Lump on tiny Dwarf

[Rivera]

I've noticed that my Dwarf has quite a big a lump on her side, in front of her right back leg.
She's a rescue hamster so we have no idea how old she is. From calculating time periods of how long she was at the rescue centre and how long she's been with us she's at least 9 months old, but could be as old as 2 years.

She's very nervous; doesn't like being picked up and has always lived alone.

She's still drinking and eating - including mealworms from my hand earlier! Her poo is normal / solid and she seems completely her normal self.

So what i'm asking is - should I take her to the vets?

Money isn't an issue. I just dont want to stress her out. And I'm already expecting them to say there's nothing they can do; because she's isn't showing any signs of being ill and an operation to remove it would be too much for her as she could be quite old

Can anyone advise me please? (But I wont be able to see a vet before Tuesday now anyway)

Thank you in advance x

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'd take her anyway.

The vet will be able to give you a better idea than anything else can really. Like when we took our Skip we had a guess what it was but seeing the vet confirmed it and told us what to do. They often give something good - either meds or the news its harmless.

Do you know how quickly the lump grew? That could be useful for the vet to know and may help with diagnosis to an extent.

[kiania]

I've just paid for surgery (2 weeks ago) for a growth on my hybrid dwarf. The growth was fast-growing, and about the size of a marble. It cost me (to give you an idea) £30 for the consultation, and £80 for the surgery and two post op consultations.

But my hybrid is very sociable, and the vets very good.

But, having said that, if I were you, I'd take your hamster to the vet (with tasty treats for bribery). Preferably a small mammal specialising vet.

They may well decide they cannot do anything - mine chose to operate as they thought they had a good chance, combined with the worry that Nimh would go from being a hamster with a lump, to a lump with a hamster, as the growth was so quickly growing. But at least if you've spoken to them, you know what is what - whether they can operate, or whether it is a case of leaving it be, or any other course of action.

I wish you, and your hamster luck.

[Pompompoms]

Taking a nervous little one to the vet is never ideal, Rolo shrieks and wets himself if he's ever scruffed, so a vet visit for him would be very traumatic. With hams like this it is best to only take if absolutely necessary. Your little one really does need to see a vet though as a lump of that size really does need investigation.

She will likely hide away for a while when you bring her home, but she'll relax again soon enough.

Good luck.

[Rivera]

Sorry I forgot to come back on here and thank you all for the advice and post an update.

The vet said it is a tumour And when we had a good look at her we noticed that her right eye was swollen and sore so the vet thinks that there is another tumour behind her eye, so advised to just leave her (ie not operate)

Anyway the last few weeks she has really gone downhill. Her right eye looks like its glazed over and we don't think she can see out of it. Her fur is scruffy. She doesn't use her wheel or flying saucer anymore. She sleeps all day or huddles hunched up in the corner. She is eating, but yesterday she fell over by her food bowl and it took her a while to get back up. Sadly I think we might have to think about helping her make the journey to the bridge soon

[racinghamster]

It sounds as though the tumour is starting to affect mobility and her ability to function Rivera. Tumours feed on blood and can spread to other internal organs, which is why in humans, cancerous tumours are `staged` and treated according to their stage. In small hamsters and mice, this can`t be done and removal (and hope) is their only chance. In your girls case, it sounds now as though the tumour has advanced and she is feeling the effects of that. I would consider euthanasia once she looks as if she`s basically given up or stopped eating or isn`t able to walk without falling to the side. Sometimes they just go to bed and stay there and go in their own time, which is a normal thing to happen, but if you don`t want that, then you have the choice to let your vet intervene.

It`s sad that they are prone to these things and sad that we are limited in the ways we can help them in terms of palliative care. x

[souffle]

I'm sorry to hear this. It does sound as if you know in your heart that she is no longer enjoying life and it may be kindest to help her take her next step to the bridge. I hope her path is gentle x

[Lynternette]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Its a terrible decision to have to make. One where your head has to rule your heart. If she has to pass to the bridge I hope its an easy path for her.

[Rivera]

I've made an appointment with the vets for tomorrow. I'm a bit disappointed that it's not with my usual lady vet who is lovely and loves hamsters. It will be with a male vet who I've never met before. I hope he's gentle with her.

I feel really down and upset this evening She's been wobbling around with her eyes closed and is now sitting in her corner huddled up. I've also noticed that she's lost a lot of fur on the back of her neck. So I know I've made the right decision

Thank you everyone for your kind words and thoughts x

[mangoandmimi]

Ohh i'm so sorry. As heartbreaking as it is, at least the little one won't be in pain anymore. my thoughts will be with you tomorrow xx