My Bravo might be addicted to hamsters!!??..... that would explain a lot. Yeah I'm gonna definitely try one now see if that gets him going again.

A 75w bulb sounds like a good idea, but why would I still need it after I set up the heat panel?

Yes, at this point if he doesn't eat the hamster after the improved temp and humidity conditions are in place and consistent, then I'll take him.

I realize I don't have the numbers to give you, but what would be considered a "substantial amount of weight loss"? In 5 months he has lost weight of course, but I don't really know how to tell how much is too much because to me he still behaves normally (social, active at night, etc) and it wasn't until his recent bad shed and the falling scales phenomenon that I began to worry.