Cheeto Has Pyometra

[jesselle]

good ideas there shiny! you certainly have to get creative, emi started turning his nose up at baytril the last time he was on it, i think it probably tastes quite horrible.

what about lacing grapes, blueberries, strawberries, cucumber? smothered with some baby food?

[evel_lin]

aw bless her, hope the meds work quickly

[shiny]

Blueberries are a good idea Jeselle - not tried them on hammies but the guineas love them. Occasional treat only for the guineas though. I'm having to get creative because Pip is getting suspicious, he won't fall for meds on red pepper or cucumber now... variety is the way forward I think!

[csockman]

Poor little Cheeto, Baytril is not the best tasting medicine...

Can you double check the dosing amount - .8mL seems like an awful lot. Maybe it is .08mL twice a day?

If you continue to have problems administering the meds, have your vet look in to having it compounded with a flavoring. We did this for our hams... vanilla butternut mixed with Baytril made for an enjoyable medicine time. No hand holding, etc., they willingly took it out of the syringe.

I exclusively used this pharamcy: RoadRunner Pharmacy | Arizona, Phoenix, Veterinary, Compounding. They are in AZ and I am in OH - they could overnight the meds for a $10 charge. I am positive that there are probably closer veterinary compounding pharmacies to you in your beautiful city though.

Regarding spay cost, if I remember correctly it was $350, and this was for a vet in Central New Jersey.

[souffle]

I'm sorry to hear that Cheeto is unwell.
The dosage sounds like an awful lot of Baytril. Has it been prediluted? Did the vet say 0.8ml in 100ml drinking water? If is was meant to be diluted in water he will have factored in how much she would be expected to drink. I would maybe check this. Getting her to take 0.1ml would be very much easier than .8 for you as it would be quick to pop that in an out her mouth!
There is no easier way really especially if they will not eat much and Baytril tastes foul and they know it. We have always found the very speedy scruff, in with the meds and out in 10 secs works best for us. Make sure her body is supported in your hand while you scruff. Don't dither so she has no change to sense what you are doing and give a treat right away.
In the UK some people have had success with the drug Galastop alongside the antibiotic and this can keep the pyo at bay for a reasonable length of time and the hammy comfortable. It may be worth asking about this? Vectis has used this with a hamster who was unsuitable for a spay.
I hope she stays comfy and happy for a while yet. She sounds strong just now giving you time to think which the meds hopefully give some remission.

[Arraminta]

Hello...

Still sending positive vibes and huge hammy hugs to you and Cheeto..

My opinion on surgery (if it was my hamster) if there was nothing left and nothing else they could do I would have the surgery simply giving a small chance..

I have fund in the past (I use this on my tortoises as well) is to get a piece of cucumber (the really juicy bit (a small square with a couple on the side)... Dab one chunk with kitchen towel pressing to remove some of the moisture... Then drop the meds onto that bit and it will soak up the meds... Then give it to hammy and if she scoffs it (its a very small bit) giver her another bit (without meds)...

Hope it helps and again we are all willing positive things for you and Cheeto

Xxx Arraminta

[Jodzie04]

Oh Cheeto =( She really has had more than her fair share with her poorly finger etc
How old is she?
I really hope she reacts well to baytril !
Just to add, my Wispa had a second OP to remove a lump, she is 15 months old and is wound all healed up after a wee k or so. They are fast healers x

[HammieandMerlin]

I have no helpful advice, I just want to tell you how sorry I am, and I hope she pulls through <3

[gutterglitterxx]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to try and make a run to the grocery store this afternoon and grab some provisions. I want to make this whole thing as painless as possible for her. She's such a little angel and so incredibly sweet, I can't stand torturing her.

The dosage is, in fact, .08ml twice a day. Sorry about that. A typo on my part when writing the post last night. My mind is definitely elsewhere.

To those who asked how old she is, she is a little over 16 months.

csockman- Thank you for that information. If I have no luck with some of the food suggestions, I will definitely consider something like this.

Again, thank you for all your kind words. We are not giving up without some sort of fight. I'm just not sure about the spaying option. The vet seemed very hesitant to suggest it and given my current finances, if I were to go through with it and lost her anyway.... Well, that would be terrible. Many things to think about.

[StuCil]

Still sending Cheeto good vibes! Hope everything works out well and any decision you make will be the best.