Swelling on side of hamster

[Biscuit2024!]

Hello ,
I have just taken biscuit out for a cuddle and noticed she has some swelling on her side, or a lump. I am now very worried as she hasn't been very active recently, she has been eating fine but not coming out to play with her chew toys as usual, and she hasn't been on her wheel for a while. I have only just noticed the swelling. I will try and get her an appointment at the vets asap. Any idea what it could be? :-(

Worried hamster mum !

 

[Maz]

Hi. So sorry to hear this. Does it show on a photo and do you have a photo? Is it in the area of her scent gland or somewhere else, and how big does the lump feel? Definitely needs a vet check though x

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Hi Maz, hope you are well and thanks for your message . I will try and get a photo this evening . It’s strange as I didn’t notice the other night . It is in the area of her scent gland and felt quite fatty .

 

[Socks' Mum]

I hope the vet appointment goes OK tomorrow. Thinking of you

 

[Biscuit2024!]

She had very full pouches at the time with her veg and food, I am now hoping that this somehow made one side of het tummy swell

 

[Socks' Mum]

The pouches do go a long way down, but it is still worth seeing the vet. Hopefully it won't be anything dangerous, but definitely worth checking. I hope it all goes OK

 

[Biscuit2024!]

The pouches do go a long way down, but it is still worth seeing the vet. Hopefully it won't be anything dangerous, but definitely worth checking. I hope it all goes OK

Thank you x

 

[Maz]

If it moves around and is pea sized then it could well be a scent gland lump. Maybe try to check again when she doesn't have full pouches though

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Hello,
I have just returned from the vet; luckily, the vet used to keep hamsters, so she was very caring. Biscuit was so good and friendly. She said she could also feel some swelling around the abdomen but its possibly due to food/bloating, and to monitor it to see if it goes down, i have maybe been giving her too much veg. If it isn't that she will need a scan which would be extremely expensive. I guess i now have to keep an eye on it to see if it goes down. The vet said she looks very healthy and gave her a good check, she also said she is a good weight.

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Hello,
I have just returned from the vet; luckily, the vet used to keep hamsters, so she was very caring. Biscuit was so good and friendly. She said she could also feel some swelling around the abdomen but its possibly due to food/bloating, and to monitor it to see if it goes down, i have maybe been giving her too much veg. If it isn't that she will need a scan which would be extremely expensive. I guess i now have to keep an eye on it to see if it goes down. The vet said she looks very healthy and gave her a good check, she also said she is a good weight.

 

[Biscuit2024!]

I am really hoping it goes down, she is such a sweet hamster...

 

[Socks' Mum]

You are lucky to have a nice vet. Well done brave little Biscuit hammy ❤ Scans are expensive. I hope Biscuit gets better soon. Good to hear she is in good condition

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Thanks Socks mum, hope you are well.
The vet quoted £276 but said she would speak to the manager about a reduction if we do need to scan her. Biscuit is now 16 months and not as active as she once once. She seems to love her burrows (she has made one under her wheel) do you think that is just her personality/age? she never uses her dig box or sand bath and rarely uses her wheel, i think she just prefers to be underground ...

 

[Socks' Mum]

Your vet is very kind. Yes, they do seem to slow down at about a year and a half. Socks went brown and then grey at about just over a year old. He is probably about two years and his skin is a bit baggy. He doesn't climb the bars anymore. He likes a run on his wheel, but not for very long and then he takes a rest. The conservative option is probably the best, to see if the swelling goes down by itself. Recovering from a major op at this stage could be quite difficult as Biscuit is not very old, but not a youngster either. It's a lovely time of life when they start to mellow. Luckily the hamster doesn't think of the future, just what is happening today. She gets great care and lots of love. I hope the swelling goes away. Your vet sounds very good.

 

[Biscuit2024!]

Your vet is very kind. Yes, they do seem to slow down at about a year and a half. Socks went brown and then grey at about just over a year old. He is probably about two years and his skin is a bit baggy. He doesn't climb the bars anymore. He likes a run on his wheel, but not for very long and then he takes a rest. The conservative option is probably the best, to see if the swelling goes down by itself. Recovering from a major op at this stage could be quite difficult as Biscuit is not very old, but not a youngster either. It's a lovely time of life when they start to mellow. Luckily the hamster doesn't think of the future, just what is happening today. She gets great care and lots of love. I hope the swelling goes away. Your vet sounds very good.

Ah thank you. Socks sounds very sweet. It's good he still likes his wheel. Biscuit is also going a little grey; the vet did say she looks very healthy and alert. I am really hoping the swelling goes down, and its something to do with digestion. Also, I hope I haven't traumatised her by taking her to the vet, but I really don't want her to suffer with any pain. She seemed confused when we put her back in her enclosure. She was sniffing around a lot and took a seed from me before going into her nest...
Thanks for your help ...

 

[Socks' Mum]

They don't like going to the vet, but it can't be helped. Socks went once and was also nicely behaved ❤

 

[Maz]

That sounds positive - a slightly swollen abdomen sounds less of an issue than a small lump to be honest. If it’s any consolation Raffy had a distended abdomen after about a year old and was perfectly fit and healthy and nothing wrong with him - his posture just changed altogether. He also seemed to have a slightly humped back which just became more noticeable as he got older . He was fit and racing around right up until about 2 years 4 months.

We humans sometimes get bloated are tummies as well

As she’s a female Syrian though - keep an eye on things - if there is any sign of blood it could be her female parts. If not and she’s enjoying hamstering as usual then she is probably fine. Older hamsters can seem to have a bit of a belly sometimes.

 

[Maz]

Please excuse my typo above! I've corrected it now (bloated - not bloo poo!). Does anyone know how to turn the spell checker off on an iphone - it's so annoying! You type one thing and it turns it into something else! Computers I know about - phones I don't!

 

[Socks' Mum]

It did raise a chuckle Yes, spell "checkers" come up with some strange "corrections"!

 

[Biscuit2024!]

They don't like going to the vet, but it can't be helped. Socks went once and was also nicely behaved ❤

I am lucky as ours is a 3-minute walk....

That sounds positive - a slightly swollen abdomen sounds less of an issue than a small lump to be honest. If it’s any consolation Raffy had a distended abdomen after about a year old and was perfectly fit and healthy and nothing wrong with him - his posture just changed altogether. He also seemed to have a slightly humped back which just became more noticeable as he got older . He was fit and racing around right up until about 2 years 4 months.

We humans sometimes get bloated are tummies as well

As she’s a female Syrian though - keep an eye on things - if there is any sign of blood it could be her female parts. If not and she’s enjoying hamstering as usual then she is probably fine. Older hamsters can seem to have a bit of a belly sometimes.

Thanks, Maz, that is reassuring. Raffy sounds super cute. Biscuit hasn't been out much, so I haven't had an opportunity to check her tummy. I gave her a tiny bit of toast this am, and she came to her nest entrance with her eyes closed as she was so sleepy, I think she is probably scared she will get air lifted to see the vet again! I will keep an eye on any blood etc. Thanks for your help x