I. Fight Wounds
II. Mange Mites
Fight wounds in hamsters are common. Animals will attack each other, often for no apparent cause. Many times attacks occur when food and water are in short supply. Also females will attack males during mating. Males will fight briefly when first placed in new environments as a means of establishing social dominance. Subcutaneous abscesses are a frequent sequelae.
A. Etiology: Demodex criceti and Demodex aurati are mange mites of hamsters. High incidence of infestation occurs without clinical signs. The mites are generally found together. Demodex criceti is considered non-pathogenic and is found in the epidermis. Demodex aurati, the more pathogenic mite, is found in the pilosebaceous component of the skin.
B. Transmission: Demodex infestations are thought to be spread by direct contact.
C. Clinical Signs: Clinical signs can range from none to alopecia,
dry, scaly, scabby dermatitis, and rough hair coat. Alopecia generally
occurs over the rump and back. Predisposing factors are considered
necessary for the development of clinical signs including malnutrition,
concurrent systemic disease, and age. 
D. Diagnosis: Skin scrapings of alopecia skin will reveal mites.
Demodex criceti has a shorter body length and is scraped from epidermal
pits (A.). Demodex aurati is longer that Demodex criceti,
and is squeezed from the hair follicles (B.).
. 
F. Treatment: Lime and sulfur dips have been used successfully. Topical therapy with Mitaban or systemic therapy with ivermectin has also been effective.
G. Control: Clinical signs of demodiosis in hamsters are generally secondary
to immunosuppression. Prognosis for control will depend on the underlying
etiology. Adequate nutrition and good husbandry decrease the incidence
of clinical signs in infected hamsters.
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