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Old 12-31-2018, 09:04 AM   #11
cypher
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

Well done with the porridge! That should make things easier.
We can never know how long our hams will be with us no matter where they come from but I hope she will get over this soon & go on to live to a good age.
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Old 12-31-2018, 12:18 PM   #12
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

I thought our last Hamster Charlie would go on forever. He had a blip at aged 2 and it turned out to be teeth problems and difficulty eating and he improved after that. He was fine at 2 years 4 months. He lived to 2 years 8 months but as with old people, diseases end up starting as organs start to get older and fail. So old age does catch up with them. Charlie was nipping about right up to 2 weeks before he went. So it's maybe time to be prepared for accepting she is in her twilight years and make the most of all the time she is with you. It is rare for them to live to 3 years old. It would be about the equivalent of 120 in human years! Hamsters are considered as ageing from 18 months onwards.

Hopefully she will get past this as Cypher says. It's hard when it's their time but nice in a way if they pass peacefully in their home one night in their sleep. Not always possible - we had to help Charlie on his way. All is uncertain but the main thing is treating any conditions and keeping her comfortable so she can live her life and enjoy it.
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Old 01-02-2019, 01:44 PM   #13
MaryRobinson
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

Thank you everyone for your warm words and encouragement. We got a second opinion from an exotic vet and he’s pretty sure it’s cancer. Dora isn’t eating much at all now so I don’t think it will be long. 😔 We have to let nature take its course.
Little Dora: the girl who I thought would never be tamed who we rescued from a colleague’s children’s neglected pet... she became the friendliest, funniest little personality and a huge part of the family, zipping around the living room every night finding spots for her ‘big treasures’( dog buscuits&#128521 I hope she doesn’t suffer... she’s one very beloved fur baby.
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Old 01-02-2019, 11:09 PM   #14
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

I'm sorry that it sounds as though Dora won't have long with her, it is a difficult time but I hope she can remain comfortable & when her time comes it will be peaceful, she will guide you as to the best way to proceed now.
It is hard but she's had a lovely life with you full of love & fun, try to focus on that & just cherish the time you have left together.
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Old 01-03-2019, 12:40 AM   #15
MaryRobinson
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher View Post
I'm sorry that it sounds as though Dora won't have long with her, it is a difficult time but I hope she can remain comfortable & when her time comes it will be peaceful, she will guide you as to the best way to proceed now.
It is hard but she's had a lovely life with you full of love & fun, try to focus on that & just cherish the time you have left together.
Thank you, Cypher. I didn’t fully understand before meeting Dora how much love and joy such a little being could give. Thanks so much for your support xxx
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Old 01-03-2019, 03:30 PM   #16
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

Sorry to hear that - at least you know what's what now. Did the vet prescribe any metacam? (Pain relief) It can help keep them comfortable.
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Old 01-04-2019, 06:29 AM   #17
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

Thank you, Serendipity7000: no, but I will certainly ask again. I had questioned pain relief but they said it’s more tiring than painful. Still, how can they know? Dora has about six large scabs on her now and squeaks and burbles if you disturb her before about 10.30pm now; she used to only burble if you opened her vivarium door during the day (her night!). My husband worries we should put her to sleep but she’s still eating a bit - mushed up Apple baby biscuits and porridge, mostly, plus her favourite peas and cucumber - and I check twice a day that she’s done a little wee in her sand. So, she’s still up and about a little, just very old and sleepy. I worry that people put pets to sleep sometimes because watching them decline is so painful for us, rather than just the wheels falling off for them... sigh. Hamster-mummy duties are hard...
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Old 01-04-2019, 07:45 AM   #18
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

Asking about metacam is a good point, it's hard to imagine that something like this wouldn't be painful, at least at some stage if not when you last saw the vet.
I can understand your thinking about having pets put to sleep, it is hard to watch them decline but even harder I think to have to make that choice for them, I think even when we wish otherwise it's usually clear if they do need help & you'll know if you have to think about that, sadly nature can be cruel sometimes & the end isn't always easy for them but I really hope that when the time comes Dora will pass peacefully at home.
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Old 01-04-2019, 09:59 AM   #19
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

I think I would tell the vet she seems to be in pain and discomfort sometimes and you would like to try her with some Metacam. There are different views on it - but as an ex nurse I think pain relief should always be used - because they can't tell you if they're in pain. Some vets think it's a must and others think it doesn't do much and is just an anti-inflammatory - but it still is a kind of pain relief. I was very upset when it was refused for our last hamster because he "might" have Cushings and it's contraindicated in Cushings. So if it was me I would say I want to try her with some Metacam to see if it relieves her discomfort.

When Charlie was refused Metacam I bought some White Willow Bark from a herbalist and scattered bits of that (it's where Aspirin comes from and is a pain relieving herb). As he was dying anyway I didn't worry about whether he might have too much of it. I am not sure if he ate any or not. I think he did as pieces disappeared.

So see how it goes and you will know if you need to help her on her way. I think pain relief can help them keep comfortable and pass naturally in their home sometimes - but if you try it and she doesn't seem relaxed and comfortable then it may be kinder to help her on her way.

It is so hard - and when they are eating and doing normal things, then normally it isn't time to help them on their way - which is why pain relief needs to be tried now in my opinion so she can keep doing normal things but have some relief.

The vet may be right if it's skin cancer - it may not be painful - but it may still cause discomfort and I wouldn't want to risk them being in pain.
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Old 01-07-2019, 01:47 PM   #20
MaryRobinson
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Default Re: Weird lesions on Dora - vet unsure 😔

Sorry guys, I posted a reply but it didn’t for some reason show up.

Thankfully I did get some metacam from the vet on Saturday and am so relieved to know she has pain relief if it’s needed. I really appreciate you telling me about this. We managed to puncture a pea and inject in the medicine: it seems to work and she takes it every time.

Dora is still, against all odds, with us, but almost entirely asleep now. I am hoping that she will be able to go to sleep for good in her familiar home and cosy bed.
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