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Old 08-04-2008, 09:52 AM   #1
Kay_zee
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Default Biscuit's Off to the Vets

I guess this may have started a month ago now, but hindsight is a wonderful thing! We found a tiny bit of blood on her bedding on two separate days and was worried where it came from. Our original checks of her showed nothing but after a check of her cage we realised the wooden house had a rough bit on it and she'd probably caught herself. Sure enough on a close inspection a couple of days later we found a tiny scab on her so we stopped worrying.

Then today Biscuit was awake at about 10am and seemed to want to come out so I let her out onto my arm and sat with her for a few minutes, but when I placed her back in her cage I saw a flash of red underneath. I took her back out and looked underneath and sure enough she had clearly been bleeding. Emotions got the best of me for a bit, before I decided to do the smart thing and check her nest again to try to work out just how much she had bleed. Thankfully it's not too much, however it is more than the last time I noticed and probably wrongly associated it with her house (I feel so guilty for that ). She's booked in to see the vet first thing tomorrow, but I'm really puzzled as to what is wrong. She seems herself, no signs of pain or wanting to be left alone.

One of my previous Syrians Honey had the same symptom only she was withdrawn and clearly looked in pain (we had her put to sleep). As I put in a previous topic, the only sign of age she's showing (she's 22 months) is the mobility in her hind legs is starting to decline, apart from that she's like she was when she was six months, wanting and trying to do everything, despite the fact that the days when she could do it have been and gone. I don't think she's ready to give in to whatever her troubles are!

I'm very nervous about tomorrow, I've never been to the vets with one of my hamsters before (my mum had Honey put to sleep in the morning while I was at school to avoid me going through it - she said it was hard enough for her, let alone me as I'm highly sensitive {even typing this has got me going }). Has anyone had a hammie with a similar symptom yet no others? What are vets like when it comes to hamsters? Will they just want to put her to sleep because of her age? I really hope it won't be a one way trip.
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Old 08-04-2008, 11:04 AM   #2
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

Don't worry about the vets Kayzee as they wont want to put a hamster who is still bright and acting normally to sleep for sure. Can you check her all over to see where the blood is coming from. Check all her vents and for scratches or lumps. Also look at her teeth for broken bits or bitten tongue, edges of mouth for cuts when bar chewing. Broken or pulled nails and toes can bleed too. If you see a discharge from any of they vents it could be an infection in the bowel/bladder/uterus which will need attention. Possible an infected cut would also need antibiotics. Vets are often not very up on hamsters but if you can offer as many clues as possible it will help with a diagnosis. Is she drinking more? Has her tummy swollen? Have you fed any red foods like beetroot or strawberry that can stain the wee? Sometimes a pink biscuit getting wet can look like blood. Are there any hard lumps, broken teeth etc. Offer some ideas like urine infection etc.
I hope she gets on well tommorrow and there is a simple explanation for you concerns. Good luck Biscuit.
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Old 08-04-2008, 11:26 AM   #3
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

I've always been really lucky at the vet with hamsters. Definitely having suggestions is a good idea as it will help to eliminate problems if nothing else. I did have a hamster that use to pass blood when she had a wee. I was quite young at the time but I do remember that we were given medication for her and that she did get better and that she lived to a good age.

I know your worried about Biscuit and I hope that the visit goes well and that Biscuit is okay and that a course of meds will sort her out. Keeping my fingers crossed Kayzee for you both.
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Old 08-04-2008, 12:33 PM   #4
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

On reflection I would say she has been drinking a bit more than usual, as I normally only catch her drinking once or twice, whereas recently it's been several times.

She has had a little bit of strawberry, but the 'blood' doesn't seem to be passing with her urine despite it being underneath - it's hard to determine exactly where it is coming from as the whole bottom area was quite bloody, but my best judgement would be that it is coming from inside rather than a cut.

Apart from this, she does have a little graze on her chin which I noticed yesterday and a bold spot on her lower middle back, but I couldn't find anything unusual on the skin to suggest why apart from her old age (although its more of a complete bare patch than the thinning of fur associated with age). When I gave her a little bit of grated carrot today she was making some deep little squeaks afterwards, yet she is normally a rather quiet hamster (it's the first time in about a year I've heard her).

I've decided to write everything down on a piece of paper and also take some of the bedding with me from her nest, so that I don't work myself up worrying about what I've got to say and make clear.

I hope it will just be some form of medication needed as at this point I can both financially afford it and have the next few weeks free to ensure she's cared for appropriately. Thanks for the help and suggestions, it's made me feel a little more relaxed about tomorrow morning and I'll let you know what the outcome is.
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Old 08-05-2008, 02:50 AM   #5
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

Well Biscuit was very good with the vets, so I didn't need to worry at all! Let her do everything she needed to do with no fuss and barely any wriggling!

Unfortunately I was right to be concerned as it looks like it will either be an infection or cancer. We have some meds at the moment, which she took very well and they said it could clear it up but it could also just return if it is an infection. As the first symptom was wrongly associated over a month ago now I feel confident that it is an infection rather than cancer as I feel she would have deteriorated by now or at least shown some other signs.

At the same time I have to accept that it could be terminal, but I trust Biscuit to show me and myself to know when the battle is no longer one worth fighting for.
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Old 08-05-2008, 03:36 AM   #6
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

Kayzee I'm glad that Biscuit behaved for you and that she has taken the meds nicely today. . I hope that it is an infection and that it can be cleared up with the meds. I don't know what symptons are displayed if it is cancer but i would be the same and think that if it is was, other signs would be showing . Fingers crossed for a good recovery but I'm sure that if it doesn't happen as we all hope, she will tell you when she's ready to go. Glad that she came home with you today.
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Old 08-05-2008, 03:40 AM   #7
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

Biscuit did you proud then Kayzee. I hope the meds will sort things out for her. Which part do they think is the problem? Is it the womb or bladder? With cancer many are slow growing and affect the hamster very little allowing them to live a normal lifestyle to a ripe old age so hopefully Biscuit will not be troubled by her problem. Get well soon little miss and you treasure her and spoil her for now Kayzee. Hugs to you
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Old 08-05-2008, 03:42 AM   #8
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

Thats good news kay-zee, hopefully it is just an infection but if it is cancer she can still live happily for quite while yet, like my Chip did. the most important thing is that shes still happy and active
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Old 08-05-2008, 04:08 PM   #9
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

The vet thought that the womb would be the problem as the blood wasn't passing with her urine.
Well there is quite a bit to report, but I wish the news could be better!!

Everything seemed good until we went to give her the meds around 9pm. When we saw her she was squeaking a lot, again deep and rather quiet, but still worrying. She also had a bit of blood underneath. I measured the meds and gave them to my mum while I held her, that way it could be done as fast as possible. She took it rather well, so I began to stroke her and then about 30 seconds later she went frantic, thankfully I managed to keep hold of her and decreased the height over a drawer so when I finally lost control she did not fall far at all, but it was scary and completely out of character. She continued to be frightened so I put her back in the cage and a couple of hours later she forgave us and came out.

Her behaviour while out proved to me that her cage was no longer suitable, she was taking chances and trying to do things that she shouldn't be doing. As a result I've dug out our emergency cage and put her in that while her Jack 72 comes. It is small, and extremely small compared to the Leon cage she was in, however I think it'll do for a few days. It has a part level going around three sides of the cage, so still isn't perfect, but I've put a huge load of carefresh in there, so the drop is tiny. It (only just) doesn't fit her huge wheel due to the height, not that she's been showing much interest in it recently. The green plastic part level is really showing up that she's bleeding though as sitting up on it, it's transferred onto it. Poor girl.

So tonight she's in a small but cozy home in my room. I decided to move her into my room so that firstly should there be any problems I'll be able to hear about it, secondly a bit of piece of mind that all I need to do is switch on the light to see her (I'm watching her sleeping as I type).
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Old 08-06-2008, 11:20 AM   #10
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Default Re: Biscuit's Off to the Vets

Aww Kayzee I am sorry to hear that. She is obviously not feeling herself at all. If it is an infection (pyometra) the baytril is unlikely to cure it though it may give some remission. A tumour could be removed if this is causing it with a spay. Few vets will spay a hamster and especially an older one who may not do quite so well under anaesthetic. I wish I could give better news. We have been through this ourselves with many females and it is heartbreaking. Cuddles to Biscuit and you treasure her for now.
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