Possible ruptured eye

[Petite]

My winter white, Theo, has had problems with her right eye for several months now. I've taken her to the vet three times. Visit 1: Possible infection, given antibiotics via her water bottle. Visit 2: Vet said it could be glaucoma, and they couldn't rule out her losing the eye. Visit 3 (still with no improvement): told that all they could do was monitor her. We said we would monitor her at home, and they seemed happy with that.

Tonight I went to feed her, and she was in one of her hides, really drowsy, reluctant to come out (not normal when I'm offering her food) and her right eye - instead of bulging as it usually has been - was almost invisible, with streaks of blood around it. We are very afraid her eye may have ruptured. She took a morsel of food from my hand when offered, then went into her nest. It's impossible to tell if she's in any pain, but I fear she may well be. I don't like to try cleaning the eye in case I make things worse and cause more pain.

Will try to get hold of the vet out of hours tomorrow morning, but is there anything I can do until then? Really worried.

[souffle]

Did they not give steroid drops in case it was glaucoma? rupture is very painful for them so she will need some pain relief as soon as possible. I'd have him checked as soon as possible and hope he does ok overnight.

[Petite]

Thanks for your reply, souffle. Yes, they gave her what I assume were steroid drops for the possible glaucoma (Timolol), although it was often the case that we couldn't get them into her eye! We managed to get her in to see the out of hours vet last night, who confirmed that the lens had prolapsed and the eye had ruptured. She had an anti-inflammatory / pain-killing injection (Metacam) which should have seen her through the night and made her much more comfortable. The injection only lasts for up to 24 hours, and if there is any problem over the weekend or early next week they want me to take her in again.

I haven't seen her yet this morning, but that isn't unusual. For now I am just very relieved and hoping that things settle down.

[souffle]

aww poor little lass. Hopefully the pain will have gone now. I think the eye will normally just shrivel up now though you do need to keen checking for any infection. The other eye may also be affected. It's a hard situation but keep things in the cage the same as if she has no eyesight on that side she needs to know where things are. Fingers crossed for a good recovery.

[Vierville]

Bless her little heart, I hope she does well. I had a beloved hamster with one eye (lost to a cat attack). They cope just fine but remember also that when you approach him, always try to scratch around the substrate just infront of him to let him know you are there and talk as much as you can so you don't surprise or frighten him. Always approach him from the side of the good eye so he can see you.Doing this they will always know where you are.

Best of luck for little Theo.

[Petite]

Theo hasn't been herself this week since her eye ruptured, and we took her back to the vet today this afternoon. He explained that for her to have any chance of a normal life she would need surgery to remove her eye, but that for such tiny creatures there was considerably less than a 50% chance of her coming through it. He added that if he had been her hamster, he would put her to sleep, because a ruptured eye is excruciatingly painful. So that is what we have done. We have brought her back to bury her in the garden. The house doesn't feel the same without her.

[Vierville]

Ahhhh I am so very sorry to hear this. Rest in Peace little Theo.

[souffle]

I'm so sorry for your loss but you made absolutely the right decision made from love to set her free. Play well at the bridge Theo x

[Petite]

Vierville and Souffle, thank you so much for your kind thoughts.

[Pebbles82]

I am so sorry - such a hard decision but it sounds like the right one. Play well over the rainbow Bridge little Theo.