Hamster hair loss and open skin sores - PLEASE HELP - Page 8

**DrKMcK** · 03-19-2014, 08:22 AM

Poor little guy. You are doing the best you can for him. It's a really tough thing to cope with.

racinghamster · 03-19-2014, 08:34 AM

I agree. You are doing all you can as regards to him having a degenerative condition and caring for him at home is the best thing. I`m not sure he would like being cried around to a vets surgery when the likelihood is a vet would only offer up Baytril or say it`s better to have him put down. That is a judgement only you can make based on his quality of life Figaro and I`m sure you will make that call when required. x

Figaro91 · 03-19-2014, 10:41 AM

His stomach has now turned into one giant sore

I managed to get some grape seed extract in him today by way of crushing the powder into cheerios. I might scatter some more of the powder over his dry food. I haven't found any soft food that he really like yet.

Bashful&Mortimer · 03-19-2014, 10:43 AM

I'm so sorry about Figaro. Would he perhaps like oatmeal once in a while?

**DrKMcK** · 03-19-2014, 10:48 AM

Hello Figaro. One giant sore sounds painful

You need to start thinking about his quality of life. Lots of small animals will not show pain as long as possible. This is because they absolutely must not show a weakness that a predator may spot. It's ingrained in them. He has to be in pain. I know you are doing everything you can for him, but there is no cure for this. He needs to see a vet, even if just for pain meds. Poor little ham

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souffle · 03-19-2014, 10:48 AM

You need to consider things very carefully now Figaro. If his tummy is that bad it must be causing him at the least, some discomfort. If it is infected it is a matter of time before it gets in to his blood system and then he will feel very poorly.
The gift is to find the time before he suffers and let him go. He has trusted this decision to you as all our little ones do. I really don't think the grape seed is going to help at this stage but you can only try but don't try too long if nothing happens and let him free before it hurts xx
This is a hard path to walk but I hope you have the strength to make the choice for him x

Figaro91 · 03-20-2014, 09:23 AM

Figaro lost his battle today. This morning I think he had a seizure, and he was very jumpy and didn't seem quite with it. What with how his stomach was and how his behaviour was changing, I decided that today was the right time to put him to sleep. Oddly, the vet didn't think it was Cushings, but diabetes, and suggested that had I brought him in earlier they think he could have been treated for it. Personally, I think that's absurd and the vet clearly didn't know much about hamsters - his symptoms were nothing like diabetes. Nevertheless, he had a pain free exit from this world. I'm very upset at the moment, and feel awful that I may have prolonged his suffering unnecessarily. I wanted to post this pic to remember how he used to be before the disease. I hope he rests in eternal peace in hamster heaven. Thank you all for your help and advice.

Figaro91 · 03-20-2014, 09:28 AM

Here are more I found of him playing on the trampoline and perusing his favourite books...

souffle · 03-20-2014, 09:34 AM

You gave him rest when he needed it Figaro so don't live on regrets and what if's . It does not sound in the least like diabetes and even if it was there is really no successful treatment for it either that I know of. Some help a little but only for a short while.
He is free now and fluffy and perfect again at the bridge.
Play well sweet Figaro and send a rainbow to your family x You were quite a trouper.

Figaro91 · 03-20-2014, 10:07 AM

Thank you Souffle. You've all been a tremendous help in this hard time. xxx