General old age or something more? - Page 2

acapae · 02-29-2012, 08:25 AM

Annnd, she's back

Laura-vet was only working a half day, so I saw Steve-vet instead. He gave her a really thorough prod and basically agrees with what was suggested to me above. To clarify, I asked him for his opinion first, rather than leading. He suspects it's a neuro problem, possibly inflamation or something getting trapped. He couldn't feel a tumour, but obviously that doesn't rule them out based on location - but given her symptoms he feels something nerve-based is most likely.

She's still bright in herself, so rather than calling it a day now, she's on steroids (1/5 preds once a day) until after I get back from my weekend away. And I'll see how she is then.

**kyrilliondaemon** · 02-29-2012, 08:40 AM

I'm glad there's a possible solution, and I hope the steroids help

acapae · 02-29-2012, 11:16 AM

Me too, thank you for your well-wishes, I'll pass them on to her! Don't get me wrong, I don't think her chances are particularly good. But I'm glad we've got more of an idea of what could be wrong and and are giving something a try.

acapae · 02-29-2012, 05:45 PM

She's moved beds again. She doesn't do moving beds.
*worries*

acapae · 02-29-2012, 07:42 PM

I've decided I'm phoning Steve-vet in the morning, regardless of response to steroids

**kyrilliondaemon** · 02-29-2012, 08:08 PM

Yikes, good luck

I hope its nothing too worrying.

acapae · 02-29-2012, 08:57 PM

Nothing's really changed, but while earlier I wanted to try things, now I don't. The steroids have given me time to make a rational decision, rather than buying her more time. But I'm glad I was given the time to come to terms with things pre-death than have her life end as a rushed job.

She may stabilise, or potentially improve a bit. However it's an end-of-life condition, so all I'd really be doing is managing her decline. She can't be cured, and there's likely to be suffering to come. I'd rather have her pts while she's in relatively good spirits than wait until her mind catches up with her body.

I've been pretty much crying for 9hrs solid tonight.
I feel fragile, if not broken already.
But I've regained rationality, and feel relatively calm now that a decision has been made.

acapae · 03-01-2012, 08:49 AM

Hamstar no more

essentiallysue · 03-01-2012, 10:21 AM

I am so sorry. I have been reading this all along. You did your best for her! I could just see you taking her to the vet on your bike when you had a train to catch! At least she is suffering no more. I have had to have a dying hamster put to sleep and it is always hard.