Cancer maybe? - Page 2

Thin Lizzy · 05-13-2015, 10:54 PM

How's Chester?

Mandi4Hams · 05-31-2015, 11:16 AM

He's ok, much the same really.. Thanks for asking!

Because it had been almost two months since the lumps came up and he was still moving around fine I decided to take him to a different vet, for a second opinion.

He picked him up by the scruff of his neck, spoke really loudly in his face and squeezed his side's way too hard causing him to scream out! I was so upset seeing him handled like that I didn't take in a lot of what he said but the gist was the same... Nothing can be done except perhaps surgery which is really stressful and risky at his age.

To be honest I don't think I'm going to be taking him to a vet again after that. It was a week ago and he's only just started coming out of his house again (thankyou porridge)

Piebald · 05-31-2015, 05:11 PM

Poor fella what a nasty vet >

Where are the tumours located? I agree with the others that surgery is probably too painful and recovery too difficult at his age but just wondering because some of those tumours have tentacle like growths inside and can get in the brain affecting behaviour. Just to know if he starts acting weird. He may not. Hope his time is peaceful. Xx

**kyrilliondaemon** · 06-01-2015, 11:10 AM

I'm sorry the second vet visit went so badly

I'm glad he's still doing well in himself though and hope you have plenty of time left with him

**DrKMcK** · 06-01-2015, 11:21 AM

Hello Mani4Hams. That vet would have had me very angry too! As for your hammy, he could go on for quite a bit with the tumors. My Coco had them too and lived for months with it. He seemed happy and kept on doing his hammy routine. I was very careful handling him though. I made sure to slide my hand under his body and support his very awkward, bulky body. At one point he got so big that I had to change his house...poor guy was getting stuck and I would have to wake up and help him out. Coco still came out to see me anytime he heard me in the room. This guy was a heart ham. Just keep on spoiling him and keeping him as comfortable as possible. If he seems irritated, don't pick him up by hand. See if he'll walk into a container. This way he is in charge of his movement. Spill him out onto your bed or a couch, or into a playpen and see if this helps. As long as Chester is eating and drinking on his own, and is able to do his hammy thing, let him be. If you think his quality of life is really being effected, you may have to consider a vet helping him along. Personally, if I can, I prefer my furries to move onto the Bridge from their own home. I hope Chester is able to do this when his time comes. {hugs} for you. I know how hard it is to watch this process.

Below are some photos taken in the last month of Coco's life.

Mandi4Hams · 06-02-2015, 01:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrKMcK

Hello Mani4Hams. That vet would have had me very angry too! As for your hammy, he could go on for quite a bit with the tumors. My Coco had them too and lived for months with it. He seemed happy and kept on doing his hammy routine. I was very careful handling him though. I made sure to slide my hand under his body and support his very awkward, bulky body. At one point he got so big that I had to change his house...poor guy was getting stuck and I would have to wake up and help him out. Coco still came out to see me anytime he heard me in the room. This guy was a heart ham. Just keep on spoiling him and keeping him as comfortable as possible. If he seems irritated, don't pick him up by hand. See if he'll walk into a container. This way he is in charge of his movement. Spill him out onto your bed or a couch, or into a playpen and see if this helps. As long as Chester is eating and drinking on his own, and is able to do his hammy thing, let him be. If you think his quality of life is really being effected, you may have to consider a vet helping him along. Personally, if I can, I prefer my furries to move onto the Bridge from their own home. I hope Chester is able to do this when his time comes. {hugs} for you. I know how hard it is to watch this process.

Below are some photos taken in the last month of Coco's life.

those pictures look so similar to chesters... The lumps are both towards the back of him, roughly where the scent glands are and one side it's slightly bigger... I did have to get him a new house already but he doesn't even use that now. Over the last couple of days he's moved all his nesting material out and made his own den.
I don't mind is just I remember the hamster I had as little girl did the same thing just before he died.

He's been out running around on my bed and climbing all over me today already so I don't think he's quite there yet.

BrainGirl · 06-02-2015, 09:01 AM

He looks exactly like my Salt did when I got him. Here's his thread and some first pictures of him are on page 2: Going to pick up another hamster...

Mandi4Hams · 08-09-2015, 02:27 PM

Thought I'd do an update... Chester is by some miracle still alive. It's been about 4 months since the vet said he only had a couple of weeks left.

Unfortunately we are reaching the end now, he hasn't eaten or drank anything in days and obviously hasn't peed either.

Wandering if anyone knows the best way to make him comfortable for the end...

Can't get him out of his little house as.he squeals if I go to pick him up :/ poor baby

**DrKMcK** · 08-09-2015, 04:34 PM

Hello Mandi4Hams. Wow, Chester made it this long. To be honest, since he's that easily upset over being messed with, I think a trip to the vet would be an awful thing for him. It may not sound very nice, but I would just see that he has access to water and food and let him decide if he wants it or if he just is focused on his journey to the Bridge. You can put a piece of cucumber or apple near him so he can get liquid more easily. Most animals will hide away to die and it isn't necessarily a bad thing to let it happen in it's own time if the vet visit would be worse. If Chester hasn't eaten or taken in water he hasn't that long to go. It's hard to wait and watch so {hugs} for you at this sad time. Let him know it's okay to go. Poor boy.

BrainGirl · 08-09-2015, 04:46 PM

I'm so sorry you're going through this, it is a difficult thing to experience. You're doing the best you can for him and I would trust his judgment at this point. If you feel he wants to eat then a bit of baby food or baby porridge (the instant stuff is easy to whip up) goes down easy but no need to force it. Agree with everything DrKMcK has said.

(hugs)