Suspected lymphoma :(

WillowHamHam · 03-21-2019, 01:20 PM

My 20 month old syrian Willow began losing her fur around 2 1/2 weeks ago, starting on her face but has now progressed to almost entirely her neck, face and stomach, with her back balding now as well. Initially we treated her for mites but she didn't stop losing fur so we took her back and they decided to put her on a course of Baytril incase it was caused by an infection. Again, this didn't work and she has continued to lose her fur. Her skin is a little bit pink, but I don't know if this is normal as I hadn't seen it prior to the fur loss. We went back yesterday and she was seen by another vet (as the other one doesn't work Wednesdays). As soon as she saw Willow she suggested Lymphoma (T-cell I think?), however she didn't check for any lumps or anything else like that. Is there a chance she could have lymphoma without any lumps present? I have had a look and feel as much as I can and haven't noticed anything I feel is abnormal, but I'm not a vet and I didn't press too hard so there may be internal lumps. They said that there isn't a lot in the way of treatment, but have put her on 0.5ml twice daily of a steroid tablet dissolved in water (the easiest way to get the correct dosage into her as they didn't have any suitable for a hamster), they didn't say what this was for.
She is also making a strange squeaking, sneezy noise from time to time. It started just over a week ago and she seems to just do it at random times, not whilst doing anything in particular. Could it be pain?

I have attatched a couple of photos and a short video of the noise she is making.
https://youtu.be/obqmg1xQ1RQ

Does anyone else have any experience with lymphomas in syrians? Willow is my first so I don't really know what to be looking for. One of my biggest concerns is that she will suffer, so any pointers as to what I should look out for would be greatly appreciated. Also, she really hates taking the medication so I am worried that I will be doing more harm than good if I am stressing her out. I have to get someone else to hold her whilst I try and get the syringe in her mouth, but it usually takes a couple of tries as I only tend to get 0.1ml in at a time. Any other advice would also be welcomed!

Pebbles82 · 03-21-2019, 01:40 PM

I am so sorry your hammy is still suffering. Whatever it is she doesn't sound happy if she is squeaking. Did they give you any Metacam for pain relief?

It can stress them having to be syringe fed medication. I have had some great tips on here recently for disguising strong tasting meds in food. But that would depend if she is eating ok.

As well as the steroids I think she should be on Metacam (anti-inflammatory/pain relief) just in case she is in pain. That doesn't taste unpleasant and it's just a drop or two of the medicine - I've been mixing Metacam into a pea-sized amount of tasty baby food (pumpkin and chicken). They tend to love any fresh tasty food and lick it all up. You could use one of the baby food lids as a separate little dish for the baby food with meds in.

I would think you could also put the steroids in food. How much water do you have to dissolve the tablet in and then how much of the liquid for each dose?

It does sound like lymphoma - the skin and hair loss issues are a symptom - it sounds like cancerous cells affect the skin as well as internally, from what I've read - also it can affect respiratory system which maybe why she is sneezing and snuffling.

I am not sure what the steroids are supposed to help with but they could get a skin infection as well as the lymphoma (maybe due to changes and low infection).

I think it sounds like the most important treatment though is Metacam for relief from pain and discomfort, and keeping her comfortable and pain free so she can live out her life. And if she does start deteriorating or Metacam isn't enough you would need to be prepared to think about helping her on her way.

WillowHamHam · 03-21-2019, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I am so sorry your hammy is still suffering. Whatever it is she doesn't sound happy if she is squeaking. Did they give you any Metacam for pain relief?

It can stress them having to be syringe fed medication. I have had some great tips on here recently for disguising strong tasting meds in food. But that would depend if she is eating ok.

As well as the steroids I think she should be on Metacam (anti-inflammatory/pain relief) just in case she is in pain. That doesn't taste unpleasant and it's just a drop or two of the medicine - I've been mixing Metacam into a pea-sized amount of tasty baby food (pumpkin and chicken). They tend to love any fresh tasty food and lick it all up. You could use one of the baby food lids as a separate little dish for the baby food with meds in.

I would think you could also put the steroids in food. How much water do you have to dissolve the tablet in and then how much of the liquid for each dose?

They didn't prescribe her any metacam but I have considered giving her some that I already have from my other syrian and rabbit. However, I of course don't want to accidentally overdose her so I think I will ring tomorrow and ask for a dosage as I have both cat and dog strength.
She is eating normally I think, although I tried baby food with her Baytril and she wasn't convinced! But I think it was more the syringe that she didn't like as she took it when I put a bit on a treat or a spoon for her to lick off.
I'm not sure how much tablet is dissolved into the water because they premixed the entire course for me, but it said two of the 1mg tablets (I don't remeber the exact name, something beginning with P).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

It does sound like lymphoma - the skin and hair loss issues are a symptom - it sounds like cancerous cells affect the skin as well as internally, from what I've read - also it can affect respiratory system which maybe why she is sneezing and snuffling.

I am not sure what the steroids are supposed to help with but they could get a skin infection as well as the lymphoma (maybe due to changes and low infection).

I think it sounds like the most important treatment though is Metacam for relief from pain and discomfort, and keeping her comfortable and pain free so she can live out her life. And if she does start deteriorating or Metacam isn't enough you would need to be prepared to think about helping her on her way.

I think metacam is a must for her, especially if the squeaking is pain. I am trying to keep a really close eye on her so that I can see when she begins to deteriorate but I am worried that I won't notice until it is really bad :/

Pebbles82 · 03-21-2019, 05:17 PM

Yes the problem with the Baytril is it tastes nasty and food doesn't disguise the taste - my vet said baby food wouldn't work. I used Beef Country Hunter dog food after a tip from Vectis and it worked really well. The strong beefy taste disguised the baytril and our Robo not only ate it up every day but kept wanting more! He'd push the plate around and keep licking it clean. Baby food is fine for Metacam though.

The squeaking could mean she's in pain or at least discomfort. Yes ask your vet about it, I can't see why she should not have it whatever the diagnosis - if her skin is that way it must be uncomfortable for her.

The dose of dog metacam for our robo works out at one drop 0.01ml. I had to double check the dosage as it was confusing. So you'd have to ask the vet to work it out based on the weight of your hamster.

WillowHamHam · 03-22-2019, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Yes the problem with the Baytril is it tastes nasty and food doesn't disguise the taste - my vet said baby food wouldn't work. I used Beef Country Hunter dog food after a tip from Vectis and it worked really well. The strong beefy taste disguised the baytril and our Robo not only ate it up every day but kept wanting more! He'd push the plate around and keep licking it clean. Baby food is fine for Metacam though.

The squeaking could mean she's in pain or at least discomfort. Yes ask your vet about it, I can't see why she should not have it whatever the diagnosis - if her skin is that way it must be uncomfortable for her.

The dose of dog metacam for our robo works out at one drop 0.01ml. I had to double check the dosage as it was confusing. So you'd have to ask the vet to work it out based on the weight of your hamster.

I wasn't at home last night so I had to get my mum to give Willow her steroids and apparently she took them really well. All she had to do was put the syringe by her mouth whilst she was in her nest and she took little sips until it was all gone. I'm really happy about that because I was starting to wonder if it was worth the stress. I haven't managed to ring the vets about the metacam yet but I will ring in the morning and see what they think.
Also, I had her out earlier as she got up for a bit, and I think that some of her fur may be growing back on her chest! It is very possible that this is just wishful thinking but I am convinced that it wasn't there a couple of days ago. It isn't a lot, just a small patch of short fur on her chest inbetween her arms. Is it typical for them to grow their fur back with lymphoma?

Pebbles82 · 03-22-2019, 01:16 PM

I don't know I'm afraid. Maybe the steroids are helping but it seems a bit quick. It is difficult when it isn't a clear diagnosis but sometimes there can be a few things going on. If steroids do help then it suggests an auto-immune condition maybe.

WillowHamHam · 03-22-2019, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I don't know I'm afraid. Maybe the steroids are helping but it seems a bit quick. It is difficult when it isn't a clear diagnosis but sometimes there can be a few things going on. If steroids do help then it suggests an auto-immune condition maybe.

That's why I thought it was probably just wishful thinking. However, I have looked back at the progress photos I have been taking and it does seem to be slightly better. Perhaps it is an auto-immune condition, I will ask the vets when I ring next.

Pebbles82 · 03-22-2019, 08:22 PM

Or an allergy even. Had you changed anything in her cage recently just before this started? Different bedding? Anything scented in the cage?

WillowHamHam · 03-23-2019, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Or an allergy even. Had you changed anything in her cage recently just before this started? Different bedding? Anything scented in the cage?

I don't think anything has changed. She has been on carefresh natural for around a year and was on fitch before that. I did change her sand from the tiny friends farm to washed children's play sand as the TFF sand has been rather dusty recently. However, her fur loss began before that and I have removed all sand since just to be safe. I'm 99% sure there isn't anything scented in her cage, and I do not use any sprays or aerosols around her (she is in my bedroom). Although I suppose she could have developed an allergy to it over time?

Pebbles82 · 03-23-2019, 04:25 PM

It is something to rule out. I have heard of hamsters developing an issue with Carefresh before and it gets resolved when the bedding is changed. I can't see how exactly, but it would be worth changing it back to Fitch - I think it's the least allergenic of all the paper beddings as it doesn't go through as many chemical processes as the wood pulp based ones like Carefresh.