I COULDN'T RESIST.... - Page 3

suga · 01-09-2008, 05:51 AM

How's the little one doing today - a very cute hammie you have there.

I don't know much about wet tail - i have had a hamster with it - but she didn't survive 24 hours :-(.

I think if you suspect wet tail - then I'd run to the vet - as it can be a very fast illness.

Hope things are improving.

Btw - I have hamsterlopedia - fantastic!

Holly · 01-09-2008, 06:24 AM

Well I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that it isn't wet tail as many young hamsters do get diarrhoea that's just a simple upset tummy when they move to their new homes - the stress of moving, new food, new water etc can all cause it.

Unfortunately, from what I've read, it seems that wet tail is more common in petshop hamsters as it's caused by stress - if it is wet-tail he will become very unwell very quickly and need veterinary treatment ASAP as Catja says.

I'm no expert, as I've never had a hamster with diarrhoea, but if he's well and seems to be eating then it might be better to not take him to the vet - if the stress of moving is the cause then taking him to the vets on top of that might exacerbate the problem. However I must stress that I'd only suggest not taking him if he seems well in himself as, if it turns out he does have wet tail, a delay in treatment could be fatal.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you both that it's nothing serious and that he's better this afternoon.

**jayne** · 01-09-2008, 07:47 AM

Thanks again for everyone for your advise

I have phoned a vet just up the road from me and have an apppoinment at 5.20 tonight. I realised i didnt have any methos of transport to get him there so popped in to my local pet shop. Was just about to buy one of those superpet carriers and the manager went looking to see what elsehe had. Ended up giving me a decent sized plastic box with lid, which i will fill with some shavings and bedding, for free

Which i thought was very nice of him! I have just cleaned it with some animal disenfectant and letting it dry just now

So.... just home and have checked in him, hes has obviously moved since i checked in him this morning. He came out of bed and sniffed about for a few minutes. I managed to get him in his wheel and lifted him out for a closer look. Still pretty brown looking down there and was a bit of bedding stuck to him, bless

Anyway, i will keep you all posted on how i get on. Can i just ask, the consultation is £21.95? Is this a pretty average price for vets? This vet seems pretty good in the sense if you register with them you can have 121 chats with a vet over the phone or email.

Suga - sorry about your little one that didnt make it. This is my first syrian and althouh i have heard about wet tail i'm not experienced to know the whole ins and outs.

Catja · 01-09-2008, 08:59 AM

I must have a brilliant vet, they don't charge for the consultation just treatment!

Mind you we are in a small town and the vet is part of the community, but he is good, we had a rescue cat once who it was discovered was FIV, our previous vet wanted to put him down immediately, so we ended up with our current vet as he unlike all the others refused to do it as our cat would be near no others.

Rumble our Siamese went on to have another 7 years of very happy life

Fingers crossed for the little one!

souffle · 01-09-2008, 12:29 PM

£21 is pretty average for a first visit. Ours is £17 plus VAT and follow ups are about £8 plus meds. Our vet has had so much cash from us though they sometimes do a hammy for £4 though we seldom have to take them and it is usually a sad parting when we do.

**jayne** · 01-09-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

£21 is pretty average for a first visit. Ours is £17 plus VAT and follow ups are about £8 plus meds. Our vet has had so much cash from us though they sometimes do a hammy for £4 though we seldom have to take them and it is usually a sad parting when we do.

Oh, i forgot to say about that in my new topic.
I was expecting to pay over £25 at least all in after the medication but when i went to pay it was £19 all in

So i got Pepsi looked at as quick as i could and for a tiny bit less.
Although i wouldnt grudge paying more if it was to stop him feeling ill.... i love him already, i had to handle him for the first time to give him his medication, do you think he will assosciate me with being ill/mean?? If you know what i mean? My mind gets the better of me sometimes and i end up thinking of everything and anything

souffle · 01-09-2008, 03:26 PM

I don't think he will Jayne. They do not remember things in that way and if you do it gently and give him a treat afterwards he will remember the treat. I do not think that Baytril tastes very nice so a little juice can help improve it. If he struggles wrap him in a small soft towel and pop the med sort of in the side of the mouth, almost in the cheek to avoid choking. It is hard to do but you are doing great. Chip never held any grudges about the Baytril and was tame and happy afterwards. Stroke and croon him afterwards and he will know you mean to help him. How is he looking now?

**jayne** · 01-10-2008, 11:09 AM

Souffle - thats great advice, thanks. Only thing is, he isnt eating ANYTHING, let alone take a treat

I am doing the talking gently and storking him afterwards so hopefully that will help too.
He isnt looking to good at the moment, just took him out to clean his rear and it looks more messy than it did last night.

Fingers crosse he gets better overnight.....

**Spuds Mum** · 01-10-2008, 11:32 AM

Still sending healing thoughts for the little guy.
when my little hamster Chip had to have an eye op and lots of eye drops etc. I worried too that she would just associate us with that for ever. Everyone on here reassured me she wouldn't - and they were right!
Pepsi probably doesn't feel very good at the moment at all, and so wont even think that what you are doing is not nice - he will be concentrating on conserving his energy, and trying to get better.
It is a serious problem he has, but you are doing everything you can to help him through it, and I'm sure that he appreciates that.

souffle · 01-10-2008, 12:38 PM

I am sorry he does not seem too good. It is terribly hard to pull them through this Jayne and I know you are trying very hard. The trouble is once the bowel is so badly damaged they just can't eat or absorb food. My heart goes out to you. All I can say is that if you know in your heart he cannot take anymore and does not seem able to eat or drink you should give him the last great gift of peaceful rest. I know because I have been there and sat tears dripping on a little one through the night and willing them to get better but sometimes they look at you and you just know. I hope he turns the corner soon. Love to him and hugs to you.