Conker - Chest Infection is back :-( - UPDATE - Page 2

SnuggleHam · 01-24-2007, 11:29 AM

Glad you got conker in so fast. I hope that things go well and she recovers smoothly.

Intense125 · 01-24-2007, 11:44 AM

My Macy was treated for a respiratory infection with antibiotics in October 2006, and her main symptom was squeaking (like a squeaky toy, like you mentioned). Things seemed to clear up in about 3 week's time, but she started gaining weight and getting sluggish in December 2006. We took her to the vet when we noticed tumor-like formations on both sides of her abdomen, and she was diagnosed with an advanced pyometra infection of the uterus (thus, the protrusions on both sides of her body...the uterus is V-shaped in a female ham). The reason I'm telling you about this is because my vet said that somehow this pyometra infection can first present as a respiratory infection, and I also later found a medical reference that linked the 2. You may want to mention this to your vet, especially if you notice weight gain or an enlarging abdominal area in Conker.

I hope she responds nicely and quickly to her treatment, and keep us posted!!

souffle · 01-24-2007, 12:32 PM

Yes get well soon Conker. We keep baby food in a sealed jar for no longer than 36 hrs in the fridge once opened. You can heat it a tiny bit if it is too cold straight out the fridge. Intense is right , pyometra can be contracted through a respiratory infection so watch her closely. We are all rooting for her.

racinghamster · 01-24-2007, 12:38 PM

I know Pyometra in female rats is linked to Mycoplasma Pulmonis bacteria as I mentioned previously, but in hamsters I don`t know. It mainly exists in a rats upper respiratory system (as in mice too). It remains subclinical (no symptoms apparent) unless the immune system is immunosuppressed by illness or drug therapy. This is when secondary infections such as Pasteurella can occur (again, another opportunistic pathogen) that can cause conjunctivitis and other symptoms, aswell as respiratory.

My next mission is to do some research on respiratory problems in hamsters and how best to treat them, although many vets will only prescribe baytril (enrofloxacin) as it`s all they seem to be able to use in rodents, unless they have other ideas!

Cuddles to Conker suga and I hope you see an improvement within a few days. I would keep her on Baytril for at least, two weeks and see your vet again before it runs out incase she needs to be on it longer. Especially if you see an improvement. Stopping too soon could cause a relapse.

suga · 01-25-2007, 12:52 AM

Well she didn't take the baytril mixed in "rice pudding" baby food. We went back to the syringe method and she hates me once again. She is making quite a bit of noise but is sleeping at the moment. I've changed everything over again and oh will be keeping an eye on her during the day.

thanks guys - will update again but must get ready for work now...

suga · 01-28-2007, 11:38 AM

Its now sunday evening. I have tried loads of different foods and liquids to disguise the meds in but to no avail. So syringe method it is and it seems to be helping. She has not been coughing so much today and I therefore cleaned her out. She remade her nest quite quickly and it didn't seem to making her cough or wheeze any extra. So I think she is improving some :)

When I was transfering her from cage to box whilst she was being cleaned she decided to take mouth my thumb knuckle. I was very surprised as she's not done it before. I don't know why she did it, I don't think I smelt of food or whether she just recognised my hand as the one with the syringe normally in it and decided to remind me that she wasn't enjoying the meds. She didn't draw blood and it didn't really hurt, just surprised me. :?

Weird eh??

SnuggleHam · 01-28-2007, 12:33 PM

I'm glad that your ham seems to be doing better

thanks for the update, and be sure to keep us posted further!

Not sure what you mean by "she decided to take mouth my thumb knuckle" though?

souffle · 01-28-2007, 12:50 PM

Glad she is improving. Sometimes when they dont feel quite right they might nip. Im sure she didn't mean it badly.

Hana · 01-28-2007, 01:18 PM

Glad she is on the mend! Hope things continue to be good

suga · 01-29-2007, 12:36 AM

Not sure what you mean by "she decided to take mouth my thumb knuckle" though?

I can only really explain it as she was sitting in my hand with her head on the top part of my hand (if you hold your hand out vertically in front of you with your thumb on top) she kinda opened her mouth and wrapped it round the top part of my thumb - bit like a baby might mouth its fist when hungry....... weird - (you are doing the vertical hand thing aren't you?) LOL LOL LOL