0lder hamster with bloated stomach?

BeautifulOblivion409 · 05-12-2012, 01:36 PM

Hi there, I have a 2 year old syrian male hamster that has had health issues recently. He has a tumor on one of his arms and the vet said all I could do for him is give him pain medicine that they gave me, which i do daily. Now I have noticed he seems chunkier, at first I thought this was because he had been lazy now that he is older, but feeling his stomach it feels bloated.

I don't notice any discoloring or anything like that, and showing a picture of it doesn't really show what I am feeling, basically his stomach feels balloony, and bloated. What can I do? Is it time for me to have him put down?

I can't contact the vet until monday

Angelhamster · 05-12-2012, 02:00 PM

I'm sorry to hear this and even worse, don't have any advice to give

. Does he seem in pain? Is he eating and drinking? Is he behaving like his normal self? That info might help someone help you. I hope this bumps your thread before it falls off the front page. Wishing you both the best

samzyzg · 05-12-2012, 02:15 PM

Sorry i don't have anything to offer either.. Just hoping to bump the thread as well so someone who can help may see it easier.

souffle · 05-12-2012, 02:17 PM

It would be quite likely that he has a secondary tumour in his abdomen now and this could be affecting digestion and or fluid drainage causing the bloating.
Is he pooing and peeing OK? I would watch him closely and if he seems happy enough and doing normal hamstery things then wait till Monday to see the vet.
We had a hamster with an abdominal tumour who we took to the vet who told us to bring him back when we felt he was not enjoying life anymore. It is important to recognise this point but hamsters can live a good long while with a tumour if it does not affect any of the other organs.
I hope he stays comfy for a while longer.

BeautifulOblivion409 · 05-12-2012, 02:24 PM

He is eating and drinking normal, and his pee and poo seem normal too. He doesn't play in his wheel anymore but I assume that is because of his arm. What if his stomach gets bigger? should i be concerned?

Lynternette · 05-13-2012, 02:45 AM

We've been in a similar situation with our Conan. He's two and a half. He had a huge tumour in his stomach area. He seemed twice the hammie he was. He ate and drank normally and didn't seem to be in any pain. He slept a lot which was expected for his age. The vet said he was fine except for the tumour. He said it was cancer and like you we could take him home to look after until it was time to put him to sleep. Two weeks ago the tumour disappeared over night. He's now acting half his age, in looks and what he does. I'm not for one minute saying the vet isn't right but sometimes miracles do happen. xxx

Jo05 · 05-13-2012, 03:00 AM

so sorry to hear about your hamster, one of mine displayed just these symptoms, infact her stomach got so distended that i though she would burst

, yet despite this and being an old hammy at 26 months, she was still very well in herself, so the vet thought it worth operating to try to save her, she was found to have a huge fluid filled lump on her liver, which actually burst when she was removing it, remarkbly she survived the op and went on to live a couple more months. Fingers crossed your hammy gets better x

Angelhamster · 05-14-2012, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jo05

so sorry to hear about your hamster, one of mine displayed just these symptoms, infact her stomach got so distended that i though she would burst

, yet despite this and being an old hammy at 26 months, she was still very well in herself, so the vet thought it worth operating to try to save her, she was found to have a huge fluid filled lump on her liver, which actually burst when she was removing it, remarkbly she survived the op and went on to live a couple more months. Fingers crossed your hammy gets better x

That's a lovely outcome. Hoping for the same in this situation

**Pompompoms** · 05-14-2012, 06:23 AM

This was the same thing that happened with my George, but it was only right at the end when his tumor was golf ball size sticking out the side. he was also very clearly unwell and sleeping most of the time. He was also going purple on his stomach. It was kinder to have him PTS in the end.

I really hope is goes well at the vet today, and if your ham is well in himself he is able to enjoy his retirement with you a little longer yet