Skin neoplasia in a hamster

8 Skin neoplasia in a hamster




INITIAL PRESENTATION


Skin lesion in a Syrian hamster.



Introduction


Historically, owners of small rodents have been reluctant to consult veterinary clinicians for treatment of illnesses in their pets. However, there is often a close bond between owner and pet, particularly if a child is the predominant carer, and the veterinary clinician will now regularly be called upon to treat these animals. It is important to provide an attentive and professional service, as this is an opportunity to imprint the importance of animal welfare and veterinary care of pets in the child’s formative years.



CASE PRESENTING SIGNS


An 18-month-old male Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) (see Box 8.1) presented as a second opinion case with a non-healing lesion on the lateral body wall.



BOX 8.1 Ecology of Syrian hamsters



• Hamsters are members of the Muridae family, with 12 species of hamster in the sub-family Cricetinae

• Syrian hamsters are also known as golden hamsters

• Range in the wild: small area of north-western Syria. Classified as Endangered (at risk of extinction) by the IUCN

• Normal habitat: arid or semi-arid areas, from rocky mountain slopes and steppe to cultivated fields. Nocturnal/crepuscular (more nocturnal in captivity). Excavate a burrow <2 m long

• Solitary animal. Aggressive towards other hamsters (fight if kept in a group)

• Average weight: 100–125 g

• Length: 13–13.5 cm, tail 1.5 cm

• Free-ranging diet: herbivorous – mainly seeds and nuts. Sometimes take insects such as ants, flies, cockroaches and wasps. Perform caecotrophy

• Reproduction: hamsters become sexually mature soon after weaning, between 56 and 70 days old. Male and female meet briefly to copulate. Usually breed only once annually in the wild (although can breed year round in captivity). Gestation 15–18 days. Litter of 8–10 pups on average (can be up to 20) Altricial young, being born hairless and blind, are cared for by the female. Weaned around 3 weeks of age

• Longevity: 2–3 years

• Hibernate if environmental temperature <5°C

• Use incisors and fore-feet for self-grooming

• Use scent glands to mark territory

• Can hoard up to half the animal’s body weight in food within the cheek pouches

• Extensively used in research, particularly using the cheek pouches that are immunologically privileged sites.


Husbandry


The hamster was housed in a commercial hamster cage approximately 80 × 40 × 30 cm, comprising coated metal bars with a plastic base and tubing. A running wheel was provided. Newspaper covered the floor of the cage, with shredded paper as a burrowing substrate. The plastic hide contained cloth-based nesting material. The hamster used a glass jar on its side – containing soiled bedding – as a latrine. The hamster was handled daily, with extra exercise in a plastic hamster exercise ball twice a week. There were no other pets in the household.


A commercial rodent mix was provided as the main proportion of the diet. Small amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables – including apple and broccoli – were offered from time to time. Water was provided in a sipper bottle. Fresh food and water were provided daily, and the cage was cleaned out once a week.



NURSING ASPECT



• Do not use cotton wool or synthetic fibres as nesting material for hamsters. The fibres may wrap around limbs, causing constrictions, or become impacted in cheek pouches.


Case History


The hamster was purchased from a local petshop and had been in the owner’s possession for 15 months. The owner noticed a mass on the hamster’s flank 1 month before presentation. The hamster had been seen by another veterinary clinician for treatment, but no improvement was seen after a course of enrofloxacin.


• No previous history of medical problems

• Hamster bright, active and eating well. Normal urine and faeces passed

• Mass on left flank: initially a smooth surface and approximately 0.5 cm diameter, but it had increased in size since noted and the surface had become irregular and moist. No pruritus noted.


Clinical Examination


As the hamster was habituated to handling, a reasonably complete examination was possible. Findings included:


• Good body condition, weighing 110 g

Related posts:

  1. Stomatitis in a Harris’ hawk
  2. The exotic pet consultation
  3. Trauma in an amphibian
  4. Dystocia in a snake

Stay updated, free articles. Join our Telegram channel
Tags:
Sep 3, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Skin neoplasia in a hamster

Full access? Get Clinical Tree
Get Clinical Tree app for offline access