Post o p care advice

[Sue]

I'm taking my 18 month only Syrian girl to the vets tomorrow because she has developed a strange lump. It is mainly a mass of loose skin handing down from her chest between her front paws. Within the loose skin in an area that feels like a lump of jelly. It is soft and moveable and doesn't appear to be attached to her body, but free flowing within the loose skin! She is now getting her foot caught in the loose skin when she walks sometimes, so I think it will mean an operation to have it removed as it is clearly causing her a problem.

What I would like advice about is how is she likely to cope with an op and what should I expect post op regarding the wound and feeding etc. and also pain relief. Is she likely to try to pull her stitches out? Should I let her stay in her own tank or should I keep her in a smaller container with just a towel or something that I can change regularly to make sure her wound stays clean etc. Would really appreciate any advice/experience from anyone who had had quite a big op on a Syrian. Thank you

[Vectis Hamstery]

I've looked after hams post op, mostly spays but also a lump removal. Mine have mostly behaved with their stitches, though some vets use skin glue to prevent inquisitive hams being naughty!

I tend to put the ham in a hospital tank with no shelf, bars or wheel and nothing they can (theoretically) climb and injure themselves by falling off, especially as they can be a bit dopey or wobbly after the anaesthetic. I put them on soft substrate, like carefresh white/coloured or Fitch, and give them an open nest of bedding so they can be checked without being bothered too much. I make sure the food and water are in easy reach, and put a water bowl in as well as a bottle. If they are a little bouncy then I put the cage in a quiet room and part cover it with a towel to help them calm and rest. Vets often will give a bottle of metacam (painkiller form the same family as ibuprofen) and some antibiotics post op.

Even my 17 month old who was spayed was only down for the evening after the operation and was zooming about all over by the next evening! When they went back in their usual cage depends on how they are doing, but usually I wait until after the post op check with the vet.

I hope your little girl sails through her surgery

[chrisxcrossx]

Sorry to hear about your hamster's lump, I hope she recovers quickly!

My experience with post-op care in hams is pretty limited, as I've only ever had to go through it once (thankfully). But here's the advice I've gotten from vets, other ham owners, and my own experience.

Yes, your ham will most likely try to pull out the stitches. They don't like foreign objects stuck to them. Your vet will probably prescribe pain relievers. Mine had to be administered orally, once every 12 hours. If your ham doesn't like the taste and refuses to swallow, try mixing it with something they like -- a little bit of mashed fruit, plain low fat yogurt, or a teeny bit of baby food.

If she's currently housed with another ham, I'd suggest separating them. If possible, put her in an aquarium instead of a cage, so she's less likely to climb and hurt herself more. My vet recommended switching the bedding to TP or something dust-free and paper based to keep anything from getting into the wound. Also, make sure to change it frequently. Probably daily.

Remove sharp or potentially dangerous toys/accessories. The vet might suggest removing her wheel for a while. I think mine said a week. I wouldn't do it for too long, though. Running might make the wound reopen, but she'll do it on her own anyway if she has nothing to distract her from the pain.

Another thing to keep in mind... there's a good chance she'll be irritable or "bitey" while you care for her as she recovers. Especially if you have to administer medicine or dress/clean her wound. I'd suggest investing in a pair of soft leather or kevlar gloves to hold her to avoid bites.

Once again, I hope the surgery goes well and she has a speedy recovery! Best of luck to you and your Syrian<3

[Sue]

Thank you for your replies. I have just ordered one of those microwavable heat pads for after the op. She is booked in for next Tuesday at 9am. My vet said these lumps tend to come back again quite quickly unfortunately. Don't think I have any option but to have the op though as she is getting her foot stuck in the loose skin and the lump is growing quite quickly! She's 18 months old now, so hopefully she will get through the op ok and have at least another 6 months good quality of life ahead. She's very fit and healthy apart from the lump. I hope so, she is very special to me, so gentle and comes when I call her. She lives in a 3' glass vivarium, so I don't have to worry about her climbing. I'll just take everything out, except the wheel, because it's a giant roly wheel and doesn't have any sharp edges or anything. She's used to having water from a dish anyway as being glass I can't hang a bottle. I use the Back 2 Nature recycled paper bedding, so I think that should be ok to carry on using. I'll just take most things out of the tank and put a nice soft pile of paper bedding in. I will be a nervous wreck next Tuesday!!