Boris & Pasha - Page 35

Thin Lizzy · 11-09-2017, 07:31 AM

So sorry to hear Pasha's been getting worse but I've got my fingers crossed for today's vet appointment.
Sending hugs to the both of you xxx

I so love that pic of King Floof.

BorisPasha · 11-09-2017, 10:30 AM

Pasha Update
Thank you for all your kind words and support

The vet student phoned yesterday morning just before he went for his second ultrasound to say he'd been ok overnight but that they had been able to test his urine and it was showing protein and blood. His kidneys were very abnormal. The left one was so enlarged it was difficuilt to see anything else in his tummy. The right kidney was also abnormal but wasn't enlarged. They think it is most likely cancer.

We brought him home yesterday and are just trying to keep him as comfortable as we can. I couldn't get him to take any of the critical care yesterday afternoon but he did take some last night along with his meds. We have to give him the critical care 5 times a day but although he took it a couple of times this morning, I could not get him to come out of his house this afternoon for it. He was sleeping in his ceramic house and he always comes out to see what's happening if I lift it but he didn't want to, he just wanted to sleep. We'll weigh him tonight but I expect he will have lost more weight. He is eating his veg but that is about all, apart from a flaked almond or some ground hazelnut.

I don't know how long we will have with him, I didn't want to even ask the question as it sounds like it is quite advanced. He's still hamstering around though so I don't think he's quite ready to go to the bridge yet. We have another appointment at the vet on Monday to check how things are. If his weight is stable and he's eating, taking his meds then we don't need to take him in. He doesn't seem to be in pain as he never flinched despite getting prodded and poked so we'll just be keeping a close eye on him as I don't want him to suffer.

This is a picture from 4 weeks ago, I just can't believe how quickly he has deteriorated

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SimonandSyril · 11-09-2017, 10:36 AM

Great photos of some great little fella's, how cute!

Coco61 · 11-09-2017, 01:10 PM

You are doing everything you can BP for the lovely Pasha. It can be hard to get a little one to take meds. You can only do your best. Excellent vet care helps but just love and care for Pasha for however long he has left with you.

Ruth Edwards · 11-09-2017, 03:16 PM

I hope little Pasha isn't too uncomfortable and glad you have good vets.

Burakki · 11-09-2017, 03:35 PM

Pasha is such a precious little thing, I am sorry so diagnosis is not the most positive, but I’m sure Pasha will try his best to beat it and stay with you as long as possible. You’re an incredible owner and I know he’s gonna be comfortable no matter what.

cypher · 11-09-2017, 10:34 PM

I was so sorry to hear the sad news about Pasha, I hope he is still managing to do some of his hamstery things bless him, he's such a little trooper.
Feeding the critical care 5 times a day is a big ask, he'll probably be more tired than usual anyway & less likely to want to come out that often for his food, I have found that when they are unwell or elderly & not eating the normal diet what they want can very from day to day but you're doing your very best for him & giving him the chance to enjoy his favourite things & that's the main thing.
You're giving the best care & all the love he could wish for & he knows that.

SKB_Hamsters · 11-10-2017, 04:22 PM

I am so sorry to hear about Pasha - I have only just seen this thread so I was in shock and also saddened to hear that Pasha is unwell with problems with his kidney and cancer. Your vet sounds wonderful and it was so lovely hearing about the wonderful care Pasha received. I hope Pasha takes his medicine and also continues to be able to do his usual hamstery things. He is so lucky to have such an amazing home with you. I will keep Pasha in my thoughts!

Thin Lizzy · 11-11-2017, 06:20 AM

It saddens me to read this about Pasha.
I agree with what Cypher said, it's so hard to watch them struggle with their meds, we feel so useless as owners but, deep down they know we're only trying to help them, he has so much love from you & hamdad and us. Treasure each day, spoil him with some tasty foods. I remember when Archie was ill and I was crying and telling him to fight, that mom can only do so much.
I'm thinking of you and the very handsome Pasha and sending you hugs xxx

BorisPasha · 11-15-2017, 10:27 AM

Pasha update

Thank you all, your support means a lot

Pasha was back at the vet yesterday to see how things are going. He's been maintaining his weight and he is still quite bright and alert which the vet was happy about.

They did speak about collecting a sterile urine sample under anasthetic which would be collected via ultrasound-guided needle cystocentesis. It would be quite risky to put a needle in to his kidney and it would likely just confirm the diagnosis and it would be highly unlikely they would be able to cure him. As much as I want to keep him forever I don't want to put him through something so stressful and risky for the outcome to be the same so it's just a case of keeping him comfortable.

We've been struggling, waking him 5 times a day to get the critical care in to him as he was really fighting against it and it just felt cruel. I decided to cut it to 4 times at the weekend, on the less is more approach. After talking to the vet yesterday we're going to cut it to twice a day. It just doesn't feel right to keep force feeding him something he doesn't want, he's still eating his veg and a little bit food but not much. I gave him a little bit yogurt yesterday and he seemed to really enjoy it. It's just a case of taking each day as it comes for now. He's still grooming himself and rolling around in his sand bath so I still don't think he's quite ready to go yet. I'm hoping he will make it obvious when he's had enough as I can't bear the thought of him suffering.

Little Snapdragon also went to the vets because he has decided he is hoarding most of his food and has barely eaten anything. As a result he has lost a lot of weight. He has went from 61g at the end of September to 56g on the 21/10 to 44g on the 10/11. The vet couldn't find anything physically wrong with him from the initial examination but because of the significant weight loss they kept him in the hospital last night so they could observe him and get a urine sample. We were hoping we could bring him home today but they still hadn't been able to get one from him so he's staying another night!

Right now I feel stressed and hopeless. I'm managing to stay calm when I'm round the hamsters as I don't want them to pick up on it, but when I'm on my own then it's hard fighting back the tears sometimes.

Pasha, just before he was knowingly ill
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Snapdragon, from a week ago
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