Paddy has a tumour

[SnuggleHam]

I’m not sure if this helps ate this point.. But have you tried calling around to see what vets charge different prices? Also I find than city vets are always way over priced, you may want to look traveling a bit further to see a vet out in the country or a smaller town. So maybe you should call around for different quotes.

[i-love-paddy]

I'm only in a small town anyway...



I did go to the PDSA to get a second opinion. They said it is either a kidney tumour or a very bad kidney infection. He is on antibiotics and I have to go back in 14 days.



They said they would scan him, but only if he got quite poorly because at the moment is is still quite lively-mind you this is only when he is out of his cage. They wouldn't operate because it is too risky. They agreed he is very young to have a tumour.



If Paddy suddenly went downhill and was in pain then I would have him put to sleep. But at the moment he is ok so I am not even considering it now.

[babyboos]

To be honest I have heard many stories of PDSA refusing surgery on small animals. They concentrate such efforts on the larger cats and dogs only due to the expense and success rates. I only use the Royal Dick (Edinburgh) Vet School Hospital for any operations and they are non-profit making and always willing to give surgery a go if they feel it is going to be of benefit to the hamster. I have also used Glasgow Vet School Small Animal Practice before and they were amazing. Are you near any vet schools ems? That is a lot of money but one hamster cost me nearly your quote in travel and treatments for urinary infections, pyometra and finally a hysterectomy... You should see the size of a hamster womb I always make sure I have AT LEAST £750 in the vet fund high interest savings account.



A hard decision to make indeed, I am thinking of you and Paddy. Keep us up to date on the situation.



Emma is there anyone ems can complain to re: the cost of the surgery or are all vets practices a law unto themselves when it comes to fees?



I did a quick check for decent vets in Surrey and these guys have been recommended:

Runnymede Hill Veterinary Hospital, Tite Hill, Egham, Surrey, TW20 0NB.

Tel. 01784 436367 Fax. 01784 434691

[i-love-paddy]

If the op was only a couple of hundred pounds, I would do it for him. As you know, I'm dedicated to my hamsters.





Will check the vet school



I hope Paddy doesn't die-doesn't bear thinking about

[pophammy]

You are doing your best for the little guy. I think you should wait and see how the antibiotics go. If he was suffering he would not be so chirpy so lets all hope the antibiotics do the trick. Even a couple of hundred pounds would seem a lot for a ham op and we know you would always do your best but no-one would expect this amount in vets bills so do not feel guilty about it. Give it time and hope an op is not needed.

[Emma]

Unfortunately, as far as I'm aware there's no rules about setting fees that vets have to adhere to.



From the RCVS Guide to Professional Conduct (available to read online on the RCVS website):



The RCVS has no specific jurisdiction under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 over the level of fees charged by veterinary practices unless they are so extreme as to constitute disgraceful conduct. There are no statutory charges and fees are essentially a matter for negotiation between veterinary surgeon and client



If you're unhappy with any vet then go here to read about the RCVS complaints procedure http://www.rcvs.org.uk/Templates/Intern ... deID=89655.



Your nearest university practice will be the RVC's which is in Camden I think, their brochure is online here http://www.rvc.ac.uk/Hospitals/PDFs/Brochure_BAH.pdf.



What actually are Paddy's symptoms? It seems he's had differing diagnoses.

[i-love-paddy]

he has a lump-on the notes it said 1.5cm x 1.5 cm. on the kidney



isnt pooing very well-thats why i took him to the vet in the first place.



has a slight urinary infection



isnt up all night chewing on his bottle as usual-although he is eating and drinking



He is down in the dumps-not himself for sure.



to be honest, i think it is a tumour. i took him out last night and he looked fed up,although he did have a run around. He isnt in any pain that I can see at the moment.