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Old 08-09-2020, 05:25 PM   #1
sarahhhh
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Default My hammy has a tumour.

I wanted to post on here because very often people become aggressive with their views on facebook.
My hamster has a tumour on her back right leg, she has a vets appointment on Friday but I'm looking for some comfort as I'm very upset.
She is aggressive, she bites and hisses as she is a rescue and is having to have gas to be seen to. What I want to talk about is, I've been going back and forth in my head on whether she should have the tumour removed. It isn't affecting her quality of life and I really don't know if it's right to put her under so much risk and stress to have it removed. I love her more than anything and honestly I'm putting myself in her shoes, and idk if I would want it done either.
Another concern is money, I'm out of work and a university student, so if it REALLY IS worth her having the surgery done, I will find the money from somewhere. I'm borrowing £50 from my boyfriend for the appointment on Friday.
Please will you comment your opinions on what I've written and your experiences with tumours. I'm heartbroken and just want her to be ok which is laughable because she hates me.
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Old 08-09-2020, 10:36 PM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

I’m really sorry to hear your ham has a tumour.
Deciding about surgery can be difficult, hamsters can & do go through surgery & recover well but it does depend on the individual, age if known, how healthy they are generally & other factors like the kind of tumour, how fast it’s growing or likely to grow, these are things the vet should be able to best advise you on when you take her in.
It’s worth bearing in. mind that hamsters are very good at hiding any signs of being in pain, as she’s not really tame it may make it even harder to tell if she’s suffering or not, again something your vet should be able to help you with.
There isn’t a simple yes or no answer really but if your vet does think she is up to surgery & has a good chance of recovery then I would certainly consider it, we have had lots of hams on here do really well after having tumours removed so she could be fine.
I’m sure you’ll make the right choice for her with the help of your vet, let us know how you get on.
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Old 08-10-2020, 05:24 AM   #3
sarahhhh
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher View Post
I’m really sorry to hear your ham has a tumour.
Deciding about surgery can be difficult, hamsters can & do go through surgery & recover well but it does depend on the individual, age if known, how healthy they are generally & other factors like the kind of tumour, how fast it’s growing or likely to grow, these are things the vet should be able to best advise you on when you take her in.
It’s worth bearing in. mind that hamsters are very good at hiding any signs of being in pain, as she’s not really tame it may make it even harder to tell if she’s suffering or not, again something your vet should be able to help you with.
There isn’t a simple yes or no answer really but if your vet does think she is up to surgery & has a good chance of recovery then I would certainly consider it, we have had lots of hams on here do really well after having tumours removed so she could be fine.
I’m sure you’ll make the right choice for her with the help of your vet, let us know how you get on.
Thank you so much, I'll keep you updated x
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Old 08-10-2020, 06:19 AM   #4
Amethyst_ice
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

Hello, welcome to the forum

Sorry to hear about your hammy. You say she is a rescue, what kind of hamster is she and do you know roughly how old?

I am wondering if perhaps she is acting this way due to the tumour...if you are in pain and have something in an area always being used, you may get grumpy and narky also!

I understand the out of work and uni situation, I was in the same myself (many) years ago. I turned to the PDSA who have helped me lots but as a charity they obviously are very stretched. £50 seems excessive for a consultation though.

Only you know and obviously with the vets recommendations. Keep us updated x
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Old 08-10-2020, 03:25 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

I agree, the biting and hissing could partly be because she's in pain. It really depends on her age as to whether surgery is a good option. If she's not that old then it is probably worth doing. If she is an older hamster then many of them live with tumours until they seem to be suffering (if they haven't passed on) and then it's often a case of helping them on their way.

A vet consultation in my neck of the woods only costs about £20 - any meds etc would be on top of that. I assume the £50 is because they are doing an anaesthetic as well. I am not sure why they would be doing an anaesthetic unless it was to do the surgery though. A vet could just examine her without needing an anaesthetic.

How old is she and what species of hamster?
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Old 08-10-2020, 03:42 PM   #6
Petite
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

Sorry to hear about your hammy. I'm sure she doesn't hate you! It's far more likely just a reaction to being in discomfort, especially if she seems distressed. I hope you manage to reach the right decision about surgery with the vet. Please keep us updated if you can.
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Old 08-10-2020, 05:08 PM   #7
sarahhhh
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice View Post
Hello, welcome to the forum

Sorry to hear about your hammy. You say she is a rescue, what kind of hamster is she and do you know roughly how old?

I am wondering if perhaps she is acting this way due to the tumour...if you are in pain and have something in an area always being used, you may get grumpy and narky also!

I understand the out of work and uni situation, I was in the same myself (many) years ago. I turned to the PDSA who have helped me lots but as a charity they obviously are very stretched. £50 seems excessive for a consultation though.

Only you know and obviously with the vets recommendations. Keep us updated x
Hi, thank you. Shes a dwarf hammy and my guess is a year and a half years old but I'm unsure how long she was in the pet shop before her previous owner bought her (they didnt care for her well at all). She's always been aggressive due to mistreatment and I didnt feel it necessary to tame her as she's comfortable with me, but hates being handled. I figured I'd respect her wishes. She bit me because I attempted to clip her nails as it wasn't possible at the vets and figured it would be better for her for me to try. It's £15 for the consultation, £20 for the breath of gas to relax her plus any treatment she may need. The vets are incredible and the best in my area, they put the animal before money and don't push past her boundaries. I'm gonna be speak to my vet for my best options and likely follow advice. The PDSA are my best bet if she needs surgery x
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Old 08-10-2020, 05:11 PM   #8
sarahhhh
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
I agree, the biting and hissing could partly be because she's in pain. It really depends on her age as to whether surgery is a good option. If she's not that old then it is probably worth doing. If she is an older hamster then many of them live with tumours until they seem to be suffering (if they haven't passed on) and then it's often a case of helping them on their way.

A vet consultation in my neck of the woods only costs about £20 - any meds etc would be on top of that. I assume the £50 is because they are doing an anaesthetic as well. I am not sure why they would be doing an anaesthetic unless it was to do the surgery though. A vet could just examine her without needing an anaesthetic.

How old is she and what species of hamster?
Hi, shes a dwarf and I'm guessing around a year and a half in age.
She's always been aggressive due to mistreatment and it didn't seem necessary to tame her. She's comfortable with me but doesn't enjoy being handled so I figured I'd respect her wishes. Can vets prescribe pain killers? It's £15 for the consultation, £20 for the gas (it doesn't completely knock her out, just relaxes her enough for her to be seen to without excessive stress and plus any treatment she may need x
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Old 08-10-2020, 05:13 PM   #9
sarahhhh
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Petite View Post
Sorry to hear about your hammy. I'm sure she doesn't hate you! It's far more likely just a reaction to being in discomfort, especially if she seems distressed. I hope you manage to reach the right decision about surgery with the vet. Please keep us updated if you can.
Thank you, she's just aggressive due to mistreatment. She tends to be more relaxed in my company but she violently hates being handled. Thank you for your compassion, I'll keep you updated for sure x
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Old 08-10-2020, 09:49 PM   #10
Vierville
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Default Re: My hammy has a tumour.

Hi sarahhh, I'm so sorry to hear about your hamster's tumor. Sadly tumors are a very common thing for hamsters to get.

As the others have said, whether or not to put her through surgery depends largely on her age and physical condition. My one little boy, also an older rescued dwarf of undetermined age, developed tumors and after consulting with the vet it was decided that the trauma of surgery would be too much for him.He lived a number of good, happy months without the tumors bothering him.

If she does need surgery, please ask the vets about cost when they see her as it may well cost less than you think and some vets will be happy to offer a payment plan so you can pay them over a number of months.

Lastly, please don't think she hates you. She's had a difficult life and is likely scared of people but I believe that they can sense who the humans are that love them and I am absolutely certain that you love her very much which she can pick up on.
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