Cheeto Has Pyometra

[AliKati]

I'm so sorry about the news. But she's a strong, feisty thing and I know she'll be brave and fight it. Sending her lots of love and good wishes. x

[gutterglitterxx]

Thanks everyone. I appreciate the kind words and I'm sure Cheeto does too.

I'm so confused because from everything I'm reading, it sounds like a losing battle. But the vet made it sound like there is still hope for her. She doesn't seem to be in any discomfort at all but I know they're good at hiding it. She is still playing, eating, and running just fine so it's hard to wrap my brain around how bad this might be.

Do I need to be prepared for the worst?

I have to admit that I'm not familiar with this situation at all. I listened to the vet who was hopeful but now I'm reading that there absolutely is no cure other than spaying.

[shiny]

Sorry to hear about lovely Cheeto

You must go with what you feel. Not every ham is a candidate for surgery depending on age, health etc but do have a chat with your vet if you're interested in looking at this option & then at least you're making an informed choice. Has your vet done a hamster spay before? If not, then ask one who has.

So glad to hear she is active & happy, she's a fighter

[gutterglitterxx]

Originally Posted by shiny

Sorry to hear about lovely Cheeto

You must go with what you feel. Not every ham is a candidate for surgery depending on age, health etc but do have a chat with your vet if you're interested in looking at this option & then at least you're making an informed choice. Has your vet done a hamster spay before? If not, then ask one who has.

So glad to hear she is active & happy, she's a fighter

I did speak with the vet about it and he has done it before but he said he really wouldn't recommend it for her. He said that since she's older it is a very difficult procedure as the uterus becomes more vascular and wrapped up within her body. He said that it would be very hard for her to come out of it well.

[csockman]

I am so sorry to hear about Cheeto

From what you are saying, your DVM sounds very capable. How old is Cheeto? To outline a success story, a friend's diabetic, half-blind Campbell's dwarf underwent a spay at 18 months to remove a diseased ovary. At 20 months she is still active and running in her wheel, living the hamster dream. She came through surgery brilliantly thanks to the capable hands of the vet and the appropriate use of surgical tools and post-surgery recovery tools/care. Some practices invest in the tools and equipment and some don't (or can't!). It also helps to adopt a pre-surgery regimen by increasing Vitamin K (Kale lettuce for example) to help with blood clotting.

The decision you make will be the right one IMHO and don’t second guess yourself. I hope she has many more happy months with you, guttergirl.

[gutterglitterxx]

Originally Posted by csockman

I am so sorry to hear about Cheeto

From what you are saying, your DVM sounds very capable. How old is Cheeto? To outline a success story, a friend's diabetic, half-blind Campbell's dwarf underwent a spay at 18 months to remove a diseased ovary. At 20 months she is still active and running in her wheel, living the hamster dream. She came through surgery brilliantly thanks to the capable hands of the vet and the appropriate use of surgical tools and post-surgery recovery tools/care. Some practices invest in the tools and equipment and some don't (or can't!). It also helps to adopt a pre-surgery regimen by increasing Vitamin K (Kale lettuce for example) to help with blood clotting.

The decision you make will be the right one IMHO and don’t second guess yourself. I hope she has many more happy months with you, guttergirl.

She is approximately 16 months. So not young, but I suppose not terribly old. The vet seemed very knowledgeable and even mentioned how he used to operate fairly often on baby rats. So I have a lot of confidence in his abilities but he just didn't seem too enthused to operate on my girl. He also mentioned that it would be very expensive. Now I'm not totally sure what "very" means but I can admit that I am nowhere near rich.

Thank you for your kind words. I hope she still has many months in her too. I have loved and do love all my hammies but Cheeto is very, very, very special to me. Sometimes you just have a certain connection to an animal that is deeper than others, and for me that is definitely the case.

[ANGELBABIES]

Lets all keep thinking and sending postitive vibes that the antibiotics work and make Cheeto well. Thoughts and prayers are with you both, keep us updated please xx

[gutterglitterxx]

Poor Cheeto is very much not a fan of the Baytril.

In the past she has been really good about taking meds when necessary but she is really fighting me on this stuff. It breaks my heart to force her to take it. She is supposed to take .8ml twice a day. Is there a less stressful method of administering the meds?

I'm having such déjà vu of a little over a year ago, with Fluffy. She became quite ill and I had to give her meds that she hated. I struggled with it and 5 days after the meds were first prescribed, she passed. I am absolutely terrified that Cheeto is going to suffer a similar fate.

[jesselle]

Can you add the baytril to some fresh food? I have to lace brocolli with Emi's meds right now, he turns his nose up sometimes but he eats it eventually.

A grape might hold all of that baytril?

[shiny]

I have been making a sandwich of piece of food underneath, meds in the middle & a dab of baby puree on top for my guinea Pip recently. His medication is a powder though so it's a little easier. You could try hiding it in food but as it's very strong tasting, I'll bet she's suspicious. ..they're pretty hard to fool! You could mix it with a bit of baby puree in a syringe or on a dish maybe? I gave Pip's meds this morning in a rolled up kale leaf, it's worth a go - the baytril fight is awful

Hope you find a way that works for you & Cheeto xx