My Chinese dwarf hamster has a red lump?

[julie020]

Hi

I haven't posted for a few years, since my Syrian Lennie sadly died some years back. Since then I've had two Robo's and I now have two Chinese dwarf hamsters. They are both nearly 2 1/2 years old and one (Squeak) is doing really well, he's large, healthy, lively and eats & excercises really well (in all his three wheels). They each have their own mansion ( Hamster heaven) to live in with separate bedrooms attached. They have ton's of toys, which I change regularly.

But the other one (Pip) is not doing so well and I would like some advice if anyone can help me? He's always been diabetic, ever since he was a few months old, but it's never been a problem, I control his diet and test him regularly. It's never bothered him or (seemingly) affected him. But over the last few months he's been getting smaller and thinner, with slightly thinning hair, but he still ate and drank well. (He's drinks a whole small bottle in days). I haven't really worried about this, as he is getting old, and was still lively.

I clean them regularly, but I noticed Pip was peeing on his food and not really taking much of his regular seed, going more for his veggies and cheese (that he loves). This week I noticed a red lump near his scent gland, I thought it was a cranberry stuck to him (he gets a fruit as a treat now and then) but it isn't. He has stopped going in his wheels, and I am now soaking his food in water and giving him as much soft food as I can.

Here's my problem! My hamsters are not 'tame'. They are very very timid and I do not handle them. They live a fairly natural, (albeit VERY spoiled ) life. They do come and see me, but do not like being handled. I can't take Pip to a vet as I'm worried the journey will freak him out and kill him as he is so timid. Also, the vet won't be able to hold him to look at him, if she does he'll probably have a heart attack. He's too old to be so frightened and I am so worried about taking him, but I'm also worried he's in a lot of pain.

Any advice will be very welcome.

Thank you

[Pebbles82]

Hello. They have reached a good age and it does sound like Pip is failing in some way, healthwise. The lump doesn't sound too good. It could be an abscess, it could be a tumour possibly. I would suggest you take him out of the cage and into a large-ish pet carrier, set up like a mini cage with some substrate and a little house and some food scattered about and a piece of cucumber instead of water and take him to the vets.

Although he is not tame, you could either scoop him out in a mug (it's a one off), or tempt him into a tube or ball with some food and transfer him to the pet carrier that way.

You could discuss it with the vet on the phone first and explain he is not tame or handleable and ask about having a whiff of gas for him before examination (this will knock him out for a minute or two and sounds like the way to go).

Having said all that - you maybe need to make a bit of a judgement as well at this point. Do you think the lump is causing any pain or suffering? If not you could just leave him a bit longer and see how he does. It does sound like vet treatment would be stressful for him at his age and in his condition. Or, you may need to be mentally prepared, before taking him to the vets, that it might be recommended to have him helped on his way xxx

Two and a half years is quite old for a Chinese Hamster really and they are bound to get something.

[julie020]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Hello. They have reached a good age and it does sound like Pip is failing in some way, healthwise. The lump doesn't sound too good. It could be an abscess, it could be a tumour possibly. I would suggest you take him out of the cage and into a large-ish pet carrier, set up like a mini cage with some substrate and a little house and some food scattered about and a piece of cucumber instead of water and take him to the vets.

Although he is not tame, you could either scoop him out in a mug (it's a one off), or tempt him into a tube or ball with some food and transfer him to the pet carrier that way.

You could discuss it with the vet on the phone first and explain he is not tame or handleable and ask about having a whiff of gas for him before examination (this will knock him out for a minute or two and sounds like the way to go).

Having said all that - you maybe need to make a bit of a judgement as well at this point. Do you think the lump is causing any pain or suffering? If not you could just leave him a bit longer and see how he does. It does sound like vet treatment would be stressful for him at his age and in his condition. Or, you may need to be mentally prepared, before taking him to the vets, that it might be recommended to have him helped on his way xxx

Two and a half years is quite old for a Chinese Hamster really and they are bound to get something.

Thanks for your reply Serendipity, wise points. I am thinking something is hurting him, I can't even pick him up to look at him myself, I saw the lump when he pulled himself up. I'm also wondering if his teeth are ok, as he really doesn't seem to be eating anything hard at, unless it's soaked in his pee, or water.

I really want him to die 'au naturale' like all my other hamsters, can't bear the thought of 'killing' him

His bedroom is a kidney dome attached to his main cage, which I can seal. Maybe I could take him in that, good idea about warning the vets to have some gas ready so she can look at him.

I might leave it a bit longer and see how he goes, hate it when it's the end!!

Poor little fella.

Thanks Serendipity for your reply, appreciated

[Pebbles82]

I know I wanted our hammy to go in his bed as well. The vet might be able to make him more comfortable - if it's an abscess it could be lanced but then he'd probably need antibiotics. She might also prescribe Metacam which would help with any pain. But I can see giving meds could be difficult if he's not tame - unless you can disguise them in food.

I went through some similar things with our Syrian towards the end. I am sure they do get toothache in old age and avoid chewing harder things, and then their teeth can get a bit long, but if he's chewing veggies ok it's maybe just the hard food that's an issue. I started putting soaked science selective and baby food out as well as the regular hamster mix and our hammy loved licking up the baby food. It doesn't contain any protein or calories really though. The science selective contains everything needed. I just poured a tiny bit of boiling water on it and let it cool and that softened it.

You could also give him scrambled egg or porridge on a teaspoon.

These are difficult decisions. I worried about stressing our hamster out trying to give him medicine but would have preferred that to having him helped on his way. In the end the vet wouldn't prescribe anything. He was still eating mostly, especially the baby food and soft foods, but he just began to suffer and was hanging on, so I had to help him on his way in the end.

Whatever you do will be right I think and you'll know what's best - I'm sure your hammy will let you know.

See how he goes with some supplements and soft foods, although if he seems in pain it could be an idea to take him to the vet as Metacam could be prescribed.

Does the lump look inflamed or feel hot? Red does sound like inflammation.

[julie020]

I truly believe if I manage to get him to the vets it will be 'goodbye pip'. I think he's too old for all this but I will do it if I see he's in pain or if he gets worse. I will not let him suffer. Because he's diabetic I'm not sure what meds will be safe, but the vet will know.

I just googled science selective, definitely getting some of that on Saturday, sounds perfect! I've tried him with eggs, he doesn't like egg, and I tried him with boiled pasta, again he didn't like it. Porridge sounds good, might try that! I could put some in a milk cap. I'm interested in the baby food too, what flavour do you get? I'm going to try and carry on with these new foods for a bit. see how it goes.

I can't quite tell if the lump is hot as he won't let me touch it. My first glance that it was a cranberry, so its definitely red. I'll try and get another look at it, trouble is he hardly comes out now, as he's so old, and obviously ill and I work all day so my time with him is so limited.

Thanks serendipity, a lot of good sound advice. I'm an experienced hamster mummy but I get different breeds all the time so there's always something new to experience and learn about them.

thanks alot

[Pebbles82]

Every situation is different too. It's a difficult time. Our Syrian lingered on for quite some time. Baby food. There's not a huge choice as you need the ones without onion, garlic, tomato or spices.

I had a few different ones I got - mainly cow and gate 4 months.

Tasty Pumpkin and Chicken
A lamb one (can't remember which)
And chicken sunday dinner (I think it was called).
Cauliflower cheese (he wasn't keen on that).

Hipp - sweet squash and chicken

Boots - fruity chicken

Also Ella's kitchen - peas peas, peas and carrot and parsnip.

The 4 month ones are milder and the older kids ones have different ingredients.

The Ella's kitchen ones went down a storm but are mainly water really without much body.

The chicken ones with pumpkin or squash were favourites too.

I used to put it in an egg cup and push the base of the egg cup down into the substrate so it was the right height and stable.

I used the baby food lids to put the science selective in Or porridge or whatever.

[Coco61]

Hi Julie, I am so sorry that Pip is poorly but Serendipity has given good advice about what she did to care for her lovely boy recently. I also have to give my Syrian daily meds and have been doing it for 6 months. I use a rota of baby foods so he does not get bored and also use porridge and wheat germ made up with water. I only need half a teaspoon as he is eating normally otherwise. I use the baby food squeezy pouches from the supermarket. You can only have one open for 48 hours so I use an ice cube tray to divide the rest up and freeze them. Then decant them into a freezer bag. I don't use fruit flavours as my chap doesn't really like fruit. I use Hip Organic or Ella's peas, peas peas. From Hip I use any of their veg combinations and he likes their veg risotto with turkey and veg with chicken.
The selective science biscuits you have looked up are great. They are popular here anyway as part of the regular food so one day, if I have to soften them, it won't be a problem.
Hope all this can help you with Pip.

[cypher]

So sorry to hear Pip is so unwell, you've had great advice on caring for him, I can understand your feelings about taking him to the vet & it may be stressful but the lump is worrying & he may be in pain with that also if he isn't eating he could just be having trouble with his teeth, I imagine it would be hard for you to check them but if they have become overgrown then that could be causing pain too.
As Serendipity suggested phoning the vet to have a talk about the fact that he isn't tame so they could be prepared for that & discussing any concerns you have would be a good idea but I wouldn't let that put you off taking him just in case he is suffering & the vet may be able to help.
If you could just remove his house & take him in that in a carrier it shouldn't be too stressful for him.

[Pebbles82]

I know what you mean about thinking if you take Pip to the vets it will be for the one thing - but sometimes things just overtake us. It could be that if you take Pip and decide beforehand that you will be going home with him, you may get something prescribed that will help him feel comfortable and able to go naturally at the time.

[Littlelotti24]

Im so sorry to hear about your Pip... sounds like he has lived a good life...I would def suggest taking him to the vet, even if they advise you to let him go... or give some meds to ease any suffering.... such a hard thing to go through.. I've been there with animals its never easy... good luck <3