So Scared - Need to talk!

[Catherine Spark]

It's half six in the morning. Life has been going along ok with Willow and me. Recently I've had a cold, and my sister took care of Willow in her room until I felt I was no longer infectious. Then I spent four days in Orkney, during which they looked after her as well - giving me regular updates. They said she was fine - she was taking her food and water and running around, but she had been a little warm, so they had moved her cage to another part of the bedroom.

When I got back and said hello, she seemed glad to see me, poking her head out, but the intuitive alarm bells began ringing when I could see her eyes were a different shape from usual, because they weren't fully open. So I picked her up. Usually she responds vigorously, jumping away, and she did jump away but when I calmed her to pick her up, she seemed slightly less assertive.

So I checked her over, and was horrified to discover caked wetness on her tail. I cleaned her nest corner with pet disinfectant (there didn't seem to be much wetness) and tried to clean her bottom a bit gently with moist wipes. She was eating and drinking normally, she used her litter box, and was up for a bit to get food, but hasn't had her usual run around in the flying saucer (though she has been spontaneously rifling through her bedding). Also, although there is a smell, it's certainly not overpowering or disease-like. If anything, it smells more like on heat - like normal urine, but more pungent.

Also, when she first came out her bed to say hello, she squeaked a couple of times, but hasn't done so since then.

Last night called the emergency vet number for Conan vet's (our usual one here). I told them all this, and that I was worried about wet tail because I knew how quickly things could deteriorate. They said wet tail smells absolutely dreadful, so they didn't think it sounded like that. They said the best thing to do was ring back first thing they opened, which will be 8am today. I checked her again before bed, and there was a little bit of fresh wetness.

Today, I have checked and the wetness has caked dry around her tail area. I haven't seen her out today but I have heard her moving around, and seen her, and she's still alert and responsive. Still a bit of a strong smell, but really not anything overpowering. What's going on? Is this wet tail? If it's not wet tail, what else could cause this? I'm so worried for her! Honestly, as soon as the clock hist 8am I am on the phone to the vet!!

[Catherine Spark]

Well, I've called, waiting to speak to the first person who's free. So hard not to fret about something which is a) in progress and b) now a question of patience!

[racinghamster]

Hi Catherine. Did your sister say if she fed Willow anything that might cause her poo to become watery or runny? If not, then I would suspect wet tail but to be honest, if she`s acting okay and not showing signs of actual illness, it might be a good idea just to keep a close eye on this and make sure she gets dry food only for a few days and add some dry porridge oats to her food (a teaspoonful will be fine).

Edited to add: The wetness could also be female related also and not from her bowel.

[Catherine Spark]

Hi racinghamster - thanks so much for the reply! No, I am as sure as I can be that she was fed nothing but her dry mix with possibly a bonio (normal for her) during the time she was looked after. They took (by their own words) 'very neurotic care of her', as in, made doubly sure to follow instructions to the letter.

Yeah, at the moment the only non-normal things I can see are that she hasn't got her usual 'edge' to her activities, is quieter at night instead of running on the saucer, and has the pooey and strong smelling backside. I've cleaned that off a little with slightly wetted loo paper, and changed her bedding again today, and to be honest the crusting does look a bit better.

Problem is she sleeps and sits hunched over with her head pressed against the cage side as the norm, so I can't go by her posture.

If I were being very paranoid I'd say she's maybe drinking a bit more than usual. No dishcharge when I 'squodge' her (my term for gently squeezing her abdomen to check for discharge release).

Right now, she is only getting dry mix - I can see the advantage of adding the porridge - doesn't it act as a binder? I'll keep a close eye as you say. Have taken the toys out the cage just now as though she will get up sometimes, she's not really using them while she's had the pooey bum.

As for the female related: I was wondering that, as it looked like poo but smelled kinda like very pungent heat (not sure if fishy is what I'd describe it...?), so I just want to be sure it's not pyometra, as that causes bowel problems too, apparently, as well as sometimes a fishy smell. Fingers crossed it's just a little tummy bug!

She is coming down to Glasgow with me tomorrow, so I don't want to stress her out with too much travelling. But f it won't do her any harm, I'd feel good if she could be seen by a vet. What do you think? Just waiting to see if they will call back yet...

[shiny]

Sending you both best wishes, hope the vet can give you some answers

[de4life]

I can't offer any advice on exactly what it is, but I'd definitely suggest getting her to a vet as soon as you can. I hope everything turns out okay.

[Catherine Spark]

Thanks for your support and encouraging words! Well...it's official. Willow has wet tail BUT...now she has baytril, we caught her early, she's eating and drinking, she's getting up and moving around and interacting...Given all that the vet seems to think she should pull through.

Speaking of the vet, the vet was really supportive. Said if Willow wasn't drinking to bring her back so she could get subcutaneous fluids. I really felt that by golly, she wasn't letting Willow go without a fight! I may have been very nervous and not listened or acknowledged the information as well as I could have, but it's a great comfort.

I've cleaned and disinfected her cage, put carefresh in, removed all the toys sprayed the floor around the cage, changed my clothes and washed and sanitized my hands. Fingers crossed now...

[shiny]

So glad you have got a diagnosis & a helpful vet Good luck and get well wishes to Willow from me & Teddy and Monty the hamsters

[jesselle]

get well soon willow, wonton, emi and kiwi are rooting for a full recovery

[Catherine Spark]

*Feeble hamster wave* "Thanks all! I am resting up with a warm water bottle under my nest as it's not quite so warm today as it has been. Not got much appetite and just feel like curling up in bed and sleeping for now so will talk to y'all later "