Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Hamster Healthcare

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-18-2018, 01:49 PM   #1
Hammy992
Adult Hamster
 
Hammy992's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: London, England
Posts: 294
Default Custard has a swollen belly :(

Hey all,

I haven't been online for a while but some of you may remember my hamster Custard had surgery a few months ago to remove a malignant tumor from his back.

He recovered really well from this and has had no issues up until about 3 weeks ago.
I was holding him and his tummy felt more prominent than usual - not swollen but like he had eaten a lot. I thought maybe he is just gaining some weight because he loves to eat but sleeps a lot more now that he's an old man. Over the next couple of weeks I noticed he looked like he was slowly getting fatter and tummy felt like it was ballooning. He looks like a lightbulb!
Although he has been doing all normal activities and eating/drinking/pooping fine I booked him in for an urgent vet appointment.

The vet palpated his tummy and he was fine to let her touch and poke him with no issues. She listened to his heart (where he promptly tried to chew the stethoscope and was scolded! ) and said it sounds fine.
Her main suspicions at this point seem to be either: some kind of internal cyst causing excess fluid or, beginnings of renal failure due to old age. She doesn't think it is at all related to his previous tumor.

Custard is booked for an xray on Thursday as the vet couldn't feel any prominent swellings or abnormalities, just lots of fluid. She also said she can possibly drain a sample of fluid to see what comes out.
A compounded diuretic has been ordered in from their emergency hospital but she said this will only provide significant relief if it is some kind of heart/organ failure and not a cyst.

Hopefully this xray will shed some more light on what's causing this, but I'm worried because he is almost 2 and a half now.
If anyone else has had their senior hammies diagnosed with a similar condition I would really appreciate hearing what you decided to do in terms of course of treatment.
Although old, fat and lazy Custard still enjoys hamstery things and has a sprightly curiosity for anything interesting or food related.
I don't want to give up if he still has fight left in him.
__________________


Over the Rainbow Bridge - Custard 2 years and 8 months. Rest peacefully little one; forever loved xx
Hammy992 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2018, 03:41 PM   #2
dreamtree1234
The Cuddler of Cuteness
 
dreamtree1234's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: United States
Posts: 3,278
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

I am SO sorry that Custard is having a swollen belly. I have no experience with any of my hamsters having swelling, but I will be praying with all of my heart that your vet will be able to help your darling heal from whatever may be causing this. Hugs to you and cuddles to your precious Custard.
__________________

"...she fell into a deep sleep, and dreamed the dreams of the dreamtree." ~Stephen Cosgrove
Mum to Duchess. Fur Angels Eros007, Arwen, Hinata & Snickers 4Ever.
dreamtree1234 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-18-2018, 11:38 PM   #3
souffle
Moderator
 
souffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire, UK but my heart lies in Scotland!
Posts: 28,184
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

Over the years I have had a few elderly hamsters develop the bloated tummy and as you vet suggests a couple of these have been due to kidney failure. Another has a tumour somewhere inside which did not seem to affect him much except that towards the end of his life he did have trouble passing poo and we had to massage his tummy which usually resulted in a long string passing through. At this age I think I would be inclined to watch him closely and as long as he still seems content and is enjoying life I would let him enjoy it without much more medical intervention in terms of operations but of course you know him best and what is best for him.
I hope he gets on well at the vets.
souffle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 02:50 AM   #4
manxlisa
Hamster Pup
 
manxlisa's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Isle Of Man
Posts: 124
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

Sorry to hear bout your hammy Custard. I've had 2 elderly Syrians in the past that developed swollen tummies. They were diagnosed with kidney failure.
manxlisa is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2018, 11:56 AM   #5
Hammy992
Adult Hamster
 
Hammy992's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: London, England
Posts: 294
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

Thank you for your kind words Dreamtree.
I really hope there is something that can be done to keep him happy and comfortable. I'd only been in the UK 3 months when I got Custard so he's been my little companion through everything these past couple of years.

Souffle, I do agree about not wanting to put him through another surgery. I was so stressed the last time and as he is getting on in years I would be reluctant for him to go through such a risky ordeal again.
I have the feeling it might be a kidney or liver problem as he does not appear to be in pain, just uncomfortable from being so bloated. He seems to be more tired so I'm hoping there is something that can be done to help release the fluid to give him some relief.

Manxlisa I have the feeling this might be the case with Custard as he is quite old now at 2 1/2 and he has been through a lot already with his surgery four months ago.
Its upsetting that our little furry friends have such short lifespans to begin with and also susceptible to so many health issues but if I have been able to give Custard a good life with me that's what's important.

I will let you all know the outcome of Custard's appointment on Thursday x
__________________


Over the Rainbow Bridge - Custard 2 years and 8 months. Rest peacefully little one; forever loved xx
Hammy992 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2018, 06:12 AM   #6
Hammy992
Adult Hamster
 
Hammy992's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: London, England
Posts: 294
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

Hello everyone,

Well Custard has now had his x-ray and unfortunately it isnt good news. The vet has diagnosed polycystic disease of the liver; and identified either 1 or 2 large cysts. The swelling of these cysts are pushing his organs further back in his body; she also identified some very tiny specks that are likely microcysts..

The two main ones are the cause of his bloated abdomen and the majority of his lightbulb shape is due to their size - in other words there is not much free fluid around his organs at all. However they have not affected his digestive system and there is no gas present.
Despite this she has still given Frusol syrup solution to give 0.2ml twice per day to see if it helps reduce the fluid that IS there, as well as any thinner fluid from within the cysts. If it is to help there should be a marked improvement within a few days, if not then stop after 5 days.

The only 2 options now really would be either:
surgery to remove the cysts or monitor him until he either passes away naturally/worsens to the point where he needs to be pts. Given his age I did not want to put him through another surgery but the vet has said he will not be able to survive long-term with these cysts and they will only continue to get bigger.

The timing for this couldn't be worse as the vet is going away for 2 weeks so surgery would not be possible until she returns. She advised if he worsens within this time that I can bring him in to be pts as her other staff will be on hand for such a procedure. However if he is still eating/drinking and toileting ok when she gets back and he still has a fighting spirit she would be willing to try surgery if that is what I want.

She has said this is a tricky and risky procedure but if he pulls through he should recover well. This would hopefully give him a good few months more of quality life, even with the presence of the microcysts.
I really don't know what to do if my 2 choices come down to him not making it during surgery or having to be pts. It does not sound like he will end up passing peacefully at home. With such a poor prognosis doing nothing is it fair to give him a fighting chance with surgery?
__________________


Over the Rainbow Bridge - Custard 2 years and 8 months. Rest peacefully little one; forever loved xx
Hammy992 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2018, 09:16 AM   #7
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

I'm really sorry you have to make such a difficult choice for Custard, I don't think anyone can give you a right or wrong answer in a situation like this, there are risks either way & I wouldn't think he will be able to live comfortably & pain free for long without treatment but as you know there is a risk with going for surgery.
I think you can only let him guide you, consider his quality of life & let your heart guide you.
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2018, 09:50 AM   #8
HamsterHugger777
Newborn Pup
 
HamsterHugger777's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Southampton
Posts: 47
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

I'm so sorry to hear about your situation x
It really sounds like you've been amazing throughout Custards life, so be confident that whatever decision you make is whats best for him, you'll know whats best for your hammy when the time comes to make a decision.
We're all thinking about you and Custard at such a challenging time for you both.
__________________
---------------------
Miller Calvin
---------------------
HamsterHugger777 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-21-2018, 01:19 PM   #9
Hammy992
Adult Hamster
 
Hammy992's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: London, England
Posts: 294
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

Thanks Cypher and Hamsterhugger x
That was the impression I got from what the vet said; that although the cysts themselves aren't painful they can end up causing secondary pain through increasing compression of their organs, which is why having surgery is so vital for their comfort. His swollen belly has definitely slowed him down but he still tries so hard to potter around his cage. He is sleeping more; it must be uncomfortable carrying that extra weight around.
I did have to laugh a bit at one of the xrays she took with just half his body in it as he kept moving around in the box; only a piece of sweetcorn got him to sit still.
I have gone ahead and booked him in for the day the vet gets back in 2 weeks time, just to ensure he can be seen to if I do decide to take him in for the surgery. Hopefully this diuretic will be able to provide him some relief and get him through this.
__________________


Over the Rainbow Bridge - Custard 2 years and 8 months. Rest peacefully little one; forever loved xx
Hammy992 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 07-09-2018, 05:23 AM   #10
Hammy992
Adult Hamster
 
Hammy992's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: London, England
Posts: 294
Default Re: Custard has a swollen belly :(

Custard has made it through his surgery With any luck we should be able to bring him home in a few hours.
Unfortunately the cyst was within the liver itself so the vet could not safely remove it but she has cut open and drained it completely. She said there are some tinier ones that are more solid but she cannot remove those because they are right near major vessels. Since she has left the cyst open it will drain into his abdomen and then he will hopefully pee the fluids out. So for this reason he will continue with the diuretic to assist with fluid removal as well as some antibiotics and pain relief for the surgery.

It will not stay open permanently but he will be so much more comfortable now. His weight before the op was 222g and now he only weighs 146g...that's how heavy the fluid was, and how much healthy weight this cyst has caused him to lose. I was quite shocked and sad to hear this as he always eats a lot but the progression of the cyst meant we did not know what was happening to his weight.

So while the news is bittersweet we are so happy that he has pulled through and we will give him have many treats and cuddles for as long as we have him with us. He is such a strong boy to have made it through some major health issues and we will continue to treasure every moment we have with him.
__________________


Over the Rainbow Bridge - Custard 2 years and 8 months. Rest peacefully little one; forever loved xx
Hammy992 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
custard, vet, fine, tummy, fluid, lot, xray, cyst, kind, causing, booked, related, failure, issues, swollen, tumor, ago, weeks, felt, prominent, emergency, ordered, compounded, fight, hospital

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:46 AM.