Possible growth on hamster

[kitduke]

For context, I am looking after my siblings hamster while they are at university, so I might not know all details of hamster care. I am just trying to get an idea of what might be wrong with the hamster before I go and worry them possibly unnecessarily. That being said, I can always contact them if more detail is required.

As for the issue, there seems to be a growth on the hamster’s bottom lip. I initially thought it was food caught to the mouth but it looks like flesh, hanging from the lip almost. I attached as good quality photo I could but he is very wriggly!

He doesn’t seem to be behaving abnormally, (although I don’t have a comparison as I don’t usually look after him) he is feeding and foraging and doesn’t seem lethargic, which might be a good sign.

Any help is appreciated, thanks for reading.

 

[Maz]

Hello and welcome. Is it on his lip or on his tongue? It could be a number of things really. A little warty thing or an infected small abscess or something. The only real way to know for sure and what to do about it (ie whether treatment is needed and what treatment) is to take him for a vet appointment. An exotic vet is best if possible as they know more about hamsters. Sometimes they will know if it's nothing to worry about and be left - and sometimes they might not be sure and might want to try antibiotics and anti inflammatories first to see if it goes - or maybe want to remove it. It may be benign but sometimes these things can get bigger if left or become non-benign. It might even be something to do with his teeth - a mini abscess - which could just be lanced.

How old is he and is he eating ok? Age can also make a difference to whether a vet thinks something needs doing or not.

 

[kitduke]

Hello and welcome. Is it on his lip or on his tongue? It could be a number of things really. A little warty thing or an infected small abscess or something. The only real way to know for sure and what to do about it (ie whether treatment is needed and what treatment) is to take him for a vet appointment. An exotic vet is best if possible as they know more about hamsters. Sometimes they will know if it's nothing to worry about and be left - and sometimes they might not be sure and might want to try antibiotics and anti inflammatories first to see if it goes - or maybe want to remove it. It may be benign but sometimes these things can get bigger if left or become non-benign. It might even be something to do with his teeth - a mini abscess - which could just be lanced.

How old is he and is he eating ok? Age can also make a difference to whether a vet thinks something needs doing or not.

Hi, thanks so much for replying! I’m fairly sure it’s on his lip. I believe he is coming up on two years, so he is older now. From what I can see, his appetite is normal. He comes out to forage when I scatter his food about, and eats the dried mealworms I offer him. I’ll see if I can book a vet appointment for him, just to check it out a bit better.

 

[Maz]

I think that's a good idea. He is quite elderly at two years old so must be doing well. A vet might decide not to do anything in that case, unless it's affecting him eating. But it would be good to get it checked out in case it's something simple.

I'm guessing he's a dwarf hamster? It's hard to tell from the photo