A 21-month-old dwarf hamster is very itchy and has a purplish lump. Pt 1/2
Channel: Dr David Sing
Date: 08/10/2018

Oct 8, 2018

5 Oct 2018.
The owner is very worried that Pipi, 21-month-old female dwarf hamster has a large reddish lump of around  5 mm across, located below and near the left armpit. She said the lump grew big within 2 days and might be a tumour. She wanted surgery. 

The tumour was excised 3 days after medication and skin cleaning. This hamster obsessively stored food in the left cheek pouch leading to rubbing and hair loss on the side of the face. 

Also the left ear area is bald (due to scratching of the impacted left cheek pouch, see video). 

As the lower skin is inflamed, the hamster will take antibiotics and anti-inflammatory for the next 3 days before surgical removal of the lump. The couple, in their 40s, will ensure that the hamster has a thicker more absorben bedding instead of a piece of tissue towel paper. The hamster likes to lie on her urinated area, causing lower body skin scalding.   

 
1. Impacted cheek pouch causes scratching, leading to itchiness. Limit number of pellets.

2. Scratching lower body - slept on urine - urine scalding causes hair loss from licking.

3. Stop applying cream and oil on inflamed skin. Use chlorhexidine to gently clean the skin diseased area. 

4. Bathe the hamster in warm bath in a tub for the next 3 days before surgery on Oct 12, 2018.