Another lump on Bailey - Page 2

herbi7 · 06-12-2018, 02:33 AM

Thanks serendipity I am suspecting tooth abscesses, perhaps even the first one was. Thanks Charlie D it looks a bit less bright pink now but it's not really gone down. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster with him, he was running apparently happily on his wheel last night and quite a long time although he is weak now and can only push the small silent spinner which isn't really quite big enough for him. I was delighted though and thought he'd make it through but only a minute or so later he was desperately picking at his mouth with his paws in a really rough way, he picked and picked and looked as if he was in agony, he fell over on his back and just kept on picking, it was horrible to see and I was worried he'd do even more damage to himself. I was in two minds whether to call the out of hours vet but he stopped eventually and went to sleep. But on his wheel I could tell he'd lost strength, and I'm not having him continue in that sort of pain. Vet this afternoon and I'll see what they say. The nice one is on hol which is a pain, I do hope there'll be someone careful and kind with him.

herbi7 · 06-12-2018, 08:12 AM

Any mathematicians on here??! I have been given metacam for Bailey but it's for a cat's weight. The dose is 0.5mg/ml/kg. Bailey weighs 50g and I make it 0.025mg/0.05ml/50g. The vet was another sweet guy, who said while he's still eating so well it's not time for him to go

herbi7 · 06-12-2018, 08:15 AM

Aargh you can't get a syringe into the cat metacam! I'll have to work out what the dose looks like with water and just drip the equivalent amount into some apple juice or something! Starting to do my head in!

cypher · 06-12-2018, 08:30 AM

Those calculations do my head in too herbi! I think it's literally about half a drop, I can't remember exactly how much I had for Tinwë when he needed it but it was a really tiny amount, probably no more than a couple of drops that I mixed with baby food & gave to him over three days.
Not sure if that helps or not!
I'm glad to hear the vet thinks Bailey still has a chance of getting over this, hope the metacam makes him comfortable again.

herbi7 · 06-12-2018, 09:02 AM

Thanks cypher! I think that sounds about right after fiddling about in the kitchen for a bit with syringes and apple juice! Bailey is so good at taking his meds, I'm grateful for that. I can't believe how he is going and going, he's a strong little chap . I've given him a drop in 4 drops of apple juice and a bit of porridge and he ate it all straight away. I was wondering if once or twice a day would be best. It says once a day on the box so perhaps I should stick with that but he has his antibiotics twice day so it would easy to mix it in as well.

dreamtree1234 · 06-12-2018, 01:53 PM

I'm glad that Bailey's vet thinks that he will recover from this and that Bailey never fusses concerning taking his meds; that makes things so much easier for the two of you. I would just follow the instructions of taking it once per day unless your vet instructs you otherwise. Best of luck to you both.

Pebbles82 · 06-12-2018, 02:06 PM

I was given cat metacam once and the maths are complicated - the vet said it doesn't go by body weight it goes by metabolism and the hamster dose is actually higher per kg than the cat dose. Anyway it worked out at 1 to 2 drops but I can't remember how often - and yes it is a nightmare trying to do it by syringe! Easier to drop one or two drops straight into a teaspoon of babyfood - as you have done! Did the vet have any idea what it is? If he's scratching that doesn't sound like a tumour more like something itchy and painful like an abscess.

cypher · 06-15-2018, 11:08 PM

How's Bailey doing now herbi?

herbi7 · 06-17-2018, 03:45 AM

Thanks dreamtree and serendipity! Ah serendipity that's interesting about the dose. This vet knew very little about hamsters, he was just trained and new in the job and had only seen one before in a whole year of practise! Although he was kind and sweet.

Cypher, so sorry to be off the forum for a few days. I had to look after my friends dog while she was on holiday which stretched me a bit, she came here but I didn't keep her here as she terrorised everyone including my cat and the Syrian I am fostering although Bailey seemed laid back. He is doing really well! He's been back on his wheel, although he's a bit uncoordinated and tips himself out of it! He has been a lot more comfortable, his lump has gone down and he is very much more like himself although he's still worrying at his face a bit and not all the fur has grown back. He's now eating nearly all his teaspoon of porridge in one go and scurrying round his cage like normal. He even asked me to go out yesterday into the playpen but because he is bumbly and uncoordinated I decided no, not till he's better in case he misjudges something and has a tumble or a crash into something! I'm delighted with how he's recovered. In the end I stuck with one drop of painkiller but as it didn't seem to knock him out much gave it twice a day. It seems to have helped without making him dopey or anything. Very pleased with my little chap! My only slight worry is whether there is an underlying tooth problem which will recur once the antibiotics have stopped.

dreamtree1234 · 06-17-2018, 06:17 AM

I'm glad that Bailey's lump has gone down some and some of his fur has grown back as well. It is also a wonderful sign that he is acting more like himself, eating his porridge in one sitting, and going on his wheel. I do hope that he will gain his coordination back and health problems don't return after you completed his antibiotics treatment. Best of luck to you and your darling Bailey. Hugs.