The hamster has itchy elbows, thighs and paws - 1/4
Like 1 Dislike 0 Published on 20 Feb 2014
This dwarf hamster suffers from an allergy, but the cause is not known. He bites his elbow and thigh skin till there are bite wounds and inflammation of redness. He is hospitalised for 3 days, his inflamed areas shaved and cleaned. Oral anti-inflammatory medicine reduced his itchiness. He bit my forefinger when I tried to restrain him.
The owner is advised not to feed pellets with colouring. However, the actual cause is unknown. Dwarf hamsters, like dogs, suffer from allergies. Sometimes they are caused by commercial dry food. That is why I advise not feeding pellets for a trial. Very itchy paws, elbows, thighs and knees as evident by continuous biting are caused by allergies to sometimes, the environment (bedding, sand bath, poor cage hygiene etc) or exposure to feeding (brand of food, pellets and their colouring). It is very difficult to know the exact cause or causes.