Supposed tumor 😢

[2manyhamssz]

So my little dwarf hybrid juni was gotten out for some cuddles after I spotted her enjoying a spray in her enclosure. While on my hand, I felt a lump on her chest if you like. I looked closer and I think it’s a tumor Wich is completely gutting. She’s still burrowing, taking sunflower seeds off me, merrily wondering around. I will probably take her to the vets but what type is it most likely and how long does she probably have? Gutting as she’s only around 9 months also if I take her to the vets what are they likely to do?

 

[2manyhamssz]

Forgot to attach pics - not particularly good quality sorry

 

[Maz]

Hi. It's a horrible feeling when you find a lump isn't it? However it doesn't necessarily mean it's a tumour - especially if she is only 9 months old. It could be a cyst or an abscess. So yes it's really important to see a vet. From examination they will be able to tell what type of lump it is and whether it's something that needs draining, or is possible to drain. I suspect they will probably prescribe antibiotics and metacam as well. In case it's infection (eg abscess as it's important an infected lump doesn't get into the blood stream. Metacam as an anti inflammatory as it can help shrink things.

It is also possible it's just a benign tumour, and not necessarily a cancerous one. Good luck at the vets, and let us know how you get on x

 

[2manyhamssz]

she's got a vets appointment for tomorow. having done more research im 99% sure its a abscess. I want to take the pain away as soon as possible but until then the best I can do is just give her so much love and hope she recovers well : )

 

[Maz]

That's good if you've got an appointment tomorrow Let us know how it goes.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Yes, good luck with your sweet little Juni

 

[2manyhamssz]

Thank you I took her to the vets and they didn’t seem to know what they were doing too much - for example when I said she was a hybrid, they said “oh what a Russian cross Syrian?” Anyway so she asked some questions and that then prescribed an antibiotic after telling me that she doesn’t have a good needle for a hamster so small. So hoping that works - she did think it is an abscess and it may pop - she also said I should have her on newspaper in case it does ( as in a thin layer ) and I should clean it off with a damp cloth if it does. She also said I should give her medicine with fruit juice / squash? juni was wonderful for the vet and didn’t even flinch they said I have handled/ tamed her very well and she’s the lovliest hamster they’ve had in so I’m a very proud mum

 

[Maz]

Hopefully the antibiotics will sort it. Some vets aren’t that up on current hamster care . I wouldn’t use newspaper or fruit juice - I’d suggest leaving everything as it is in her cage. If the antibiotics sort it, it won’t burst I think - and even if it did she would chuck out any soiled bedding! They like to keep their nesting area just so. Even if she didn’t - you’d find any soiled bedding.

The antibiotic does taste nasty. What some people do is draw up a drop of runny honey, after drawing up the antibiotic - if she’ll take it from the syringe. If she won’t take it from the syringe then you could drop it onto a pea sized amount of food - however it needs to be something string tasting or they won’t eat it - usually something like meaty dog food - although you could try corned beef as dog food pieces can be quite large. I used to use the beef country hunter dog food. Which is a bit like corned beef! I suppose it would do no harm to use fruit juice but it is a bit acidic for them.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I hope little Juni will respond well to the meds What antibiotic did she get?

 

[2manyhamssz]

she got enrobactin for the antibiotic and meloxaid for the pain killer. The first syringe she appeared to think was a sunflower seed so she absolutely demolished that and then looked very betrayed.. The second one I felt bad so I put a dab of runny honey all over the end of the syringe and she was so busy licking it she barely noticed the pain meds! thrilled as I thought it was going to be a bit of a military operation lol!

 

[Maz]

Ah - well the pain meds actually taste nice anyway! A bit like honey - so no need to disguise that one. The daily timing of the pain meds is also less crucial so I usually give that on a pea sized amount of food - eg baby food.

It’s great she’s taking meds from the syringe though with a bit of honey.

Best to always give the antibiotic first in case she decides she’s not interested in more meds after that. That’s when it’s useful to put the pain meds on a food extra as they just eat it when they feel like it (and gone by next morning in my experience).

The Mekoxaid will be a brand of meloxicam and that is also an anti inflammatory as well as a painkiller so that should help.

 

[Socks' Mum]

It's great that the dosing is going well. Yes, they sometimes develop a taste for meloxicam. My guinea pigs start to try to pull the syringe away from me when the dose of meloxicam comes to an end