13 replies to this topic

[Hamsterkid09]

 Hi! My hamster bubbles has unfortunately gotten mites and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for treating it and making him more comfortable. I took him to the vet and they gave me an oral medication to start him on and recommended I completely clean his enclosure. It's pretty severe and the vet said he may not make it so I want to give him the best life possible until then. He also is very stressed so Im trying to avoid handling him as much as possible. Regarding cleaning his enclosure, what's the best way to disinfect the enclosure itself and different plastic/ceramic/wood items?

 

Here is information about my hamster -

Age: 1 yr and about 2/3 months

Gender: Male

Species: Russian dwarf

 

 

 

[Kikya]

Hi! My hamster bubbles has unfortunately gotten mites and I was wondering if anyone had any tips for treating it and making him more comfortable. I took him to the vet and they gave me an oral medication to start him on and recommended I completely clean his enclosure. It's pretty severe and the vet said he may not make it so I want to give him the best life possible until then. He also is very stressed so Im trying to avoid handling him as much as possible. Regarding cleaning his enclosure, what's the best way to disinfect the enclosure itself and different plastic/ceramic/wood items? [/size]


Here is information about my hamster -[/size]
Age: 1 yr and about 2/3 months[/size]
Gender: Male[/size]
Species: Russian dwarf[/size]

If it were me, I'd put him in a temporary bin cage with minimal clean items. I would clean everything in the main cage with glass or ceramic with a 10% bleach solution, bake your wooden items for 30 minutes at 200 degrees F. Throw out anything you can't clean this way, bedding, chew toys, etc.

While he's in the temp cage, get some food grade diatomaceous earth. Roll a stop in it, tap off the excess, and put a tiny swab on the back of the neck. Once a week until the mites are gone.

Also, I would check your humidity is lower than 50%. Mites have a hard time surviving in lower than 50% humidity.

When you say he's having a hard time, what is going on with him? Mites aren't usually life threatening.

Edited by Kikya, 07 August 2022 - 10:09 AM.

[Hamsterkid09]

If it were me, I'd put him in a temporary bin cage with minimal clean items. I would clean everything in the main cage with glass or ceramic with a 10% bleach solution, bake your wooden items for 30 minutes at 200 degrees F. Throw out anything you can't clean this way, bedding, chew toys, etc.

While he's in the temp cage, get some food grade diatomaceous earth. Roll a stop in it, tap off the excess, and put a tiny swab on the back of the neck. Once a week until the mites are gone.

Also, I would check your humidity is lower than 50%. Mites have a hard time surviving in lower than 50% humidity.

When you say he's having a hard time, what is going on with him? Mites aren't usually life threatening.

Thank you! I will definitely look into getting diatomaceous earth and I'm going to clean everything today/tomorrow. To be completely honest we aren't really sure what else is going on besides mites. The vet knows for a fact he has mites but because he is also very lethargic and is acting very spaced out, they are looking into other illnesses like cushings disease etc. It could also just be that he is a rescue and is older in age.

[Kikya]

Thank you! I will definitely look into getting diatomaceous earth and I'm going to clean everything today/tomorrow. To be completely honest we aren't really sure what else is going on besides mites. The vet knows for a fact he has mites but because he is also very lethargic and is acting very spaced out, they are looking into other illnesses like cushings disease etc. It could also just be that he is a rescue and is older in age. [/size]

I have a hamster with Cushing's and I find the most common misdiagnosis is mites or fungal infection because they have similar symptoms like hair loss. Have you notice his skin growing thinner, more easily cut, hair loss, increased eating or drinking?

[Hamsterkid09]

I have a hamster with Cushing's and I find the most common misdiagnosis is mites or fungal infection because they have similar symptoms like hair loss. Have you notice his skin growing thinner, more easily cut, hair loss, increased eating or drinking?

I have noticed almost all those symptoms and it's very possible he has cushings. The confusing part is that when the vet did the paper towel test, you could see the little mites crawling around. Is it common to have both mites and cushing's? 

Edited by Hamsterkid09, 08 August 2022 - 12:00 AM.

[Kikya]

I have noticed almost all those symptoms and it's very possible he has cushings. The confusing part is that when the vet did the paper towel test, you could see the little mites crawling around. Is it common to have both mites and cushing's? [/size]

Yes, mites are common when the immune system is low so it's possible to have both. If your doctor is willing to try, he could do a couple weeks trial of trilostane. To see if the hair starts growing back. Trilostane doesn't work on every single form of cushings, however it works on the most common forms and is the only treatment available. The other thing he could try is a test for cortisol levels but it can be difficult to do the test on a hamster. Whether it's blood or urine.

Did you doctor discuss options for Cushings? Like simultaneously testing? Do you have pictures of him?

Edited by Kikya, 08 August 2022 - 01:53 AM.

[Kikya]

I will say it's not common for dwarf hamsters to be diagnosed with Cushing's but whether that is because it gets confused with other issues or because it's less common in dwarves I'm not sure.

Cushing's can affect pretty much any mammal.

Edited by Kikya, 08 August 2022 - 04:15 AM.

[Hamsterkid09]

Yes, mites are common when the immune system is low so it's possible to have both. If your doctor is willing to try, he could do a couple weeks trial of trilostane. To see if the hair starts growing back. Trilostane doesn't work on every single form of cushings, however it works on the most common forms and is the only treatment available. The other thing he could try is a test for cortisol levels but it can be difficult to do the test on a hamster. Whether it's blood or urine.

Did you doctor discuss options for Cushings? Like simultaneously testing? Do you have pictures of him?

I brought it up to the vet and they said it was possible but they want to see if the mite treatment works before we try trilostane.

[Kikya]

I brought it up to the vet and they said it was possible but they want to see if the mite treatment works before we try trilostane.

Well good job Vet, for considering it. I would do the steps above for mites and see how it goes but if it doesn't change his behavior and fur doesn't start growing back, there's definitely something else going on.

[Peach123]

How is your hamster getting on? I’ve a similar situation at the moment !

[Kitra]

If it were me, I'd put him in a temporary bin cage with minimal clean items. I would clean everything in the main cage with glass or ceramic with a 10% bleach solution, bake your wooden items for 30 minutes at 200 degrees F. Throw out anything you can't clean this way, bedding, chew toys, etc.

While he's in the temp cage, get some food grade diatomaceous earth. Roll a stop in it, tap off the excess, and put a tiny swab on the back of the neck. Once a week until the mites are gone.

Also, I would check your humidity is lower than 50%. Mites have a hard time surviving in lower than 50% humidity.

When you say he's having a hard time, what is going on with him? Mites aren't usually life threatening.

Sorry if i’m being dumb but what does it mean to “roll a stop in it”?? i’m struggling with mites rn and and am trying to do whatever it is you said to do but i’m not sure what that means 😞

[Kikya]

Sorry if i’m being dumb but what does it mean to “roll a stop in it”?? i’m struggling with mites rn and and am trying to do whatever it is you said to do but i’m not sure what that means

Haha sorry, sometimes I answer questions on my phone and auto correct is so annoying.

Roll a qtip in it

[Kitra]

Haha sorry, sometimes I answer questions on my phone and auto correct is so annoying.

Roll a qtip in it

Ohh ok tysm!!!

[Hamsterkid09]

How is your hamster getting on? I’ve a similar situation at the moment !

Hi! So far I have given him 1 dose of the medication the vet recommended and he has grown back lots of fur and his mood and behavior has changed completely! He is much more energetic. Unfortunately giving him the meds and going to the vet has made him a bit scared of me but i'm sure he will trust me again after a while. I'm going to check in a few days to see if I have to give him another dose and if all goes well I will be able to move him back into his normal enclosure. Thanks everyone for the help!