Fatal Pyometra - Advice Needed

[szam]

My Syrian girl, Esther just passed away. I am heartbroken.

I was hoping someone would be able to shed some light on how it happened, as I'm finding it difficult to process or understand.

Esther had been getting a more reluctant to come out each evening for the past few weeks. This wasn't unusual for her, she was very temperamental and if you caught her at the wrong time she refused to come out to play. Otherwise, she was eating and drinking just fine.

About one week ago she started eating less and sleeping a bit more. She also seemed to have aged a little - as in, her fur looked a bit greyer somehow.

Four days ago she started seeming lethargic, and began sleeping a lot more. She was still drinking and eating a little.

Three days ago she was difficult to get out of her house for me to check on her. When she came out, she seemed wobbly. It was a Saturday and so I was hoping she would be okay until Monday when I could see our usual vet, and I began giving her water with a pipette and hand feeding her.

Two days ago I had to open up her little house to check on her as she wasn't getting up. I found her in a bad way, and she had a lot of discharge coming out of her. We rushed to the emergency vet and she was diagnosed with open pyometra. The vet explained the usual (and I had done my research), that she needed a hysterectomy. As we did not know any small animal vets in the area, we went away with antibiotics, saline (for me to administer myself) and Alizin, which I know a couple of other hamsters have had success with (as I understand it, it's effectively an abortion drug that flushes everything out). He assured me this would be effective, or at least improve her so we could have the surgery.

Yesterday I administered her antibiotics. I weighed her to see if she needed fluids (the vet said to replace every gram lost with one gram/ml of fluid). She had not lost any, so I did not inject her. Instead I gave her lots of juicy veggies. She had stopped having discharge.

Today she went to the vet for her second dose of Alizin. The vet said she seemed okay, and she was moving about just fine (my partner was present, as I was working). I returned home from work and went to give her her antibiotics, but I could not wake her. She was laying in a different spot to her usual house, I could tell immediately she was not well. I stroked her but she would not wake. She was breathing, and roused a little but seemed to struggle to lift her head and then drifted off again.

I called the emergency vet again, they advised that as long as she is comfortable then I should keep here here and let her pass. She passed away four hours later. I nursed her throughout, keeping her warm and stroking her. During this time she had a few little shakes.

Now, I'm really not sure what has happened. She seemed to be improving. There are a few things that I am concerned about -

- When at the emergency vets, she bit the vet. He flung her off his hand, and she landed quite hard. I was very upset when this happened, but she seemed okay.

- I am concerned that I should have given her more saline, despite following the vets advice. She had a small pipette amount this morning. Could this have been dehydration?

- When weighing her, she jumped out of my hand and landed on the scale (about a 20cm drop). She seemed dazed after this. I made sure she was okay and put her back to bed.


In my grief, I'm racking my brain trying to figure this all out. Could it have been the factors above? Or did the infection spread? I suspect she had neurological issues or had a stroke or something towards the end?

Any insight would be really appreciated

[souffle]

I don't think we ever not truly what happens and we never get an answer to these questions but it wasn't your fault. You did everything you could and your best is always good enough and you gave her your very best. Very few hamsters recover from a Pyo, even those that do have a hysterectomy. It is likely the toxins from the womb overwhelmed her system and she would have been unconcious as she crossed over. I've often see this slight remission with antibiotics then the little one will go downhill quickly sadly. I like to think they get a little time to say goodbye. I'm sorry you lost her but she is free from her pain now and she was loved as she passed and she would have felt this. Take her in your heart now and remember the lovely memories she has left you with.
Play well at the bridge Esther.

[Salem13]

I agree with souffle. Pyo moves quickly and I've seen it kill cats and dogs in a matter of days, with critters as small as hamsters it can seem like as soon as you notice it they're gone. There is very little you could have done, even if you had gone to the vet the exact second she started acting lethargic. The incidents you mentioned may have been alarming or uncomfortable but I doubt they had anything to do with it.

I'm so sorry for your loss, Esther was lucky to have had someone as caring as yourself.

[Pebbles82]

I am so sorry. I think it is a blessing in a way that she passed peacefully at home with you like this as the condition can go on and be very distressing, even after surgery they can die of it. She was in a bad way and wouldn't have bitten the vet if she hadn't been in pain. It is very hard when they come near to the end - it is rarely quick and peaceful, but thankfully she was not unwell for a long time and is now playing free over the rainbow bridge.

They are more likely to bite or try and escape if ill or in pain so that was all part of the progress. Although I am not impressed with what your vet did. For the future I would find another vet. An exotic vet - not only can they do any surgery necessary but they are much more experienced with hamsters and don't cost any more. Just google exotic vets in your area and you'll know who to see another time. I had to do this - went through two vets before I found one I was happy with. Not all vets are that good with handling animals so go with your instincts - I did.

You did your best for her but the illness overtook her - I doubt any falls would have contributed although it wasn't pleasant. Either way - we will not know other than she was unwell and unlikely to make a full recovery. Big hugs for you - these things can be so traumatic when it's a loved pet - we do our best and can't fix everything - then it is time for nature to take over when you have done everything possible - which you did - to help her. Play well over the rainbow bridge Esther - there are many other ham friends there xxx

[szam]

I just want to thank you all for your kind words and reassurance, I really appreciate you taking the time to offer support

[Josie]

So sorry to hear about Esther's passing you did your best for her and you were with her at the end, play well at the bridge Esther hugs to you xxxx

[Maker]

she passed with you showing her love and affection which is all any of us can hope for, you did nothing wrong, you did everything right. RIP little Esther x