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Absolutely. That was just to show what they were. I did mention you could buy them loose in pet shops above
. A bulk pack would last for years and go out of date probably (with one hamster anyway).
. A bulk pack would last for years and go out of date probably (with one hamster anyway).
M
Member ID2
Update on Clive regarding his medical condition.
I applied one treatment of xeno to rule out an overgrowth of demodex which made no difference to his fur but his poops look normal again.
Hamsters have demodex mites naturally and can have internal parasites without showing any symptoms.
I suspect that Clive may have had internal parasites because Rodney had a dwarf tapeworm and must have contracted it from somewhere so i was very much in favour of trying anti parasite treatment.
That's demodex ruled out now.
Clive's hairloss has not improved and he is now showing spots of dark pigmentation on his back which can be a symptom of cushing's.
Clive has always had an unusual posture with a humped kind of appearance. It does not affect his mobility and he runs on his wheel like any other hamster.
So, the questions are:
What is wrong with Clive and would it benefit to know?
I applied one treatment of xeno to rule out an overgrowth of demodex which made no difference to his fur but his poops look normal again.
Hamsters have demodex mites naturally and can have internal parasites without showing any symptoms.
I suspect that Clive may have had internal parasites because Rodney had a dwarf tapeworm and must have contracted it from somewhere so i was very much in favour of trying anti parasite treatment.
That's demodex ruled out now.
Clive's hairloss has not improved and he is now showing spots of dark pigmentation on his back which can be a symptom of cushing's.
Clive has always had an unusual posture with a humped kind of appearance. It does not affect his mobility and he runs on his wheel like any other hamster.
So, the questions are:
What is wrong with Clive and would it benefit to know?
R
RainbowBrite
Personally, I feel Clive is a wonderful age. His hair loss does not seem to be bothering him. I know he gets very stressed at the vets so I would not do anything. He sounds very happy to me and that is what matters.
M
Member ID2
Thank you for your comment RainbowBrite.
I feel the same way but am currently researching illnesses of the endocrine system to get an idea of what to expect and prepare for more advanced symptoms, should they arise.
Aside from the exposure due to the hairloss and the pigmentation, Clive's skin looks fine at the moment.
I wished i could knit him a little waistcoat to keep warm, lol.
Saying that, one curious thing about Clive i have always noticed is his warmth. He has always felt warmer to the touch than the others.
They vary so much in that regard as well.
Rodney has always had cold paws, same as Henry.
I feel the same way but am currently researching illnesses of the endocrine system to get an idea of what to expect and prepare for more advanced symptoms, should they arise.
Aside from the exposure due to the hairloss and the pigmentation, Clive's skin looks fine at the moment.
I wished i could knit him a little waistcoat to keep warm, lol.
Saying that, one curious thing about Clive i have always noticed is his warmth. He has always felt warmer to the touch than the others.
They vary so much in that regard as well.
Rodney has always had cold paws, same as Henry.
R
RainbowBrite
It is nice that Clive feels warm despite his hair loss. I would say that means he is okay and not feeling the cold.
I see Clive in a Fisherman type jumper.
I see Clive in a Fisherman type jumper.
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Agree with Rainbow that maybe it doesn't actually matter what it is. Although I can understand wanting to know to be prepared. Just keep an eye on him. Charlie had dark pigmentation on his skin from about the age of 2. He didn't have hair loss. He did get a pot belly though. He was suspected Cushings but I doubted the diagnosis. I hadn't noticed if any hamsters felt warmer than others before - but then I haven't had as many Syrians as you have! I do remember Moo always had very cold feet!
M
Member ID2
No, i don't need a diagnosis if it would involve invasive tests because that would stress Clive out and wouldn't change the outcome.
I don't think there's a cure for illnesses of the endocrine system if that's the problem, only treatments to reverse some of the symptoms but i read that it is difficult to get the dosage right.
Clive is not in pain or uncomfortable, he has settled down more and he trusts me which is what is important.
If anything changes in the future that would cause him distress, i'd seek medical advice.
Thank you both for your input. I think i was looking for reassurance that i'm doing what is best for Clive.
I remember when Henry took ill and the vet suspected bladder stones because anti biotics were ineffective, he gave me the option of a referral to the exotics hospital for further investigation or an ultrasound scan but pointed out that it wasn't likely to change the outcome because Henry was already too weak for surgery.
The vet also told me that some people want a diagnosis and will try everything medically possible so he has to give all the options.
I decided to keep Henry on Metacam and let him live out his life without any further medical interventions.
I don't think there's a cure for illnesses of the endocrine system if that's the problem, only treatments to reverse some of the symptoms but i read that it is difficult to get the dosage right.
Clive is not in pain or uncomfortable, he has settled down more and he trusts me which is what is important.
If anything changes in the future that would cause him distress, i'd seek medical advice.
Thank you both for your input. I think i was looking for reassurance that i'm doing what is best for Clive.
I remember when Henry took ill and the vet suspected bladder stones because anti biotics were ineffective, he gave me the option of a referral to the exotics hospital for further investigation or an ultrasound scan but pointed out that it wasn't likely to change the outcome because Henry was already too weak for surgery.
The vet also told me that some people want a diagnosis and will try everything medically possible so he has to give all the options.
I decided to keep Henry on Metacam and let him live out his life without any further medical interventions.
M
Member ID2
Just sat on top of the stairs eating my dinner while Clive was in the playground.
He gave me that look that made me get up to fetch a small plate to give him a bit of my mash!
And that was after Clive had cleared his plate of fresh food in his cage earlier.
He gave me that look that made me get up to fetch a small plate to give him a bit of my mash!
And that was after Clive had cleared his plate of fresh food in his cage earlier.
R
RainbowBrite
What a clever boy to know how to make you feel bad!
M
Member ID2
Hamsters are good at that.
M
Member ID2
The two old boys don't want to come out tonight and are staying in their nests (the central heating has been on all evening so it's not cold!). The two Robos don't want to come our and Syrian Jack has been out but has gone back to bed.
That means that Syrian Clive has the evening to himself and is currently free roaming for the third time.
But, before he asked to come out he made sure to close the door of his house to keep any human intruders out!
That means that Syrian Clive has the evening to himself and is currently free roaming for the third time.
But, before he asked to come out he made sure to close the door of his house to keep any human intruders out!
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I thought you meant his cage door for a minute! I was trying to imagine him doing that 
. Lucky Clive having the house to himself. Raffy didn't want to come out last night either - rebuffed me when I offered the tube. Then wanted to come out just as I was going to bed.
. Lucky Clive having the house to himself. Raffy didn't want to come out last night either - rebuffed me when I offered the tube. Then wanted to come out just as I was going to bed.
M
Member ID2
Even Clive has gone to bed now.
Did Raffy get up yet?
Did Raffy get up yet?
R
RainbowBrite
You could have had an early night for a change Beryl.
M
Member ID2
Clive's fur is starting to grow back a bit. Looks very patchy but he hasn't got a bare midriff now.
He's as energetic as ever and currently buzzing around me on the floor.
He's as energetic as ever and currently buzzing around me on the floor.
M
Member ID2
R
RainbowBrite
What a beautiful boy! Its wonderful his fur is growing back.