Syrian emergency

[MismatchedMongrel]

Hi everyone! I took my oldest ham, Einstein to the vet this morning because last night I didn't see him running on his wheel the last few days (and this is a ham that will go for seven hours a night, consistently). I picked im up and noticed several things:
a. his left eye seemed either swollen or bulgy, the fur is thin around it and its watery.
b. he's got blood in his urine.
He's a half-feral rescue and hes got to be almost three years old.
But anyway, we went to the vet's this morning (I just got back). The vet is a bit suspicious of it. She says with his age it might be cancer.
But he's still eating and getting around okay (still lethargic). I asked if it would be worth giving him a chance, because I didnt' want to push him for no reason or make him suffer.
She said its worth a try so we left with vibramycin and some eye drops.. neopolydex.
Does anyone have any insight into this? He's eating the fruit and veggies out of his food every night so that's what I put in there.
Insight would be great.. I"m really worried about him.

[souffle]

He sounds like he is quite a wonderful old man and his time may be drawing near.
If he seems to still be doing hamstery things and toddling around and eating then I personally would let him enjoy his twilight times and spoil him. Try the meds and drops and see how the little man does but be watchful in case he takes a sudden turn for the worse and be ready in case he needs help to take his last steps to the bridge.
I hope he has some comfy times left to share with you x

[Lougarry]

Blood in urine could be any number of things, including cancer, but also kidney problems etc.

I found this on another forum:
Eye (Swollen, Closed)

Symptoms: One or both eyes remaining shut even when hamster is awake. Matted or messy fur near eye as a result of watery eye. 'Crusty eyes' - Visible foreign deposits on slit of eyelids. Related problems: Conjunctivtis (Reddish or pinkish colour on eye not present previously), Respiratory problem (Refer to [R] Respiratory/Breathing).

Causes: Infection or irritation caused by dirty environment (for example, dirty cage or bedding). Ensure pine or cedar bedding is not used. Closed or swollen eye sometimes comes together with respiratory infection.

Remedy: Obtain Bausch and Lomb soothing eye wash (obtainable from local pharmacy) and let 1 or 2 drops fall directly on the eye using the spout. Let your hamster rub it in himself (he will!). Repeat twice daily. Alternatively, wash the hamster's eye with this home-made remedy: Add one teaspoon of boric acid to half a cup of boiled and cooled down water. Using an eye dropper, bathe the eye 2 or 3 times a day with it.

Listed ingredients in the Bausch and Lomb soothing eye wash are:
boric acid, sodium borate and sodium chloride; preserved with sorbic acid (0.1%) and edetate disodium (0.025%) with the boric acid being the active ingredient.

If the eye does not show any signs of recovery in 2-3 days, consult a vet as a more serious health issue could be present. Sometimes an impacted cheekpouch can cause watering/closed eyes, as can overgrown teeth.

If your hamster's eye is swollen but not watering or sticky, there have been corneal ulcers, and ingrown eyelashes (called "entropion") reported in this site. These conditions can easily be mis-diagnosed as a simple infection by a vet.

There are websites on which you can pay for a vet to answer your query if you want a second opinion from a specialist.

[MismatchedMongrel]

Originally Posted by Lougarry

Blood in urine could be any number of things, including cancer, but also kidney problems etc.

I found this on another forum:
Eye (Swollen, Closed)

Symptoms: One or both eyes remaining shut even when hamster is awake. Matted or messy fur near eye as a result of watery eye. 'Crusty eyes' - Visible foreign deposits on slit of eyelids. Related problems: Conjunctivtis (Reddish or pinkish colour on eye not present previously), Respiratory problem (Refer to [R] Respiratory/Breathing).

Causes: Infection or irritation caused by dirty environment (for example, dirty cage or bedding). Ensure pine or cedar bedding is not used. Closed or swollen eye sometimes comes together with respiratory infection.

Remedy: Obtain Bausch and Lomb soothing eye wash (obtainable from local pharmacy) and let 1 or 2 drops fall directly on the eye using the spout. Let your hamster rub it in himself (he will!). Repeat twice daily. Alternatively, wash the hamster's eye with this home-made remedy: Add one teaspoon of boric acid to half a cup of boiled and cooled down water. Using an eye dropper, bathe the eye 2 or 3 times a day with it.

Listed ingredients in the Bausch and Lomb soothing eye wash are:
boric acid, sodium borate and sodium chloride; preserved with sorbic acid (0.1%) and edetate disodium (0.025%) with the boric acid being the active ingredient.

If the eye does not show any signs of recovery in 2-3 days, consult a vet as a more serious health issue could be present. Sometimes an impacted cheekpouch can cause watering/closed eyes, as can overgrown teeth.

If your hamster's eye is swollen but not watering or sticky, there have been corneal ulcers, and ingrown eyelashes (called "entropion") reported in this site. These conditions can easily be mis-diagnosed as a simple infection by a vet.

There are websites on which you can pay for a vet to answer your query if you want a second opinion from a specialist.

Thanks for the insight! The vet gave me neopolydex, I want to try that first. I am hoping he 's still eating, I tried to give him some veggies and stuff and he went to eat it.. I hope he's not too weak to ._.

[Lougarry]

Just one more (possibly completely off-the-wall thought), I remember once being told that non-specific urethritis in men (and UTIs can often result in haematuria) can be linked with conjunctivitis. I wonder if it's the same for man-hams?

[MismatchedMongrel]

Originally Posted by Lougarry

Just one more (possibly completely off-the-wall thought), I remember once being told that non-specific urethritis in men (and UTIs can often result in haematuria) can be linked with conjunctivitis. I wonder if it's the same for man-hams?

Conjunctivitis was actually my first thought. I have delt with it a dozen times with cats etc. and there is always a discharge... the antibiotics he is on will help if it is conjuctivitis... as will the neopolydex.

[Lynternette]

I can't help with treatment but would like to sent Einstein a big kiss and hope. he gets well soon.

[Pompompoms]

There is some fantastic advice there, I just want to wish Einstein well and send him a gentle aquish from all of us. He's lived till a great age, and it really is so hard to chose that right moment if they will need helping to the bridge. Cherish every day with him, and I'm hoping to hear he's still enjoying his retirement for a while yet xx

[MismatchedMongrel]

Einstein passed, thanks everyone. I have two sweet little girls in his old cage :3. they are WICKED cute.

[Lougarry]

So sorry to hear of Einstein's passing. Sleep well, little man xx