My Chinese dwarf hamster has a red lump?

[julie020]

Thank you to all of you that have replied to my post. You have all been very nice, Serendipity, love the egg cup thing, I'm going to get some egg cups.

Coco61, ice cube trays is a good idea! I'm going to get a variety of baby foods, and give them to both Pip and Squeak. I'm on a mission this weekend....food! I've taken notes on the different foods you've all mentioned, I'm going to try them all!

Cypher, you're right, I can't check Pip's teeth, but I'm going to try and make him look up at me by tempting him with a treat. Last night he came out for a drink and I watched him. He's got a weird dark discoloration on his cheeks. There's definitely something going on with his mouth.

Thanks Littlelotti24, for the encouragement. very nice.

Well I've decided to give him a bit more time (and me), try some different foods, change his cage to make things easier to get around (I already moved some things).

Serendipity, great advise and very helpful tips on the food front, and you Coco61.

Thanks so much guys, I'll let you know how the little man gets on!

[cypher]

I know how hard this is for you, it can be heartbreaking to see them age & ailing like this.
The discolouration on his cheeks doesn't sound good, do you think his face may be wet? Sometimes this happens with teeth problems, if you can't get to see his teeth clearly I really wouldn't delay going to the vet, once they become overgrown not only can they not eat properly but the lower teeth grow up into the upper palate & sinuses which is extremely painful for them.
I can understand your fears that going to the vet might mean saying good bye to your lovely boy but that might not be the case, the vet may be able to help him & if not then at least you would know he would not be suffering, I think we all want our hams to end their lives peacefully & naturally just going quietly into their forever sleep at home but sadly it can't always be that way, nature can be cruel & I always think better a day too soon however hard it is to let go than to have them suffer.
I really hope you do take him to the vet & that there is hope for him yet.

[julie020]

Originally Posted by cypher

I know how hard this is for you, it can be heartbreaking to see them age & ailing like this.
The discolouration on his cheeks doesn't sound good, do you think his face may be wet? Sometimes this happens with teeth problems, if you can't get to see his teeth clearly I really wouldn't delay going to the vet, once they become overgrown not only can they not eat properly but the lower teeth grow up into the upper palate & sinuses which is extremely painful for them.
I can understand your fears that going to the vet might mean saying good bye to your lovely boy but that might not be the case, the vet may be able to help him & if not then at least you would know he would not be suffering, I think we all want our hams to end their lives peacefully & naturally just going quietly into their forever sleep at home but sadly it can't always be that way, nature can be cruel & I always think better a day too soon however hard it is to let go than to have them suffer.
I really hope you do take him to the vet & that there is hope for him yet.

Ok..change of plan. I'm convinced. I need to stop being selfish. I've rung the vets..he's going this afternoon...4.30 I've told them he's not tame, they said they would deal with that at the time.

I'll let you know how we do?!

Thanks for the encouragement, this is the right thing to do!

[cypher]

Good luck, wishing him all the best & keeping fingers crossed for both of you.

[BorisPasha]

Hope everything goes ok at the vets Julie, will be keeping fingers crossed.

[Pebbles82]

Lots and lots of good vibes going yours and Pip's way. I would suggest when you get there, that you discuss with them about Pip having a whiff of gas and tell them he is very nervy and not tame.

[julie020]

Thank you nervous

(I will Serendipity)

[julie020]

He's home!!!

Vet thinks he has an abscess in his mouth or toothache. The red lump has gone but there's yellow stuff where it was. The discoloration is because I'm looking at brown skin, he's bald on both cheeks and all under his neck, probably scratching because of his teeth.

I have antibiotics and medacam for pain relief. She said there's not much more we can do as he is so old and did notice how tiny he is. She said see how he goes, but if he worsens, take him back.......for you know what her words were " today is not the day"..yay

So it's back to plan A...soft food...with meds. God knows how I'm going to give him them?? I'll work it out...

Serendipity, they could not give him gas, I just held him and turned him over, and bless him he just froze. Then she held him (quite tightly eek) and he squirmed but let her look at him. She said he was a really nice little fellow. He is.

He's really freaked out at the moment, haven't seen him since we got home...hope he survived all that pulling around...

Thanks everyone, I'll pop back and let you know how he fairs, it was just nice to talk to people who understand my love and concern for these furry little critters.....most people are like...oh...a hamster...right

Thank you

[cypher]

Poor little guy, it must have been quite an ordeal (for both of you!) but good to know he has the meds he needs now & has a chance of getting better.
I'm sure he'll get over the vet trip soon enough & enjoy some nice soft foods now.

[Pebbles82]

So glad it went ok and glad you have some antibiotics and Metacam. Hopefully now he can live out his days with you in comfort I'm sure he'll love the baby food and hopefully like the soaked science selective as well.

He could be freaked out for a few days now - I know our hammy was I just left him alone for a few days and eventually he got less nervy. Tasty treats always helped him forget about being nervous lol.

Ours was the same in old age - eating his veg (the best bit of the day) but not so much other food.