Hamster Central - View Single Post - Should I take my dying hamster to the vet?

julibean · 02-06-2023, 09:24 AM

Hello all,
My beautiful boy Gilbert is a Roborovski Dwarf Hamster that is approximately 2 years and 4 months old and has a rapidly growing growth on his tummy. He is still his cheeky usual self while he is drinking, eating and running around happily. However, I can tell that he is experiencing some discomfort. He cannot climb things like he usually would and he is scratching very often. I think the stretched-out skin must be very itchy for him...

After I've seen the tumour, I genuinely believe that there is no way back from this... Ideally, I would like him to stay at home until his quality of life declines for me to take him to the vet to get him out of his misery. Up until that point, I would like him to be as comfortable as possible. I called my vet today, asking if I could perhaps get something prescribed for his itching and maybe something for pain in case he is feeling any, to make things easier on him a bit. However, they are refusing to help unless we take him in for a visit....

His tumour has more than doubled within the last week (there was nothing before and suddenly there is a HUGE bulge covering all of his stomach and abdomen). With the speed of this, I don't think he will be around until the end of the week.

I am not too sure what to do at the moment, as I truly don't want him to suffer. However, he has never really liked people, so handling is really stressful for him.

Do you think, it is worth me taking him to vets and putting him under all this stress to help him maybe for a few days? Or do you believe it is best to leave him be and just spoil him with treats all we can?

I feel like such a terrible hamster mum for asking this... I just feel so helpless right now and I want to do what's best for him... He may not care for me much, in fact, I am certain he would exchange me for a piece of a carrot had he got the chance, but I do love him deeply...

02-06-2023, 09:24 AM
julibean Newborn Pup Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 2	Should I take my dying hamster to the vet? Hello all, My beautiful boy Gilbert is a Roborovski Dwarf Hamster that is approximately 2 years and 4 months old and has a rapidly growing growth on his tummy. He is still his cheeky usual self while he is drinking, eating and running around happily. However, I can tell that he is experiencing some discomfort. He cannot climb things like he usually would and he is scratching very often. I think the stretched-out skin must be very itchy for him... After I've seen the tumour, I genuinely believe that there is no way back from this... Ideally, I would like him to stay at home until his quality of life declines for me to take him to the vet to get him out of his misery. Up until that point, I would like him to be as comfortable as possible. I called my vet today, asking if I could perhaps get something prescribed for his itching and maybe something for pain in case he is feeling any, to make things easier on him a bit. However, they are refusing to help unless we take him in for a visit.... His tumour has more than doubled within the last week (there was nothing before and suddenly there is a HUGE bulge covering all of his stomach and abdomen). With the speed of this, I don't think he will be around until the end of the week. I am not too sure what to do at the moment, as I truly don't want him to suffer. However, he has never really liked people, so handling is really stressful for him. Do you think, it is worth me taking him to vets and putting him under all this stress to help him maybe for a few days? Or do you believe it is best to leave him be and just spoil him with treats all we can? I feel like such a terrible hamster mum for asking this... I just feel so helpless right now and I want to do what's best for him... He may not care for me much, in fact, I am certain he would exchange me for a piece of a carrot had he got the chance, but I do love him deeply...