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I just got a young hamster (Teddy Bear) and noticed the ...

Sent to Pet Experts January 20 2006 at 7:22 PM
   

I just got a young hamster (Teddy Bear) and noticed the very next day it had a scab like thing on it's lip. I didn't handle her so she could get settled in her new environment and I didn't hear her gnaw on the cage (plastic and wire). It has been 4 days now and its lip is gone. It's front teeth are exposed. I can bring the hamster back to the petstore (I have 14 days), but I am attached to the little thing. Is this something to worry about? Will it get worse? She is eating and drinking, but not terribly active. Optional Information: Age: <1; Female; Breed: Teddy Bear HamsterAlready Tried: Nothing. Just not handling her.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on January 20 2006 at 7:25 PM

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
January 21 2006 at 3:30 AM (8 hours and 8 minutes and 34 seconds later)
         
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If you don't want to take the hamster back I'd suggest taking her to the vet.

Rodents don't have a very long lifespan and have a tendency to develop malignant tumors. You could also be looking at a septic infection or an ulcerated legion. She could have had the injury/infection when she left the pet store and you just didn't notice. Stress from the move may have attributed to the speed of which it developed.

You could try applying some triple antibiotic ointment to the area. Also keep her cage as clean as possible.
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