Pumpkin has a lump near her groin - Page 2

cypher · 05-19-2020, 10:37 PM

It can be hard to judge when they're in pain as they are so good at hiding it but if she shows any signs of discomfort especially if it begins to limit use of her leg I would use it then, if the tumour is growing quickly there is the chance it could be causing some pain or discomfort internally if it's pressing onto anything or attached to something so I would give it sooner rather than later, it won't do her any harm to begin using it a little too soon rather than too late & most hams seem to like it so it isn't going to be stressful trying to get her to take it.

Thin Lizzy · 05-24-2020, 06:19 AM

This is the news any hamster owner dreads and Pumpkin being 9 months old isn't old, however where the lump is, it could be difficult for surgery. It's a decision I wouldn't want to make. I hope the metacam helps her and keeps her comfortable.

sushi_78 · 05-24-2020, 04:58 PM

Thank you Thin Lizzy. I found out by contacting the shop she was from that I was misinformed about her age when I got her. She's actually 12-18 months old.

It was a difficult decision about the surgery. I was mainly worried about the stress for her. I mentioned stress to the vet and he said he could do it "stress-free" but I think he was just thinking of the surgery itself which obviously she'd be unconscious for - not the recovery. I've seen Pumpkin take days to recover from a stressful event sometimes - she doesn't deal with change well.

Thin Lizzy · 05-26-2020, 09:03 AM

Knowing Pumpkin's actually 12-18 months old, the older they get the risks get higher, as an owner you always hope nothing bad will happen and you've made the right decision knowing that Pumpkin is easily stressed and recovery can vary. All you can do is cherish her, spoil her and talk to her.

sushi_78 · 06-19-2020, 08:17 PM

An update on Pumpkin and a couple of concerns.

Her tumour has doubled in size over the last month but isn't affecting her mobility (that I can see). I decided to start the painkillers a couple of weeks ago. Although I haven't noticed any signs of pain, animals can hide it, and after weighing everything up, the short term risks from untreated pain seemed greater than the long term risks of unnecessary medication, given her age and the speed the tumour is growing.

The areas of fur loss on her underside have expanded. She also now has bald patches behind her ears, on her rump and on the heels of her back feet. I'm worried her feet may get sore as the skin already looks a bit red. I'm thinking of getting her a wooden Trixie wheel with a cork running surface as her current plastic Trixie wheel has small ridges on the running surface. Not a problem for healthy feet but it might be making her bald feet sore. Is there anything I can apply to her feet to help her skin?

She also looks very greasy nowadays. I know she is accessing her sand bath as I see footprints in it every morning, but I don't know if she's rolling in it.

Vierville · 06-20-2020, 05:23 AM

I'm so sorry to hear of Pumpkin's tumour sushi_78.

Tumours can grow very quickly but as long as her quality of life is not being adversely affected they can live with them.

As hamsters get more elderly, they can look more scruffy. I found that as long as they are maintaining their weight, they are ok. If their weight starts dropping and they begin to feel frail, bony and thin then the tumour is having a negative effect on their bodies.

My thoughts are with you and Pumpkin. She's a beautiful little girl.