Lump in hamsters throat and struggling to breathe

Lauraagx3 · 04-03-2016, 10:08 AM

I came home today to find my dwarf winter white hamster squeaking with his mouth open like he was struggling to breathe. I emptied his cheek pouches thinking it was maybe something to do with compaction but i noticed a lump in his throat. I tried rubbing it to force it from his throat but as i do he gags and struggles to breathe. He keeps going floppy but the lump isn't moving at all. Im not sure if its food he has stuck of if he has some sort of lump or tumor. All the vets round my area are now closed because its a Sunday and i don't have a clue what to do, im so scared he's going to die because he's clearly suffering. Someone please help!!

Rsclio197 · 04-03-2016, 10:15 AM

I have no suggestions but emergency Vets!

If you can't afford It, ask about the possibility of paying installments. I hope he's going to be OK bless him

Lauraagx3 · 04-03-2016, 10:21 AM

I have the money I just can't find no vets that are open. There's one but its miles away and I don't drive so have no way of getting there

Rsclio197 · 04-03-2016, 10:26 AM

Don't they have an emergency line? My local vets have an emergency vet on call out of hours. Check the websites. I'd say you must act to be absolutely safe. It could be a simple solution to fix but could equally be as harmful to your ham. Any friends that would take you to a vets that is open or a taxi?

WinnieTheHam · 04-03-2016, 11:02 AM

Does the lump look like a tumor? it could be a seed or some other form of food stuck in his throat. The vet may be able to come out to you at a cost, but it's worth a call to the emergency vet, they may give advice for time being. Is there no neighbours that could give you a lift? I think most vets have an emergency out of hours phone number.

Lauraagx3 · 04-06-2016, 01:48 PM

Took him to the vets and they said his throat is very swollen and he seems weak. They gave him a steroid injection and an antibiotic. They said it could either be an infection or a tumor and that if it is a tumor he will gradually get worse and there will be nothing they can do for him

Rsclio197 · 04-06-2016, 01:53 PM

I'm so sorry to hear this. Such sad news. Hopefully it is an infection and it eases but you may have a tough call to make for your little man. You done all you could now it's upto mother nature to decide his fate.

I hope your OK laura

Pebbles82 · 04-06-2016, 02:35 PM

Well done for getting him to the vets. I hope the medication helps. Our first hamster had a tumour in his neck. The vet operated but he was quite an old little guy and didn't survive the operation

I hope it is something that goes with treatment.

oddlyoblivious · 04-06-2016, 04:54 PM

Lauraagx3 My heart goes out to you. The good news is if it's an infection the antibiotics will do wonders.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and keep my fingers crossed.

racinghamster · 04-07-2016, 02:55 AM

How is he doing today Laura? Is his breathing any better? Keep an eye on the lump and if it`s not going down or still causing him problems and he doesn`t want to eat or drink, I would consider that in the red zone. If he`s seeming better and eating/drinking after seeing the vet, that`s good. How would you describe this lump, is it more on the outside of the throat or inside the throat?