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Old 03-07-2021, 11:02 AM   #1
mazzypan
Newborn Pup
 
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Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Manchester, England
Posts: 43
Unhappy Throat tumour

Hi guys. I noticed a big lump appeared on Friday night which wasn’t there the day before on Edward’s throat area. He has been losing his fur slowly for a while, but this past week or so he has been balding a lot, mainly on his hips and his underneath/belly area. He used to be so fluffy now he looks like a ballsack, luckily as of now he’s still eating great, acting normal etc. We went to the vet today (Pets at Home because i could book there soonest - they arent specialised in small animals) and they said it’s most likely a tumour. I was thinking of going to a small animal specialist but I don’t know if it’s worth it because I don’t think any medication can be provided, and the vet said because he is 1 1/2 and it is on his delicate throat area, surgery would be extremely high risk. Do you guys have any advice? Should I just keep him comfortable and see how he goes on? He’s going to deteriorate, I am so devastated, but I don’t think that surgery is a good option. Right now I’m thinking see how he gets on, and if I notice eventually he starts suffering because of this tumour, I will make the decision probably to put him to sleep then. What do you guys think? Have any of you experienced this too?
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Old 03-08-2021, 05:07 AM   #2
Ria P
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Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
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Default Re: Throat tumour

I'm sorry to hear about your hamster but can't comment on his condition because i don't know why a big lump would appear overnight.

I have been in the situation where i had no or little confidence in the vet treating my hamster so went to see two more vets within the same surgery until i found one who i felt confident with so now i will always ask for that vet.

I must admit that i wouldn't go to a p@h vet which doesn't mean that all their vets only know about cats and dogs but i lack faith in this particular shop in general.

One of my hamsters, a 16mths old dwarf also has a swelling on her throat which appeared very suddenly and partial balding on her underside. She is sometimes quite shaky, has always been a bit shaky which got worse as she got older. Her vet suspects a problem with her lymphatic system causing a build up of fluid but thinks that she's not in pain. The swelling has gone down and some of her fur has grown back. She also had a one off bleed which was treated with Loxicom (anti inflammatory/pain relief) so the problem could also be kidney related.

The vet and i are both of the opinion that any further investigation and invasive tests at the exotic animals hospital would maybe give a diagnosis but not achieve anything and the aneasthetic itself would be a risk.

I monitor her closely and administer PRN Loxicom but aside from that let her live her life until the day when i think that she may be suffering in which case i would have her euthanised.

Opinions will vary because some people think that absolutely everything should be tried including surgery whereas others like myself are of the opinion that its kinder for a hamster of a certain age who only has another 6 month to live going by the law of average to live it out without the pain and discomfort of surgery or invasive procedures.
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Old 03-08-2021, 07:50 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Throat tumour

I would get another opinion from an exotic vet. My vet did a phone/photo consultation last time. It may be the case that the tumour isn’t operable but an exotic vet will be able to talk it through with you re surgery or not. It may depend how big the lump is. But yes it is likely it won’t be operable. At 1.5 he is not too old for surgery and it may depend what kind of tumour it is. If it is enclosed in a sac it may be operable. So personally I would get another opinion. If surgery isn’t an option then yes it is a case of tlc. It can be difficult to know when they are in pain. I think an exotic vet would prescribe metacam which can help shrink tumours and is pain relief. It will help but won’t be strong enough got cancer pain if things progress. Google exotic vets in your area and phone to see if they are doing consultations. Our vet is doing them with you dropping the pet at the door.
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