Syrian hamster potential tooth infection

[isabelliii]

Hi everyone, I’ve had my Syrian hamster for about a year and a half, she is around 2 years of age. Recently I noticed a lump under her eye and took her to the vets who prescribed baytril for 7 days, and instructions to return if there was no change after this week. So I took her in today and the vet emphasised how difficult it would be to put her under anaesthetic due to her age and the size of hamsters, and hinted that maybe I should think about putting her to sleep. In the time I’ve had her I’ve been amazed by her; she is so crazy and the most active hamster I’ve ever met, and since this lump appeared I’ve seen no changes in her attitude.

So, I need advise on what to do now. I hate to think about her suffering however starting from today I am giving her metacam for pain relief prescribed by the vet. Should I continue giving her baytril alongside of this ? Again, she’s showing no change in her attitude and is acting and eating exactly the same, but I’m unsure if she’s just good at hiding pain ???

Her still high spirits and general busyness make me incredibly reluctant to put her to sleep now , she doesn’t seem ready to die. Obviously I will when the time is right put her to sleep, but right now she seems her usual self.

Sorry this is so long, I’m just struggling with what to do with her. Would continuing her on metacam be okay and should I continue with baytril alongside it? Any help appreciated as I am at a loss.

[LunaTheHamster1]

What did your vet say about the baytrill? All I know is that if it was an infection, in an older hamster it can take longer to clear up and a vet would normally recommend a 2-3 week course. So, is your vet thinking it is something else?

Hamsters are good at hiding when they are ill, but if she is still active and seems to be her normal self, I totally understand why you would be finding it very hard to reconcile putting her to sleep. Again, what did the vet say about this? Are they thinking along the lines of keeping her out of pain and if she goes downhill then that is the time to put her to sleep? Or did they think the time was right to do it now? Would it help if you spoke to the vets again to clarify a few things?

You can give both baytrill and metcam to a hamster, but again I would be checking this with the vet. If you are not happy or clear with your vet, could you get a 2nd opinion form another vet?

[isabelliii]

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

What did your vet say about the baytrill? All I know is that if it was an infection, in an older hamster it can take longer to clear up and a vet would normally recommend a 2-3 week course. So, is your vet thinking it is something else?

Hamsters are good at hiding when they are ill, but if she is still active and seems to be her normal self, I totally understand why you would be finding it very hard to reconcile putting her to sleep. Again, what did the vet say about this? Are they thinking along the lines of keeping her out of pain and if she goes downhill then that is the time to put her to sleep? Or did they think the time was right to do it now? Would it help if you spoke to the vets again to clarify a few things?

You can give both baytrill and metcam to a hamster, but again I would be checking this with the vet. If you are not happy or clear with your vet, could you get a 2nd opinion form another vet?

I think i will be getting a second opinion ! The first vet I went to prescribed baytril as he said he couldn’t look inside her mouth without sedating her, so he would potentially do this if she hadn’t improved in a week. Unfortunately the next time I took her in I saw a different vet who was very dismissive to me and didn’t specialise in hamsters, she stated multiple times how hard it is to do surgery on a hamster so hinting heavily that I didn’t have options.

I definitely think I will get a second vets opinion because the thought of her in pain is awful and I would rather go to a vets that treats myself and Gloria with respect !

[Josie]

Sorry to hear that you are having this problem, always best to go with your instincts and get a second opinion, there are always options. Hope things turn out for the best for you and your Hammie