Hamsters are small rodents that make excellent house pets. They’re popular for their size and appearance and are relatively low-maintenance. However, hamsters may encounter certain health issues in their 2 to 4 years life span, such as a lump. If you notice a lump on your hamster’s body, you surely want to know if it’s something to worry about.
Your hamster has a lump, likely because of sickness—the lump results from infections or tumors, which can either be benign or malignant. You can’t determine whether your hamster has an abscess or a tumor by simply eyeballing and palpating. Take your hamster to the vet as soon as you can.
A licensed veterinarian will have to perform a needle aspirate biopsy and submit it for pathology to determine the nature of the lump. Keep reading to learn more about it.
An Infection Will Cause Abscess in Hamsters
Abscesses are masses on the skin resulting from localized pus buildup as part of the body’s response to infection. While this is a natural process to combat infection, the abscess may cause discomfort or distress. Common causes of infection in hamsters are discussed below: