Noticed a red, swollen cheek or a lump under your hamster’s skin? Learn more about skin abscesses in your furkid and the symptoms to watch for.
A skin abscess is an infected pocket of pus under the skin. It usually feels tender and looks red and swollen.
In hamsters, a skin abscess is typically caused by bacterial infection of wounds received while they are fighting with cage mates or from injuries caused by sharp objects in the cage.
If the lymph nodes around the neck are swollen, there may be an infection in the hamster’s cheek pouches.
What are the signs of a skin abscess?
Symptoms of a skin abscess include:
- Lump or swelling under the skin
- Foul smell
- Lethargy
- Lack of appetite
- Pus and blood on the fur
The type of bacteria causing the abscess is usually identified by an external laboratory test.
How is a skin abscess treated?
Treatment of skin abscesses include: draining the abscess and administering an antibiotic, or having it surgically removed.
If an abscess has already burst, your veterinarian will make sure all the contents of the abscess have been drained, and then flush the wound. This may involve lancing, which is a minor surgical procedure that cuts the skin with a sharp tool to release pus or pressure built up under the skin.
One of our hamster patients at Paws N’ Claws Vet, N, came in with swollen cheeks. We then noticed an abscess, which possibly resulted from N fighting with other siblings.
Dr Esther lanced the abscess from N’s cheeks to drain it, before flushing the wound.
N has since recovered from the abscess and is able to see from both eyes now, with the swelling having gone down. N has regained appetite and is as active as ever.
Click here to see a photo of N after the abscess was drained and flushed (Caution: graphic content.)
An abscess that has not ruptured can be surgically removed, and often heal better than those that are lanced, drained, and flushed. Your veterinarian may need to sedate or anaesthetise your hamster in order to do this.
The veterinary team may shave the area around the abscess, clean it, and prescribe medication or ointment containing antibiotics and steroids.
How to prevent skin abscesses
To prevent your hamster from getting a skin abscess, fighting hamsters should be separated from one another.
Make sure your pet’s cage has no sharp edges. Also, avoid bedding with wood shavings.
Fear-Free medical grooming
At the Medical Grooming Centre, we welcome all pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and other exotic species. We are affiliated with Paws N’ Claws Veterinary Surgery, a vet clinic that is also led by Fear-Free certified head veterinarian, Dr Esther Lam.
We are equipped with a wide range of facilities to provide Fear-Free medical grooming services.
These include skin diagnostics, such as allergy testing, microscopy, infectious disease testing, and more, as well as customised treatment of skin issues. If required, you can seek veterinary advice from Paws N’ Claws Vet.
Click here to view our services and price list.
For pets with milder medical issues, we offer teleconsultation with Dr Esther from the comfort of your home via video call.
Housecall grooming is also possible, subject to availability, if you’d prefer your pet to be groomed at home.
Medical Grooming Centre 