I think my hamster has fleas

[Odair]

I could not find any hamster specific flea product where I live (Brazil). Could I use frontline for cats?

 

[RainbowBrite]

Hello Odair. Frontline will not be safe for your hamster. Do you have any other pets such as cats or dogs? If not then it is not likely your hamster has fleas but they may have mites. Could you list the symptoms they have?

 

[Odair]

He is scratching himself a lot and there are some dark dots similar to flea excrement on his fur.

The hamster isn't really mine I have only seen a video of him. I will try to examine him today.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Does your friend have a dog or cat for the hamster to have caught fleas?

 

[Member ID2]

I wouldn't use It because it could be far too harsh for a hamster and possibly kill the hamster along with the fleas.

That is only my opinion because i don't know the answer. A vet should know and be able to prescribe a suitable treatment.

 

[Odair]

There are no cats or dogs around, but we've gotten a second hand cage that perhaps was not disinfected very thoroughly.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Oh I see. That could be it then. I am sorry to hear this as I imagine it would be difficult to find a vet who can treat hamsters.

 

[elusive]

It is possible there may have been fleas in the cage but it does seem unlikely that you wouldn’t have noticed them or they wouldn’t have been removed if the cage was cleaned at all so it could well be something else.
Hamsters are very sensitive so I wouldn’t treat the problem, whatever it may be, without seeing a vet first.

 

[Odair]

I took a look, he looked fine. He wasn't scratching himself anymore, and no fleas. I'll keep watching him and take him to the vet if I it seems that he has something.

 

[RainbowBrite]

This is great news. Thank you for updating us.