My 2 1/2 year old hamster has a patch of dry flaky skin?

I just noticed today that my hamster has some flaky skin on top of his back where he is able to get at it with his back legs (thus he is irratating it more). I've pretty much ruled out mites etc and have been using the same shavings. Besides the patch of dryness nothing else has changed, he still eats alot.


Just wondering if there is anything safe to apply to it to help with the itching?


I don't really have money for a vet check up and doubt they would tell me over the phone without a visit.


Thanks

My 2 1/2 year old hamster has a patch of dry flaky skin?
Why did you rule out mites? The only way to detect mites is if the vet scrapes a portion of the skin and examines it. I know because I have had this done with 2 hamsters.


Anyway, you definitely may want to take the hamster to the vet because it could be mites or something more serious. If he keeps irritating the spot, he will continue to sctrach it until it becomes raw and at that point, it can get infected. Inital visits to the vet for a hamster with this type of problem is about $40.00. If that is too much, then maybe you can try calling a vet and explain the problem over the phone and they can give you some home remedies on what you can do. Try calling around anyway... they may surprise you.


The other thing is that if you have a female hamster, it could also be a hormonal problem. ( I had this happen too.)
Reply:Looks like a sign of old age!!
Reply:You might want to check Wal-Mart, PetCo, or another pet store for a special medicine drops/applicant for your hamster. Your hamster may have a skin infection, with dry flaky skin patches, redness and fur loss as symptoms. Possible causes include, parasites such as mites, allergies or an imbalanced diet. However, if your hamster has no other symptoms apart from the fur loss, then this may be due to the age of your hamster which can loose fur as they become elderly.
Reply:Well maybe you can go to your local pet store (Don't go to Petco, their employees arent very educated about animals), I suggest that you go to Petsmart and tell them about your hamster and ask if they have any creams or something you can put on it so it will go away. I'm pretty sure that they will have something for you there!
Reply:Nothing a belt-sander cant fix!