Meet Ghost-The Ghost Files

[Rads]

03.15am, gave Ghost a Hamster Sponge Bath and dried him off to remove all the dried urine he had on his underside, also cleaned out his nest area and dried that out and redistributed his substrate etc, he wasn't impressed. I even wrapped him in a towel and popped him in his carrier while I sorted his cage and nest area, I got glared at and all he wanted was out.
I even tried him with a little of his favourite whipped yoghurt and he didn't want that either, he has gone back to his bunker bed and will have to do a nest rebuild but at least it is clean and dry and not damp wit wee and discarded food debris.

[Coco61]

Ghost doesn't sound quite himself. Perhaps he will feel the urge to rebuild his hoard as well to show he is still interested in his food. Fingers crossed Rads.

[Rads]

Originally Posted by Coco61

Ghost doesn't sound quite himself. Perhaps he will feel the urge to rebuild his hoard as well to show he is still interested in his food. Fingers crossed Rads.

I was quite hopeful as he took some banana from me this morning and then some apple late afternoon, but I got him out before I went to work tonight and he is again all matted belly fur I am wondering if he is getting wet tail but there is no smell etc so when I get home late about 02.00am I will clean him up again and swap out his bedding etc and then get him to the vets on Saturday.

[Pebbles82]

So sorry he's not himself. Fingers crossed all goes ok at the vets.

[Rads]

So Ghost being Ghost decided to eat all his food last night..! He is an awkward cuss at times, but I still had to give him a Hamster sponge bath as he was all messy again on his under side.

Now for the sad part, Ghost has been diagnosed with an abdominal Tumour/Mass/Growth/Cancer delete as you see fit, it is between his spleen and stomach the vet said that as he was still a happy Ham and very bright eyed and still using me as a climbing frame he climbed up me and sat on my shoulder to look at the vet that he still had some good times ahead of him , but he will be receiving Palliative care from now on, I have made some changes to his cage so it is easier for him etc.
He is also a little scabby/dry skin around his scent glands which the vet puts down to hormonal changes probably due to the cancer also he is going slightly thin in the fur dept on his back, again this is likely to be due to the same hormonal changes.
I have some pics to download from my phone so will get that done and post them up as haven't done that for a while.
It is only writing this that I now feel somewhat saddened as this will be the second Hammy of ours that has had cancer..

[Coco61]

My goodness Rads, that was unexpected. Just as well you took him to a good vet even with that outcome. Now you are moving to palliative care, Ghost will have the best possible time left with you. Mocho lived to be 2 and half with Cushings and Jeeves died at only 4 months with an abdominal growth / swelling during the night before his vet visit. The little furries are gone all too quickly. Ghost, like Pip, has been quite a character in a very different way.
Look forward to seeing the photos.

[Pebbles82]

I am so sorry to hear Ghost has that diagnosis. I have a similar issue with Nugget who has tummy growths. I am not certain whether his are benign or malignant but they affect his mobility and he is on Metacam daily. How did your vet diagnose if you don’t mind me asking? Did they do an X-ray?

It is so sad to hear this kind of news but we help them live their lives as long as they are with us. Ghost doesn’t know and he seems happy.

[flowerfairy]

Sorry to read about Ghost's health problems. Thank goodness that he has a kind attentive person to look after him. Glad he ate well. What a worry they can be.

[Rads]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I am so sorry to hear Ghost has that diagnosis. I have a similar issue with Nugget who has tummy growths. I am not certain whether his are benign or malignant but they affect his mobility and he is on Metacam daily. How did your vet diagnose if you don’t mind me asking? Did they do an X-ray?

It is so sad to hear this kind of news but we help them live their lives as long as they are with us. Ghost doesn’t know and he seems happy.

Serendipity,
The vet found the growth by feeling his abdomen, it is between his spleen and his stomach, she showed me how and I could feel it aswell, it is the size of a marble or small walnut, so I will make him comfy and see how things go, I have put everything on one level for minimum effort for him, I have no idea how long we will have with him, but should he be distressed and in pain then we will help him out and have him pts as I will not have him in pain and distress.

[Rads]

Originally Posted by Coco61

My goodness Rads, that was unexpected. Just as well you took him to a good vet even with that outcome. Now you are moving to palliative care, Ghost will have the best possible time left with you. Mocho lived to be 2 and half with Cushings and Jeeves died at only 4 months with an abdominal growth / swelling during the night before his vet visit. The little furries are gone all too quickly. Ghost, like Pip, has been quite a character in a very different way.
Look forward to seeing the photos.

Coco,
Yes I was quite surprised when the vet told me and showed me how to feel for the growth my self.
I have moved everything to one level so he doesn't have to climb or do anything strenuous, when I check on him and he wakes slightly he looks so utterly pitiful.
As you say Ghost has been quite a different character to the Diva Pip, Ghost has always been a very independent little fellow who didn't strive for attention , he was always happy to do his own thing, but when he was out roaming he always liked to use me as a climbing frame as he did today at the vets, she laughed when he climbed up me and then sat on my shoulder having a wash and watching her..!