What do you do about mites???

[chrisny]

:hamster1: My hamster is always itching. I'm thinking he has mites.....Is there anything to treat mites? I looked but the pet store I go to doesn't have anything for mites. Can you use the bird protector for lice and mites that they use for birds cages, the only thing is I have a tank it maybe to much for him, they do sell size small. Maybe I can just hang it somewhere ouside of the tank, I don't know, would that even help??????????

[Chaos]

You probably need to take him to the vet to get ivermectin. The vet will be able to tell whether he actually has mites or not.

What kind of bedding do you use? Some types can cause itching and allergies, and other times hamsters are just sensitive even to the safe beddings.

[chrisny]

Most of the time I use pine shavings. I have used the CareFresh but I don't really care for that bedding.Once in awhile when I run out of pine and have nothing else I use paper from my paper shredder. Now and then I give him Bed Fluff to put in his house, he likes it! Tha.....

[7GameSavvy]

Oh boy, ok, don't use fluff or pine shavings!!!

The aromatic oils in the pine are probably what's making him itch. Use Aspen, shredded up newspaper (made with soy ink), corn cob, or Care Fresh. Pine, Cedar, and other hard woods are REALLY bad for small animals and could kill your ham.

Secondly, fluff gets stuck in their pouches and they can choke or suffocate (sp?) on it. So don't use it!!! Did you do any research before you got your ham???

Oh, and don't use pine for your guinea pigs or bunny either. It's just as bad for them. But it is good to put in your dog bed to keep it smelling fresh.

Savvy

[Chaos]

Yup, like what was said above its probably the pine, pine releases phenols that cause respiratory problems.

Aspen is the only safe WOOD bedding.

Switch to a safer bedding and see if the itching stops.

Also again, the fluff is extremely dangerous. As well as the cheeck pouch thing it can get caught around limbs or choke a hamster. It also CANNOT be digested, so if swallowed its fatal.

[chrisny]

Thank you for the information...I will switch to Aspen asap. With the Bed Fluff, why do they make & sell these things if they are harmful???? Some people (like myself) don't know and think we are making them have a nice safe little cozy home and but really we're not!!!

[7GameSavvy]

The thing about the fluff being harmful is relatively new information and the companies that make and sell it don't want to lose money so they hope people who don't know any better or don't care will buy their product.

At my pet store they actually have a sign that says "we don't use cedar or other harmful hard woods with our small animals" or something to that affect, but they sell cedar and pine anyway!!!:mad:

Savvy

[TiaMaria]

I for one have been using Pine bedding since day one and NONE of my hamster have EVER had any problems on it. I use kiln dried pine which has no smell and also has little to no dust.

After that said.

If he has mites you should see little black dots on his skin or in his fur. Reguardless if you think he has them or not he should see a vet for a proper diagnoses.

[7GameSavvy]

Yeppers, Tia is right. You should bring the ham to the vet and they can tell you if it's the bedding or mites or what ever:)

Savvy

[TiaMaria]

Keep us informed on your situation, we always like to know what happens to the little guys/gals after our advice.

[7GameSavvy]

Yeah, totally:)

Savvy

[Chaos]

I for one have been using Pine bedding since day one and NONE of my hamster have EVER had any problems on it. I use kiln dried pine which has no smell and also has little to no dust.

After that said.

If he has mites you should see little black dots on his skin or in his fur. Reguardless if you think he has them or not he should see a vet for a proper diagnoses.

Kiln dried pine is safe.... until it gets wet. Then it releases the same phenols as regular pine. I'm sure most of us have had a water bottle leak before, its just not a chance I'd personally take.

[7GameSavvy]

Really Chaos??? I did not know that....thanks for the info. Of course I don't use Pine anyway, I like Aspen better:)

Savvy

[amandacc26]

To all of those who have responded rudely on this forum-you know who you are,

As I read more and more postings I wonder why some of you bother to be on this forum if you are so bothered by "ignorant" people asking questions. Please, if you are bothered or angered by people who are asking for help, stop answering posts. It’s an easy way to deal with that frustration.

Of course, the majority of us who bother to ask others on a forum for help, have done research prior to getting our hamsters. In case you have not done any research lately yourself...there is quite a bit of conflicting information. Along with products marketed for animals that are not good for them. Many of these products even have a vet's seal on approval.

If you are burdened by people who ask for help regarding the pets they love, then it is time for you to do something else with your free time.

As for me, I will be looking for help from another, friendlier site.

Amanda

[7GameSavvy]

You could say that about a lot of threads on this forum Amanda....

Savvy

[TiaMaria]

Amanda, you need to get a grip and a life. Some people are rude. DEAL with it! Everyone here has a good heart and tries there best. So maybe u should take your own advice and STFU!

[7GameSavvy]

Tia, that was kinda rude.

Savvy

[TiaMaria]

Yea well possibly but when someone comes in disrespecting my "family" on petshub I get defensive. In her previous post I gave her all the info she needed. Some people I tell ya. :-@

[7GameSavvy]

Maybe she wasn't talking to you, she was probably talking to me. :mischievo :sly: :Dlol