Colin - Full Write Up
We rescued Colin a long time ago. He was an unwanted elderly hybrid dwarf hamster - hybrids are a mix between a Campbell Russian dwarf hamster and a Winter White Russian dwarf hamster, it doesn't necessarily mean the parents of the offspring are different species, but at some point in the hamsters family history, there has been a cross between species.
His general movements also became slower which was suggestive of a potential neurological issue - possibly a form of stroke or brain tumour. Urinalysis had, fortunately, ruled out diabetes as a cause for a cataract developing as his urine had a negative glucose reading.
Before administering powerful medications to potentially manage a neurological issue (such as corticosteroids), we decided to monitor Colin for a brief period. Colin remained stable (apart from pre-existing sight loss), due to a lack of progressive neurological symptoms, we no longer suspected a brain tumour.
Colin became completely blind in the end. He relied on his other senses more; licking (taste/touch), smell etc. He also had a decline in spatial awareness. Vision loss would've explained his slower and more cautious movements. We suspected his vision loss was a primary issue rather than secondary.
Given his old age, we decided to step in and offer Colin a sanctuary spot within our care for retirement.
Initially, he was mildly aggressive due to being kept in inadequate housing, this lead to him becoming frustrated and stressed. Once we'd offered him an appropriate setup, his behavior soon changed.
Health:
We cannot definitively say all of Colin's health problems were due to him being a hybrid, however, most, if not all expert and renowned hamster breeders do not recommend deliberately crossing the species due to the extensive list of health problems that frequently occur and are associated with hybrids.
A note from the 'National Hamster Council':
"Russian Dwarf Campbell’s are one of two very similar species, the other being the Russian Dwarf Winter White. To the novice owner these species can look so similar that they are unable to tell them apart, however it is very important that these two species are not cross species bred resulting in hybrid offspring whom can inherit health problems."Unfortunately, for the average pet owner, if you purchased a dwarf hamster from a pet shop or backyard breeder, you're almost guaranteed to get a hybrid. Pure pedigree Winter Whites and Campbells are extremely hard to come by. Unless a breeder can show papers and/or a family tree, we advise you to stay away.
Vision Changes:
Back onto Colin in particular, for reasons that remain unclear even after his passing, Colin developed asymmetry with his eyes and a cataract too. If we had to guess, we would suspect aging to be the cause.
Before administering powerful medications to potentially manage a neurological issue (such as corticosteroids), we decided to monitor Colin for a brief period. Colin remained stable (apart from pre-existing sight loss), due to a lack of progressive neurological symptoms, we no longer suspected a brain tumour.
Colin became completely blind in the end. He relied on his other senses more; licking (taste/touch), smell etc. He also had a decline in spatial awareness. Vision loss would've explained his slower and more cautious movements. We suspected his vision loss was a primary issue rather than secondary.
Weight Maintenance:
A few months later, Colin was having difficulty maintaining his weight without supportive high-calorie foods. We introduced him to 'WUB' weight-gain porridge as well as other foods suggested by nutritional experts at 'Strongbrew Hamstery' to feed alongside his usual diet. These dietary amendments helped Colin regain all of the weight he had recently lost. At the time, we weren't sure if his weight loss was due to a larger issue, or less efficient food utilization due to old age.
Dermatology:
Colin developed pruritis (severe itching) and also developed several superficial wounds. We suspected a parasitic infestation, so we treated him with our go-to spot-on Ivermectin.
Colin's symptoms didn't subside, in fact, his pruritus only worsened and his skin became inflamed. We decided to trial Colin with topical Flamazine/Silver Sulfadiazine (antibiotic) alongside Metacam/Meloxicam (NSAID 1mg:1kg QD) - subtle improvements were observed but Colin remained symptomatic.
Colin was admitted at the veterinary practice for clinical investigation and non-invasive procedures. The vet performed a trichography (hair-pluck) which was unremarkable, however, skin scrapings showed some bacteria on the skin surface, which was suggestive of a bacterial infection. The vet prescribed Surolan antibiotic ear drops (containing miconazole nitrate, polymyxin B sulfate, prednisolone acetate), however, we used the medication as a topical cutaneous suspension.
Sadly, his skin issues persisted. Us and the vet had growing concerns about epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma. For a confirmed diagnosis, a skin biopsy was required. Although skin biopsies are highly invasive, given the possibility Colin had 'cancer' and the poor prognosis that would come with it, the risk was necessary on this occasion. As a precaution, topical medication was not applied 12hrs before the sample was taken for biopsy for a more accurate result(s).
The results from Colin's skin biopsy concluded hyperplastic dermatitis:
Surface mite fragments were also discovered. Colin was prescribed two treatments (to be given 4-weeks apart) of Stronghold/Selamectin (topical antiparasitic agent). If unsuccessful, antimicrobial agents were also an option.
Theoretically speaking, cancer in itself could not be completely ruled out. Cancer could've made Colin immunosuppressed, therefore allowing mite fragments to be present for a prolonged period. With that being said, the biopsy results made cutaneous lymphoma and other skin cancers less likely.
Colin's improvements were visible within a matter of days. Selamectin helped resolve Colin's skin issues.
Sadly, his skin issues persisted. Us and the vet had growing concerns about epitheliotropic cutaneous lymphoma. For a confirmed diagnosis, a skin biopsy was required. Although skin biopsies are highly invasive, given the possibility Colin had 'cancer' and the poor prognosis that would come with it, the risk was necessary on this occasion. As a precaution, topical medication was not applied 12hrs before the sample was taken for biopsy for a more accurate result(s).
The results from Colin's skin biopsy concluded hyperplastic dermatitis:
- 'Hyperplastic' refers to a state of hyperplasia. Hyperplasia refers to enlargement of a tissue or organ. This is usually caused by an increased rate of cell production.
- Dermatitis is general terminology for inflammation of the skin. It has many causes and forms.
Surface mite fragments were also discovered. Colin was prescribed two treatments (to be given 4-weeks apart) of Stronghold/Selamectin (topical antiparasitic agent). If unsuccessful, antimicrobial agents were also an option.
Theoretically speaking, cancer in itself could not be completely ruled out. Cancer could've made Colin immunosuppressed, therefore allowing mite fragments to be present for a prolonged period. With that being said, the biopsy results made cutaneous lymphoma and other skin cancers less likely.
Lymphoma and Passing:
A large mass was palpated within Colin's abdomen. He was also demonstrating signs of discomfort. We decided a vet visit was required. The vet believed the large mass was a tumour which couldn't be removed and given Colin's unresolvable suffering, humane euthanasia was advised. We gave our consent to let Colin go and requested a post-mortem.
Upon post-mortem, a sizable tumour was indeed discovered within Colin's abdomen. The mass was most likely lymphoma given its appearance and the frequency in which lymphoma sporadically develops with hamsters.
Colin passed away on 11th March 2019.
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