:( Why does things keep going wrong?

peridotgreen · 01-02-2019, 04:35 AM

Recently, i have noticed that my hamster isn't like her usual self, i saw blood spots again and kept noticing that she was in the corner of her cage kinda hunched up with her eyes closed.

Took her to the vets this morning, yellow discharge.. another batch of antibiotics.

This will be her 3rd lot (i think) of sulfatrim & i'm waiting a call back from the usual vet (didnt see him today he was booked up untill 11th jan)

I don't understand why things keep going wrong, am i doing something wrong?
I clean her out once a week, make sure she doesnt have too much soiled bedding, wash my hands before handling etc

Once they have an infection, is it contagious? like if they get some puss on bedding or something?

souffle · 01-02-2019, 04:52 AM

She was spayed wasn't she? Sometimes an infection is deep seated inside and it just doesn't heal up I'm afraid. They are very delicate little creatures and their little bodies have little resource to fight off infections especially if they are already under the weather.
You have tried your hardest for her. It is nothing you have done or have not done and it is just nature that some will heal and some will not. The antibiotics will be affecting her ability to absorb food and get the goodness out it to heal herself but she needs them. It may be that the infection is not responsive to septrin? Baytril may work better? There are few antibiotics that can be used with hamsters and some that will kill them so the vet needs to be careful. It's a vicious circle. I'm sorry she is going through this and you the worry. I would give her whatever she will take just now. The infection may be in the vaginal area below the removed womb or the discharge may be from the healing tissue inside her. It's not easy to deal with and you can only do your best and go with your heart. She may tell you if she has had enough so listen for her whisper.
Hugs to you.

peridotgreen · 01-02-2019, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

She was spayed wasn't she? Sometimes an infection is deep seated inside and it just doesn't heal up I'm afraid. They are very delicate little creatures and their little bodies have little resource to fight off infections especially if they are already under the weather.
You have tried your hardest for her. It is nothing you have done or have not done and it is just nature that some will heal and some will not. The antibiotics will be affecting her ability to absorb food and get the goodness out it to heal herself but she needs them. It may be that the infection is not responsive to septrin? Baytril may work better? There are few antibiotics that can be used with hamsters and some that will kill them so the vet needs to be careful. It's a vicious circle. I'm sorry she is going through this and you the worry. I would give her whatever she will take just now. The infection may be in the vaginal area below the removed womb or the discharge may be from the healing tissue inside her. It's not easy to deal with and you can only do your best and go with your heart. She may tell you if she has had enough so listen for her whisper.
Hugs to you.

I have used baytril before and it didn't seem to work

Unsure of septrin, they have only given me sulfatrim.

I hope this will be the last batch of antibiotics she will need, I really don't think its right to keep pumping her with them. It's so worrying

She is sleeping more than usual, i get her out to go in her ball (for a short while) and she is running etc, but when i put her back in her cage she doesn't do much, i don't see her on her wheel much if at all and this is when i just see her in the corner of the cage.. it's so sad

it doesn't help that she is a younger hamster

souffle · 01-02-2019, 08:06 AM

Septrin is the same as sulfatrim I think. I've had it before for my hamsters and it is more palatable. I know how sad it makes you feel and how helpless but you can only do your best you really can. Nature will decide what happens now xx

mzwiwy · 01-02-2019, 11:55 AM

Hoping this will do the trick. Keep us updated.

Pebbles82 · 01-02-2019, 04:45 PM

So sorry she and you are having such a hard time. As Souffle says, some female conditions can be hard to cure. Pyometra is a big worry in female hamsters and often is never fully cured due to recurring infections. You are doing all you can. Is she still enjoying food? If so you could try giving her some immune boosting foods as treats/ extras as well as her regular mix. Brazil nuts are supposed to contain something that is immune boosting - half a brazil nut once or twice a week may be liked by her and it can't do any harm. Hemp seeds are supposed to contain all vitamins so could help with immune boosting. I get the Linwoods shelled hempseeds from Holland and Barrett (they're supposed to be for humans to put on their breakfast

Our hamster loves them and nibbles them up - I think they taste nutty. I put half a teaspoon out on a saucer.

Burdock is supposed to remove toxins from the blood and be full of antioxidants. You can get dried burdock root from health food shops and herbalists - I occasionally put a small piece out. However as herbs are effectively medicine you may need to check with the vet whether it's contraindicated with the antibiotic - or wait till the antibiotic is finished is probably the best thing. Our hamsters seem to like to nibble it and I like that there is something healthy and natural that can help them heal themselves. The pieces of root are very small so they can't overeat on it and they tend to only take what they want anyway.

I sent for it by post as no places that sell dried herbs/health food places near me - except Holland Barrett. Baldwins herbs have just about all herbs to buy by post and you only need an ounce or so.

https://www.baldwins.co.uk/baldwins-...c-burdock-root

Here is some more info about burdock as a herb. The chinese use it as an immune remedy and it's good for infections. It is also fine for hamsters to nibble on, like dandelion roots - in moderation. A small piece scattered a couple of times a week wouldn't do any harm. This is just my opinion

I am a big fan of medicinal herbs when general treatment doesn't work or isn't available and the idea that it helps the body heal itself rather than just treating symptoms.

https://www.rjwhelan.co.nz/herbs%20A-Z/burdock.html

peridotgreen · 01-08-2019, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

So sorry she and you are having such a hard time. As Souffle says, some female conditions can be hard to cure. Pyometra is a big worry in female hamsters and often is never fully cured due to recurring infections. You are doing all you can. Is she still enjoying food? If so you could try giving her some immune boosting foods as treats/ extras as well as her regular mix. Brazil nuts are supposed to contain something that is immune boosting - half a brazil nut once or twice a week may be liked by her and it can't do any harm. Hemp seeds are supposed to contain all vitamins so could help with immune boosting. I get the Linwoods shelled hempseeds from Holland and Barrett (they're supposed to be for humans to put on their breakfast

Our hamster loves them and nibbles them up - I think they taste nutty. I put half a teaspoon out on a saucer.

Burdock is supposed to remove toxins from the blood and be full of antioxidants. You can get dried burdock root from health food shops and herbalists - I occasionally put a small piece out. However as herbs are effectively medicine you may need to check with the vet whether it's contraindicated with the antibiotic - or wait till the antibiotic is finished is probably the best thing. Our hamsters seem to like to nibble it and I like that there is something healthy and natural that can help them heal themselves. The pieces of root are very small so they can't overeat on it and they tend to only take what they want anyway.

I sent for it by post as no places that sell dried herbs/health food places near me - except Holland Barrett. Baldwins herbs have just about all herbs to buy by post and you only need an ounce or so.

https://www.baldwins.co.uk/baldwins-...c-burdock-root

Here is some more info about burdock as a herb. The chinese use it as an immune remedy and it's good for infections. It is also fine for hamsters to nibble on, like dandelion roots - in moderation. A small piece scattered a couple of times a week wouldn't do any harm. This is just my opinion

I am a big fan of medicinal herbs when general treatment doesn't work or isn't available and the idea that it helps the body heal itself rather than just treating symptoms.

https://www.rjwhelan.co.nz/herbs%20A-Z/burdock.html

UPDATE: There is some sensitivity issues with Sulfatrim, waiting call back from actual vet again, to see where we go from here

Does this mean I should just stop using it? I asked the lady on the phone and she said "well, I would assume so.. yes"
I havn't gave her second dose today yet :/ God this is so stressful

peridotgreen · 01-08-2019, 01:27 PM

for god sake! just phoned them up, the other lady told me that sensitivity for the antibiotic is a good thing!!! & said i should hear back from jason in the next few days :@@@@@

souffle · 01-08-2019, 02:17 PM

Did she maybe mean that the bacteria is sensitive to the antibiotic which is a good thing. If a bacteria is sensitive that means that the antibiotic will kill that bacteria. If the bacteria is insensitive then the antibiotic will not kill it.
If she seems OK on the meds then I would keep giving it. I've never had issues with it when I have used it with mine,