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Old 10-04-2012, 04:55 PM   #1
Akeolo
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Maryland, USA
Posts: 4
Exclamation Lump on Hamster's Neck: Help, Please!

Buddi has developed a strange lump on the side of his head, just below his ear. He's scratched at it and it definitely has puss coming out of it. It looks scabbed over on the top of it, but it wasn't there yesterday when I brought him out. I know of some animal hospitals around me, but don't know if any of them can treat dwarf hamsters. Also, my mom doesn't want me spending much money on vet bills for a hamster. When I try to take a look at him he tries to run away, and I put on gloves just to make sure he can't bite me when I finally catch him. What should I do?
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Old 10-04-2012, 05:10 PM   #2
Emmy2heart
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Default Re: Lump on Hamster's Neck: Help, Please!

First of all, don't panic. I. Sorry to hear about your hamster, but that lump might be a sign of cancer. I'm not positive and don't hold me to it, but rodents get lumps like that very commonly and are signs of cancer and/or tumors. My friend had 2 pet rats who passed away because of this. I would recommend getting it checked out by a vet or hamster expert in person as they can probably give more helpful advice and treatment options for your hamster. If your mom doesn't want you spending money on vet bills, I guess the next best option is to contact an experienced hamster owner, or maybe even a pet store worker. (Not really recommended though.... :/ )
I'm sorry to hear about your hamster and I hope everything turns out okay!
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Old 10-04-2012, 05:14 PM   #3
csockman
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Join Date: Aug 2012
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Default Re: Lump on Hamster's Neck: Help, Please!

As you probably already know, you need to see a vet that has clinical experience with exotics, not just your run of the mill "cats and dogs" vet. Since you are in MD, you have the good fortune of having access to some outstanding vets in this arena:

Lakeside Veterinary Center - Veterinarian In Laurel, MD USA :: Home
Maryland Avian & Exotics Veterinary Care

Do you live anywhere near these two vets? If not, there are others that may be in your area:

AEMV - Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians
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Old 10-05-2012, 03:42 PM   #4
Akeolo
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Maryland, USA
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Default Re: Lump on Hamster's Neck: Help, Please!

Thank you.
I realize it's probably a tumor, but today it looks much better than it did yesterday. However, when my mom touched it, Buddi screamed and ran up my shoulder. I calmed him down and put him back in his cage, not wanting him to be any more stressed out than he already is. Is it possible that this will go away on its own?
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Old 10-05-2012, 05:39 PM   #5
Pouches
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Default Re: Lump on Hamster's Neck: Help, Please!

Tumors aren't usually sensitive to the touch though. It might be an abscess, it is very common for hamsters to get injured and their bodies "wall off" the area of the injury. When that happens the dead cells turn into puss and with no way to escape an abscess is formed. I would suggest keeping a close eye on it for the next couple days, if it starts to cause other problems I would take him to the vet immediately, I don't want to worry you but there are usually only 2 ways that abscesses go away. Either they burst on the surface, or they burst and drain internally. The latter of the 2 usually causes hammie to go into septic shock. Just be prepared to take him to the vet, period! That's your best bet.
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Old 10-12-2012, 03:58 PM   #6
Akeolo
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Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Maryland, USA
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Default Re: Lump on Hamster's Neck: Help, Please!

Thank you everyone for the amazing help.
Buddi is much better and the lump has disappeared completely.
It probably was an abscess, Pouches, and seemed to have burst.
His fur just needs to grow back in the spot and it looks like he'll be all good.
Thanks again to everyone who helped us out, it means a lot!
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