F
Frida
I hope all goes well for Clive at the vets. Give Clive a hug from Albert and me 
M
Member ID2
Thank you all.
Btw, i tried to buy dipsticks before without any luck. I tried various pharmacies and vets but couldn't get them over the counter.
Btw, i tried to buy dipsticks before without any luck. I tried various pharmacies and vets but couldn't get them over the counter.
M
Member ID2
It would need to be fresh and he won't leave a puddle first thing in the morning.
I'm not keen on antibiotics just in case he has a uti and will discuss that with the vet.
You can get a urine sample by putting a hamster in a plastic box. Most will pee when not happy. If they don't try again next day. I tested Percy for diabetes.
I'm not keen on antibiotics just in case he has a uti and will discuss that with the vet.
You can get a urine sample by putting a hamster in a plastic box. Most will pee when not happy. If they don't try again next day. I tested Percy for diabetes.
M
Member ID2
I need her to look at his skin as well where he is bald. I noticed only today that the skin is starting to look dry and a bit flaky which it hadn't done until now. It is not pruritic so could be demodex. I think it's all connected with whatever underlying condition he has.
Clive's never been right but he's been doing very well considering.
Clive's never been right but he's been doing very well considering.
M
Member ID2
Clive's vet appt went well. He didn't get too stressed but this vet in particular is brilliant with hamsters. Vet was still holding him in his flannel while she typed and he was muttering while looking at me but no squawking or wriggling.
Vet doesn't think it's a uti and doesn't want to barge in with antibiotics at this point but would issue a prescription over the phone should it get worse. I think she trusts my own judgement as well.
Vet thinks that it is Cushings because Clive has a number of symptoms now pointing towards this with increased thirst and urination being one of them. His hair loss is typical of the disease and is likely to get worse. His skin is a little dry and flaky in places and the pigmentation has increased as well.
She could not feel any tumors and his weight increase isn't a bad thing because they can lose weight as the disease progresses.
He didn't show any signs of pain as she examined him and she doesn't think that he needs Metacam now but may do in the future.
So it's very much a matter of continuing to monitor which i'm more than happy with.
Vet doesn't think it's a uti and doesn't want to barge in with antibiotics at this point but would issue a prescription over the phone should it get worse. I think she trusts my own judgement as well.
Vet thinks that it is Cushings because Clive has a number of symptoms now pointing towards this with increased thirst and urination being one of them. His hair loss is typical of the disease and is likely to get worse. His skin is a little dry and flaky in places and the pigmentation has increased as well.
She could not feel any tumors and his weight increase isn't a bad thing because they can lose weight as the disease progresses.
He didn't show any signs of pain as she examined him and she doesn't think that he needs Metacam now but may do in the future.
So it's very much a matter of continuing to monitor which i'm more than happy with.
R
RainbowBrite
I am so happy to hear the appointment went well. Wow, Clive must have felt comfortable to have stayed in the flannel with her. It sounds like you have a great vet who really listens to you.
E
elusive
So glad to hear the appointment went well & the vet was so good with Clive.
At least you know where you are now & have ruled out the UTI, it is hard when they have Cushing’s as theres so little you can do to help but Clive does sound as though he’s coping with it well so far & it’s good to know that he doesn’t appear to be in pain, I hope he can continue to do as well as he is now.
At least you know where you are now & have ruled out the UTI, it is hard when they have Cushing’s as theres so little you can do to help but Clive does sound as though he’s coping with it well so far & it’s good to know that he doesn’t appear to be in pain, I hope he can continue to do as well as he is now.
F
Frida
So pleased all went well for Clive at the vets. How is Clive now he's back home? Did you give him a treat for being a good boy?
M
Member ID2
Clive headed straight for his house and went back to bed. I'll give him a cashew tonight.
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Your vet sounds very good and glad Clive managed ok. The possible diagnosis of Cushings is not great. But it is often misdiagnosed and the only way to get a clear diagnosis is via a blood test - which most vets can't do as their veins are so tiny. Coco knows about this.
What it does mean though, is metacam is contraindicated - it can actually worsen Cushings. I had an unpleasant experience with this as felt my hamster should have pain relief. My current vet reassured me that there is other pain relief that can be given, if they can't have Metacam. So it sounds like you will have to assume it's Cushings and avoid the Metacam but ask about a different pain relief option if you feel it's needed.
What it does mean though, is metacam is contraindicated - it can actually worsen Cushings. I had an unpleasant experience with this as felt my hamster should have pain relief. My current vet reassured me that there is other pain relief that can be given, if they can't have Metacam. So it sounds like you will have to assume it's Cushings and avoid the Metacam but ask about a different pain relief option if you feel it's needed.
M
Member ID2
Thank you for that info Maz which is very much appreciated.
I'd be interested to hear of your unpleasant experience but totally understand if you'd prefer not share on here.
I'd be interested to hear of your unpleasant experience but totally understand if you'd prefer not share on here.
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It was when Charlie was older and needed a tooth trim. And I wanted metacam for him. The vet said she thought he had Cushings and wouldn't prescribe Metacam. He had the tooth trim and was fine. He lived for another few months and just slowly declined but I wasn't happy that he couldn't have pain relief because of an unconfirmed diagnosis. He had some symptoms but not others. And there are many things it could have been. I asked the vet about a blood test and she said that isn't possible. I had said that it was - she said some vets might be able to do it but they can't. I asked if there was other pain relief he could have and she said no. He did end up having to be put to sleep eventually. But I changed vets after that and was assured that there is other pain relief hamsters can have. I still don't think he had Cushings but probably had a tumour.
I do find it upsetting remembering. But just to help know where the experience came from. The important thing is knowing that there is alternative pain relief available, if Metacam is contraindicated.
I do find it upsetting remembering. But just to help know where the experience came from. The important thing is knowing that there is alternative pain relief available, if Metacam is contraindicated.
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I'll just add that I gave him burdock and white willow bark to chew in an attempt to ensure he had some pain relief. He didn't seem in pain but you never know. And towards the end I think he could have done with some - which is why he ended up having to be pts.
M
Member ID2
Cushings can be caused by a tumor so he may or may not have had one.
I must read up on Metacam which is sold online by companies like viovet. I thought that it was prescription only.
I must read up on Metacam which is sold online by companies like viovet. I thought that it was prescription only.
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It is prescription only. Although it's sold online it still needs a prescription. A tumour of the pituitary can lead to Cushings. The other type of Cushings is from the adrenal glands rather than the pituitary. One type is treatable, the other isn't. I don't think Charlie had it. His fur was amazing. He had the usual old age symptoms, drinking more - and a bit of a belly. He did have some pigmented skin - but there are other things that can cause these and with Cushings there is usually significant fur loss and scabbing sores. Although fur loss doesn't necessarily mean Cushings either. There's a very good article about it but I can't link it as it's an old http website. If you google "Hammy's World - cushings" - it takes you to the website site map and you can find the link to the Cushings info on there. The owner died recently and there was a notice up saying they would maintain the website as it's what he would have wanted.
Charlie had no signs of having a tumour either, it was only latterly I suspected that.
Charlie had no signs of having a tumour either, it was only latterly I suspected that.
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M
Member ID2
Clive is on his second freeroam and pouched his cashew. He got up a little later than usually around 20.00. I guess he had to catch up on lost sleep.
F
Frida
Great to hear Clive is on his second free roam.
Clive - look I've got loads of energy. No need to worry Beryl
Clive - look I've got loads of energy. No need to worry Beryl
M
Member ID2
Greedy guts Clive!
