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Old 12-12-2012, 05:16 PM   #1
HarryLucy
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Default Swollen Tummy :(

Noticed yesterday that my roughly 6 month old syrian girl is feeling quite thin, but her tummy is very obviously swollen and feels hard and slightly lumpy. Have had a pregnant hamster before and she doesn't feel pregnant (we've also had her in her own cage for too long for her to have gotten pregnant in the pet shop). Really worried about her, other sites are suggesting she may be constipated? What can I do? Should I take her to the vet? Please reply fast im worried about her!
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Old 12-12-2012, 05:36 PM   #2
kyrilliondaemon
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

Yes, see the vet. And whatever you do - do not treat for constipation based on what the internet says. Please.
I've heard what the internet says before, and it was not what we had to do for a hamster with constipation.

Constipation in hamsters is very, very rare though, so unfortunately you may be facing a different health problem.
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Old 12-12-2012, 05:40 PM   #3
HarryLucy
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

Ok, thankyou so much for your advice! Ill make an appointment tomorrow...
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Old 12-12-2012, 05:42 PM   #4
kyrilliondaemon
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

Good luck with the vet
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Old 12-12-2012, 05:43 PM   #5
csockman
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

kyrilliondaemon is correct as usual. In case you don't already have access to an exotics capable vet, I always try to make these links available to people to assist them in their search. The first link is your best bet as it is a global listing of vets that have shown an interest in exotic mammal medicine:

AEMV - Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians - Select state in the drop-down list and click "Get Vets"
RMCA Veterinarian Listings - Log in using the guest credentials provided and search by state
the Rat Report - Long list sorted by state
Directory Of Veterinarians For Exotic Small Mammals, Critters USA magazine - Long list sorted by state
ABVP ? American Board of Veterinary Practitioners - Select Exotic Companion Mammal
Exotics Veterinarian in the U.K. - Ailments & Injuries - Hamster Hideout Forum - U.K. list
Good vets finder - U.K. list
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Old 12-13-2012, 05:22 AM   #6
shiny
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

Absolutely a vet visit; it is extremely difficult & unwise to diagnose via the internet even if it seems your animal has symptoms similar to those described by somebody else, you could do more harm than good sadly.

A good exotics vet will have years of experience & training behind them & that's what you pay for when you see them.

Sending best wishes to you & you hamster, let us know how you get on.
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Old 12-13-2012, 09:13 AM   #7
HarryLucy
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

Okay thankyou! I made an appointment (which is in 10 minutes!) with our local vet who have experience with hamsters and have been very good with the 21(!) hamsters ive had in the past thanks for all your advice and ill let you know how it goes x
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Old 12-13-2012, 09:56 AM   #8
HarryLucy
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

Just got back from the vet! She felt her stomach, listened to her heart, and weighed her (shes 55g). She says that the skinny spine and swollen tummy are never good symptoms, but she looks well looked after and is very bright and active, so she sees no reason to 'help her on her way' yet, as animals often don't even know they're seriously ill until the very end. She says it could be a liver condition (which is eventually fatal but can be controlled with a high protein diet), fluid in the abdomen (again fatal, but she still has a little while), a tumour (once again fatal, but has a while left) or cystic ovaries, (which isnt fatal (yay!) wont go away, but she wont notice either). The vet said she could do scans and stuff, but since hamsters are so small, its unlikely that they could do anything about it even when it's been diagnosed. So for now, Wotsit is looking well, and will be eating lots of nuts, peanut butter and egg whites (for high protein), and hoping for cystic ovaries Although this was obviously not a good diagnosis, im surprisingly happy as I went in fearing the worst. Thanks for all your help guys! Ill keep you updated
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Old 12-13-2012, 10:09 AM   #9
kyrilliondaemon
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

Good luck with her
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Old 12-13-2012, 10:09 AM   #10
HarryLucy
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Default Re: Swollen Tummy :(

Thanks!
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