Any Advice?

[DamienAO]

Hi! So i have a 2 year old long haired syrian named Kiku. The last month Kikus teeth started to curve in and so every 2 weeks shes had to go to the vet to have her teeth trimmed. They way they are growing require her to be put under in order to trim them. She has had this procedure done 3 times. 2/3 times she hasnt come out of it normally. This last time she almsot didnt wake up. The vet told me its a real possibility that we will lose her while she is under. She seems so normal and happy. She still plays and will cuddle me at least untill we get closer to when her teeth need to be trimed again then she becomes less energetic. I feel so bad putting her thru this and knowing that because of this ill lose here alot sooner than i expected. Any advice for what i can do.....

[cypher]

Sorry to hear your ham is having this problem.
Has the vet given any reason why it's necessary for her to have an anaesthetic every time she has her teeth trimmed? It is a risk to have to do this & usually just a whiff of gas is enough, I had a ham who developed teeth problems when he got older & needed a trim every two to three weeks but he just had them clipped rather than burred & didn't need any anaesthetic or gas, it was over in seconds & he was fine.
Clipping as opposed to burring does have it's own risks as there is always the possibility of the roots getting damaged but it's a small risk & probably a better alternative to having to go through anaesthesia frequently.
Is Kiku managing to eat her normal diet ok?

[Pebbles82]

Our last vet said the rules had changed and they weren't allowed to clip any more but had to give a whiff of gas and use a burr. However that was just one opinion and possibly within one practice. And it may be that is ok for an occasional or rare tooth trim but that there are other alternatives for an ongoing issue.

Damien. Do you like your vet and have faith in them? There is an option maybe to see an exotic vet and get another opinion. Exotic vets specialise more in unusual pets and hamster (if you check each vet's specialism on their web page, see if there is one specialises in small furries).

It is true that hamsters don't tolerate anaesthetic well so the more often your hammy has it, the more the effect may be less well tolerated possibly. On the other hand, overgrown teeth can cause pain and lead to being unable to eat at all which isn't good either.

One other thing is - two years is a great age for a Syrian hamster - she is a very old lady! The equivalent of about 80 in human years. So it is understandable that she will tolerate the anaesthetic less.

It may be that you will need to find a middle ground here. Does it need to be done every 2 weeks or could it go longer? Considering her age, I think it would be stressful having them clipped without an anaesthetic unless held by you possibly and it being done at home. Vet trips do tend to be stressful for hammies - how does she take them?

To be honest I would say if she doesn't come out of an anaesthetic after a tooth clip then it is nature taking it's course and not such a bad way to go. If she really needs them and is suffering without having it done. But that would be very hard on you, wondering each time.

But maybe see if it can be done a bit less often. Or if there is an alternative (eg extraction). Some hamsters manage ok without teeth on a soft diet. Extraction would also need an anaesthetic but only once more possibly.

[cypher]

I've never heard anything about rules regarding clipping, I would imagine but don't know for sure obviously that it may well be something within your vet's practise rather than a general thing Serendipity.
If it's a form of malocclusion rather than just an elderly ham with slightly overgrown teeth it will need to be done every two weeks, maybe three weeks in winter as the teeth grow more slowly then.
Extraction is an option worth discussing with the vet but does in itself carry risks as it's a difficult procedure & roots can splinter causing even more problems.

[Pebbles82]

Maybe your vet was trying to get you used to the idea that she may not live much longer. I know from having had an older hamster though, that when they still have a lot of life in them and enjoy doing normal hamster things, that you sometimes know it is not their time yet.

I just read your other post and saw that you already saw an exotic vet and live in the US so the guidelines on tooth clips may be different there. I am sorry you're having this difficult situation.

[Fluffagrams]

Unfortunately even small amounts of anaesthesia will have their risks, particularly on an older hamster but most vets I have come across will not burr a hamster's teeth without it. There is the option of clipping your hamster's teeth and that may not require any sedation but that too is not without its risks and it will depend on how happy your hamster is to be scruffed and held whilst this is done.

[DamienAO]

The way her teeth grow back right against the roof of her mouth and thicken there is no way to clip them without her being under. The vet clinc i took her to is the only one on the area that will even treat exotics. The vet is really nice. Im spending alot of time with her but since her last appointment shes been diffrent sleeping more not really eatting and drinking alot more water than usual. Me and my roommate have a feeling she probably wont make it to her next vet appointment. Shes lost so much weight and i think she may have lost more since then. At the bets she weighed 94g

[cypher]

That is a very low weight for a syrian & it does sound as though things are getting too much for her & I think you may be right & she won't have much more time now, keep her quiet & comfortable & cherish the time you do have together.
It is very sad but she is a good age & has had a good long life with you so try to take comfort in that.

[DamienAO]

Her first visit she weight 100g though she had lost weight before then probably from her not being able to eat correctly. 2nd time she hadnt gained or lost any weight. The last time she was 94g so over 2 weeks she lost 6g with no real change in her diet. A week before her appointments i make a soft food for her taking her food grinding it up and then mixing it in baby food. The hard part is when im around she puts on a show. Shell wake up hoard food ask for a treat play a lil but if she thinks im not watching her she goes back to sleep. As today as progressed she doesnt wake as easily or if shes awake shes sitting in this pineapple thing that we bought her for her hideing place that shes never used. Shell just sit there not sleeping but just sitting. Me and my roommate decided though that if shes around when her next appointment comes we will have her put down instead of having her have to continue going through this.

[cypher]

It's a difficult decision as she still seems relatively happy responding to you but as this whole process is unavoidable it may be the kindest thing to do, only you know her & can decide really but I'm sure you'll do what's best for her.