Rue's Lymphoma

[Artisans_uk]

Some of you may have read that my gorgeous Rue (Bear) has been diagnosed with Lymphoma. She developed, overnight, some skin problems, dry, scaly patches without fur.

I took her to the vet just after the middle of July. I hadn't seen this vet previously but to my delight, she had not only kept hamsters, she'd had robos and other dwarf hammies, so she had great knowledge and first hand experience.

She was really great with Rue and almost straight away gave me the suspected diagnosis of lymphoma. She offered more diagnostic measures including skin scrapes but I didn't want to put my gorgeous Rue through the stress, knowing that if the diagnosis was confirmed, there wouldn't be anything that could be done.

In case it was a bacterial problem, the vet gave Rue a treatment and I reported back a week later to update the vet. I would have loved to have reported that there had been some improvement but there hadn't. In fact just a few days later, Rue's skin looked really bad and I seriously thought that she wouldn't make the end of the week.

She did make it through those early days and almost 9wks later, she is still being the star that she has always been. I'd obviously discussed with the vet that when Rue began to struggle, then we would do what would be necessary.

Rue's character hasn't changed though. Not surprisingly, she lacks the energy she used to enjoy but despite that, she comes looking for cuddles at least 2 or 3 times each day and goes into the playpen for a romp around for a little while, has a run on her wheel and still cleans out her tissue box to her liking.

There has been a development this week though. One morning I noticed that her dry mix was all over the place, which was extremely unusual. I also saw that although she had uncovered her favourite dried peas, they were uneaten.

I checked her teeth and there aren't any breaks but she's obviously having problems eating. So I have changed her food options;-

• Softened Science Selective biscuits
• over cooked broccoli/cauliflower
• scrambled egg
• a little baby porridge/baby rice in the mornings
• a little baby food at night
• Her dry mix softened in water overnight

I've given her lots of options, so she can have a little of what she fancies. Nothing else has changed, her skin is no worse and she's not grumpy or hiding away, so I want to give her access to a range of food, especially as she still has her appetite.

I particularly like the mashed Science Selective biscuits as they have all the hammie nutrients and the well cooked veg is being appreciated as she has always enjoyed her fresh food and it wasn't good seeing her struggle to eat it.

I'll be providing the photos for the photo thread next month and there will be plenty of Rue Bear, before she was diagnosed and since. She doesn't mind her patches. She's such a star.

[Pebbles82]

She is a little trooper. So sorry about the diagnosis. It's a tough one - she sounds like an adorable little character, coming for cuddles so often. You obviously bring her comfort.

[cypher]

Poor little one, such a shame but she really is one tough little ham & she's getting really wonderful care from you, it's not a condition I know a huge amount about in hams but I do hope she can carry on happily & comfortably enjoying her time with you.

Really looking forward to seeing your hams next month.

[racinghamster]

Hi Artisans, many thanks for sharing Rue`s condition and how she`s coping. Reading what you say, one of my Roborovski hamsters took a terrible dry skin condition, lost fur, very dry, cracked flaky skin, so I`m actually wondering if this is what he had. Rocky was taken to my vet but he just prescribed Baytril and he passed away the following week. His behaviour was eratic when I placed him back in his cage and he only wanted to lie in my hand, the poor love.

I`d never heard of, or at least, read about Lymphoma in hamsters, but it`s something perhaps we should note. I wish Rue all the best. x

[Artisans_uk]

Hi Cypher, S'dipity & RH. Thanks for your lovely comments and words of encouragement. I have just been watching Rue munching on her softened seed mix (I can't really call it her dry mix now )

She's always had the same bowl that she's enjoyed and looks cute when her head is tucked inside but I think I'll be changing it to a new one today. It's a range I only found a few months ago and think that they are great for small or elderly hams and those with medical conditions.

Beco wave bowls

Little Fey has had one from the start and I gave one to Bracken recently as she's getting frail with her age, so it would be easier for her and now is the time for Rue Bear have one. I'll miss seeing her foraging in the original bowl, I'm sure the BecoBowl will be easier for her.

RacingHamster - I hadn't come across Lymphoma in hamsters before Rue was diagnosed but there's quite a bit online about it, ranging from comments on forums to more scientific papers. Rue's is officially referred to Cutaneous Lymphoma as it's her skin that is affected. There are plenty of pictures too that my vet showed me, some of which are upsetting and graphic, so just a warning. Rocky's symptoms sound very similar to how Rue has presented.

S'dipity - she loves her cuddles, always has. I avoid the rough patches on her skin, in case they give her some discomfort but occasionally she'll move during cuddles and of course, there are times when my fingers run over the patches but she never fusses.

Yes, cypher, she's a trooper. Rue came from P@H, the only of my hamily that has come from a petshop and she was a bit of an impulse buy but she's been gorgeous and a poser from day one!

Here's an example, although a little blurred:-
Rue nibbling by artisans_jw, on Flickr

[racinghamster]

You have to love them eh?!! The little face! My Chubs is from PAH adoption too Artisan (Russian hybrid male) and much the same colour as Rue (see my current avatar image....that`s him destroying his big green store carrier box!) Chubs is fantastic and will be two years old on December 20th this year. He was estimated at being a year old when I adopted him last year. He`s only the second hybrid I`ve owned and he`s such a character! I had two robos before him. x

[Artisans_uk]

Originally Posted by racinghamster

You have to love them eh?!! The little face! My Chubs is from PAH adoption too Artisan (Russian hybrid male) and much the same colour as Rue (see my current avatar image....that`s him destroying his big green store carrier box!) Chubs is fantastic and will be two years old on December 20th this year. He was estimated at being a year old when I adopted him last year. He`s only the second hybrid I`ve owned and he`s such a character! I had two robos before him. x

Irresistible, all of them! Rue was also from the adoption section, RH. Rue was my second ham and so different to Bracken. It's so lovely seeing their different characters. Non hamster people are always surprised at how different they each are.
Chubs is a handsome chap. Rue was born in January 2014, so they are close in age too.

[racinghamster]

Chubs is a bit of a woos and loves to comes out for his food while I stroke his coat and tell him how mummy loves him. He scoffs up what he`s after, looks at me and then turns around with bum in the air and disappears! Lovely. !! x

[cypher]

Lovely photo, that is such a cute face
They are all so different, I couldn't agree more, you never quite know what you're going to get in a little furry package!
Those bowls look good, thanks for posting the link, I'll bookmark that one!

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi Artisan, what a gorgeous pic of Rue. She seems to be coping with her Lymphoma well and from the pic she looks like a little fighter.
The care and unconditional love you have given Rue shows in her.You're doing a brilliant job!
All your hams are wonderful!