Orsa

[Eriathwen]

True, they're so tiny even the smallest tumour is a hardship for them. My first hamster (syrian) passed from a tumour in his chest, the vet I used way back then was adamant it was a respiratory infection so we continued treating with baytril, sadly once he had passed the tumour was easily seen. Should it turn out to be a tumour I would opt for euthenasia for Orsa absolutely, I wouldn't want to put another through what poor Baldrick went through, I thought at the time I was doing the correct thing in trusting that previous vet but we live and learn. I luckily have access to multiple pain meds should it be needed, we've cycled through metacam, buprenorphine, gabapentin, paracetamol with the guinea pigs and while not a painkiller obviously, we were going to attempt penicillin injections for my gerbil before my vet found out I was allergic to them, he seems more than happy to use things off license in order to achieve the best results for the animals.
I consider myself extremely lucky to have the relationship with my vet that I do, the other week he taught me how to give my piggies their cartrophen injections myself at home to save them the stress of having to come into the practice once a month, as they're getting quite old now. He loses out on money that way but the animals needs come first always.

 

[Maz]

What a great name - Baldrick . IME hamster vets won't do anything out of the standard metacam and baytril (or possibly one other pain killer) normally. Coco on here has a very good vet in London that can actually take a blood sample from a hamster (which most vets say isn't possible). We need the equivalent of Oromorph for full palliative care I think. Some hamsters it's not even clear if they have a tumour if it's internal but fluid swelling can be a sign (and also a sign of other things like organ failure). They usually let us know if they're needing more help than they're getting though.

 

[Maz]

Mammary tumours (chest tumours) are very common apparently - even in male hamsters. One of our Syrians had that. He was fine on Metacam and then passed in his sleep. He didn't show any signs of being unwell or in pain. Tumours vary I suppose. I had one hamster I literally thought would burst and I knew he needed help. That time it was the right thing to do - to help him on his way.

 

[Eriathwen]

Thanks, he was such a lovely boy, I got him for my 16th birthday and absolutely treasured him. Hearing him wheeze was awful, I'm glad Orsas is just a little crackle. It traumatised me for quite some time after losing him, then of course we got a female, Crunchie, and we did end up having to put her to sleep as she injured herself falling from the bars of her cage. Before I knew proper hamster keeping of course, poor thing must have been so bored in her cage, I've never had a female Syrian since, theyre just so much higher energy.

That's amazing that their vet can take blood samples! A lot of vets struggle with larger small animals let alone a hamster, I cant imagine what needle they must have used.

 

[Maz]

I think there is just one vein in the ear they can use to get a blood sample. Yes it must have been a thin needle! That was to test for Cushings. A diagnosis that often gets thrown out incorrectly as guesswork. I can imagine you were traumatized - I was like that after our first Syrian went. He just didn't die (sounds awful but you know what I meant). I won't go into all the details or we'll upset ourselves!

You are doing a great job with the little dwarf girls and they are such a great age. I struggle to find a good exotic vet in my area. There are only two or three within a hundred miles. One I would never go to again. The exotic vet was ok - partly - but other staff weren't so good. The other one doesn't really deal with hamsters and is a long way away. The third one I've stuck with - she is very good in some ways - but has some strong opinions in other areas. I did get a second opinion about the ongoing antibiotics though and had it confirmed - but it was just frustrating as I was sure the infection would come back again as it can get trapped in a bony socket area and hard to get rid of completely. But I may have been wrong - maybe it was just the next stage of the tumour. You just want to try don't you?

 

[Eriathwen]

That's exactly it, I always want to try. I know if my life, health and wellbeing were entirely in someone else's hands I'd want them to try. So I try to do my very best by them.

 

[Eriathwen]

I was out early this morning as 2 of my most special needs piggies had a vet appointment to have some dental work done, I just got home and got them back in their cage and look over to see Orsa waiting patiently for her medication

 

[Maz]

Aw she is so sweet. I think she must be very bonded with you to accept that nasty baytril! Maybe a bit of runny honey in with it would make it like a treat for her do you think?

 

[RainbowBrite]

Oh that is just so precious! She is adorable.

 

[Eriathwen]

I was thinking about starting to dip the syringe into some baby food or something for her. Initially I thought natural yoghurt as they love that, but then I remembered reading dairy makes medications harder to absorb or something as it lines the stomach. How true that is I don't know though!
Runny honey would certainly go down well

Can you believe that hole wasn't there when I bought that piece of cork? She's chewed her own little window over the years

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aww, I love that she made her own window! It sounds to me like she likes the taste of Baytril. Maybe it is like humans who love liquorice while others hate it. Hehe.

 

[Maz]

That’s a big hole she chewed! Our Robo used to like scratching the inside of his cork log. I’m a bit iffy about yoghurt and dairy with hamsters although a tiny bit probably wouldn’t do any harm but I think I’d be the same if it’s while antibiotics are being taken - just in case it affects them. Thinking about it runny honey probably isn’t great with a dwarf hamster - although at her age maybe it’s less crucial re the diabetes risk. In the other hand - there are alternatives!

 

[Eriathwen]

I wish they would use their logs to scratch, their nails could do with a trim but they refuse to let me, I'll be trying putting them on some mesh soon to see if I can at least get the worst. Even my vet couldn't do them last year without having them in for a while to give them a little gas!

Yes I usually save the yogurt as a very special treat, so having it twice a day with meds wouldn't be ideal but I'll find something, at least she doesn't seem to mind the baytril for now.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I can imagine how difficult that must be. I have a very shy robo and I dread having to cut his nails. I hope the mesh trick works.

 

[Eriathwen]

Both of them were out this morning ready and waiting for their 'treat' of medications

 

[RainbowBrite]

What a beautiful picture! You take such amazing photos.

 

[Eriathwen]

Aw thankyou, luckily they're really nosy and sit to have a good look at my phone half the time

 

[Maz]

What a beautiful picture! You take such amazing photos.

Yes do enter the Christmas photo competition!

 

[Eriathwen]

Yes do enter the Christmas photo competition!

I'll have a go! I'll need to find a safe decoration to try to pose them with! I'm one of 'those' people that loves glitter, so everything is going to get them covered in the stuff if I'm not careful

I bought some glitter covered pine cones the other day and I'm still finding glitter in the car

 

[RainbowBrite]

Why does glitter get everywhere and never seems to go! I once had a nightie with some glittery stars and I still find random bits of glitter!