point of view) for baldness, then most likely the situation is related to stress experienced by the rodent - in this case, you need to provide comfortable conditions accommodation for the hamster and stop being too intrusive, don’t bother him with your attention and let the baby come to his senses.

If it is a fungal infection or lichen, you will need to purchase special ones here antifungal ointments in a veterinary pharmacy, and smear them on balding areas of the skin...

Sometimes, allergies can be the cause of hamster baldness. Finding pathogens can be not so easy, so start with... . Most often, it becomes the source of infection and leads to the development allergic reaction. Get rid of sawdust or wood filler, and replace them with paper napkins (not newspapers or magazines!). After this, it will be possible to remove from the cage all porous objects with porous surfaces - pebbles, twigs and replace them with new ones. Also, it will be necessary to disinfect the cage and all its accessories - wheels, feeders, houses... However, for disinfection you need to use a special product that you purchase at a veterinary pharmacy, and not ordinary bleach. This will only kill your pet.

If even after taking these measures, the hamster’s baldness does not go away, but worsens even more, most likely the rodent is allergic to some component of its diet. Eliminate fresh fruits and vegetables from the hamster's menu for a while, temporarily switch the hamster to dry, high-quality food and clean water to drink.

If there are several hamsters living in a cage, it is better to isolate the one that is going bald for a while. This is necessary so that he does not infect others if the baldness is infectious or fungal in nature, and in order to eliminate the possibility of baldness due to stress for the reason that your hamster does not get along with his neighbors. It seems to us, the owners, that hamsters must be friends, but in nature, as in life, there are likes and dislikes, and rodents may not find a common language and cannot stand each other.

And finally, if your hamster is more than 2 years old, this is already a decent age for him, and it is not surprising that some irreversible processes associated with aging may begin in his body. Baldness is one of the symptoms of this process. So, you definitely won’t be able to help restore fur and stop the process of baldness in an aging hamster. The only thing in your power is to provide him with comfortable living conditions and the right diet.