? Pouch abscess

[Magpie]

Should her wheel be taken away as well? Or will that be ok. Vet never said anything about it.

Also now stressing about her food-
They never advised anything about changing food etc- do I just feed as normal?! Im suddenly worried about her pouching food and doing more damage over the next few days.

I’ll phone to check with vet tomorrow but they never actually advised any adaptations when I asked about after care.

 

[Maz]

It could be good to check with the vet. I would think a hamster wouldn't try and pouch food in that side as it will be painful. If they have had surgery, they usually give you a post surgery sheet (although there isn't always much on it in terms of cage set up). I think her wheel will be ok as it's not a leg or abdominal surgery. She will probably avoid anything that hurts. But yes I'd ask the vet about food in case she needs a soft diet - but they may not know. Hamsters do sometimes just pouch food at one side anyway.

 

[Maz]

It was a strange one because it had prolapsed through a small hole rather than her mouth. From what vet said it was quite unusual. Either way I’m glad she made it through the anaesthesia and hope that she heals quickly and without any further complications.

Hmm - strange. Unless she had some kind of abscess that popped and made the hole. Either that or is there anything sharp she could have pouched? But I can't imagine anything sharp making a hole in a pouch. An abscess might if it popped maybe.

 

[Magpie]

There’s nothing sharp in her cage at all. I’ve double checked everything today too. I guess we will never know how or why it’s happened. I’m not even 100% sure i can accurately describe or Picture it correctly- just repeating what the vet said. A ruptured abscess could create a hole I suppose yes- but there was no smell or sign of any pus/discharge that you’d expect with abscess? I’m just glad I saw her this morning as I don’t usually see her then and I’d have missed it entirely until tonight at the earliest. We were away so it could have happened any time since last physically seen on Thursday night. I really hope it had only just happened though for her sake.

I’m not sure my vet sees that many hamsters… But I don’t live anywhere with much choice and I’m thankful they treat hamsters and saw her so quickly. (Rural Scottish island) but I will double check what they say tomorrow. I did ask while I was there but was all a bit vague and I don’t have a hospital tank so can only adapt the bucatstate wherever I can for the next few days. I didn’t get any info sheet about post op care but doubt it would be hamster specific like you say anyway. Her bedding is nice and clean as i took the chance to clean while she was out and had to have burrows disturbed anyway.

She did have a bite to eat when she got home which is a good sign.

I’ll leave her wheel in for her but have taken away her sand and dig box. I’ve put the Normal amount of food out for her but just all in a bowl rather than sprinkled about to try and keep her from doing too much. She has a couple of new sprays (sorghum and millet) unless they are best taken out for a few days too? (Overthinking!)

I’m staying up tonight to check on her and make sure she’s moving about ok and eating/drinking. I can hear her rummaging about underground just now.

What a worry!

 

[Maz]

I think she will instinctively be careful with that pouch. The main thing I remember from the post-op sheet was about keeping the room warm for the first few days as hamsters can feel very cold after an anaesthetic - not regulating their body temperature. Otherwise maybe just carry on as normal apart from removing the sand and dig boxes. Sprays should be ok as long as they don't have spiky bits! I think wheat (or is it flax) can have some spiky bits.

 

[Magpie]

Well she’s been up and about, eating and drinking. Can’t see the surgical site by eye now- looks to have dried up since this afternoon and at a glance all seems well.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Well done Maggie

 

[Hammy Chum]

Hope shes doing ok, bless her!!

 

[Mweekie]

Hope Miss Maggie is feeling brighter today after her emergency operation yesterday xx

 

[Lovelyness]

Gosh, what an ordeal for you both. Glad it has been dealt with swiftly and successfully. It sounds like you are on top of things and that she is recovering well. It sounds like she has a good nurse taking care of her

 

[Magpie]

Gosh, what an ordeal for you both. Glad it has been dealt with swiftly and successfully. It sounds like you are on top of things and that she is recovering well. It sounds like she has a good nurse taking care of her

Thank you- you’re too kind. I’m definitely no expert but hoping common sense and a bit of luck will win the day. She certainly seemed ok last night.

Not sure I will manage to stay up
Late enough to see her tonight. I’m absolutely exhausted after the stress of yesterday plus juggling work, and I’ve just been hit with another hellish cold!

 

[Lovelyness]

Oh dear, it sounds like you and Maggie need to recuperate together

 

[Socks' Mum]

Hmm - strange. Unless she had some kind of abscess that popped and made the hole. Either that or is there anything sharp she could have pouched? But I can't imagine anything sharp making a hole in a pouch. An abscess might if it popped maybe.

I wonder if it could be an issue with a tooth spur or similar

 

[Magpie]

Oh gosh. I hope it’s not something like that which might be a recurring issue.

She does her fair share of chewing on apple sticks and a whymzee and the vet never mentioned anything about her teeth being a problem (I am assuming he looked at them during the surgery) from where the hole was it looks to be too far back to have been caused by her teeth surely? I’m definitely not qualified to say that though.

My nose got the better of me and I’ve stayed up to check on her again. She seems fine. Hasn’t been too busy yet but she’s had her fresh veg and has taken a couple of seeds from me to munch on.

Difficult to see much but the surgical site looks clean and dry. You can just see the end one of the stitches. Thankfully they are dissolvable ones so hopefully no return trip to the vet required.

 

[Maz]

She’s doing great and looks adorable . Hope the cold goes away soon ….

 

[Socks' Mum]

If the vet has done a tooth check they should be OK. Pouches can be quite elastic. It's unlikely to happen again

 

[Rescued One]

It was a strange one because it had prolapsed through a small hole rather than her mouth. From what vet said it was quite unusual. Either way I’m glad she made it through the anaesthesia and hope that she heals quickly and without any further complications.

She probably scratched at the spot where the pouch prolapsed between her muscles and helped the hole along. Glad she was seen and treated promptly! She is on the prayer list

 

[Maz]

I was just thinking maybe to leave out the apple sticks in case she chewed one of those into a sharp bit maybe? Mine have never had them and do fine with Whimzees. I do sometimes get the vitastix chew sticks - not regularly, as they have honey but not sugary otherwise. Food stuck to a bit of wood.

 

[Magpie]

They don’t seem sharp but I’ve taken them out just in case.

She loves her whimzee crocodile so if he’s enough to keep the gnashers trimmed then that’s good enough for me!

 

[Magpie]

You’ve got to be kidding me. looks like another uti! Found a new toilet spot in her MCH and pee is definitely pink.

UNLESS it’s beetroot from staring in Hammykins? There is beetroot in it. Is that wishful thinking?