So the vet has asked for a follow up...

[Clairealex]

Aw that's rubbish kimlck poor robbi. It's such a hard decision to make. Trying to decide what's best for them without them being able to express how they're feeling. It would be good if there were companies of vets that did home visits at a reasonable rate for exotics. I'd pay extra for that.

I'm taking him tomorrow, mainly because if the vet noticed that infection and I didn't, I want to make sure the cream has worked as those can be hard to shift. But I want to really stop the visits unless absolutely necessary now. The receptionists at my vet almost make you feel as though you're putting yourself first when you say things like that. I just don't think they get that a hamster isn't like a cat or a dog. They don't quite get that if I could id have him checked all the time just to make sure he's doing ok, but that's not how hamsters work, we can't drag them out their house all the time without causing stress, so we try to do it as little as possible.

[racinghamster]

I`m a bit 50/50 with vets and whether I feel going is warranted in the first place. If it is, then I know it`s either an emergency, or something I know can`t wait. But I usually think hard about going if I feel by attending that the hamster or other small animal may well end up on the floor or being man-handled for the sake of a routine check over.

Most chronic diseases/conditions tend to be just that. They deteriorate over time whether treatment is given or not. While acute symptoms like suspected mites, pulling a nail, or a fall can usually be dealt with at home with topical treatments and rest. While a broken leg, scent gland tumour or a dramatic eye problem would all require a vet check. Scent gland tumours (if an actual growth is visible or felt) are best surgically removed while small or they can affect internal organs. This happened to a male gerbil I owned and he had to have his water works re-aligned due to the invasive tumour my vet removed. He lived for a year afterwards. So all lumps and bumps are best seen to early where possible. x

[racinghamster]

We posted at the same time Claire! x

[Clairealex]

I just noticed that RH!

I agree with you there. There's always a part of me that wants to ensure that if there is more going on, then it could be that there's something can be done. But of we go tomorrow and the vet is sure it is just an infection, then I'll just deal with it at home from that point on with the understanding that I'll come back if I feels there's a deterioration.