Gus is having an operation

[souffle]

We are currently looking after Gus, the school hamster, a marbled WW. He has developed a lump on his tummy to the side of his scent gland which the vet though might be an infection however it has a solid area and has started to grow larger. After much dicussion and consultation with our vet we have decided to take the risk and give Gus his best chance and have an op to remove the lump. It does not seem to bother him much but it will start to rub if it grows and may affect him in other ways. He is losing some weight but we feel we must try for him. It has been a hard decision as we would not want to put him through an op for no real gain in the length and quality of his life. Our hearts are torn many ways... can he cope..what if he does not make it, what if it hurts but we feel that we need to try our best for little Gus.
The lump is under the skin and about the size of a pea. The vet is optimistic and thinks he has a good chance.
His op is on Monday so please send you best healing thoughts up to Gus then. Thanks folks.

[Nicolapompicola]

Good luck today little Gus!

[suga]

Hope the little fella gets on okay. Thinking of him for a speedy and healthy recovery.

[pophammy]

He's home!
He's running around happily in his cage, and, though a bit dozey, seems OK! :P We've not really seen underneath him so haven't seen his stitches, but he seems to have a bit of a shaved patch. :P The vet says we shouldn't handle him til tomorrow, but we will keep checking up on him throughout the day. The stitches are dissolving ones so he doesn't have to go back to the vets unless there's a problem.
The vet thinks it was a mammary tumour ~ he said that even though he's a male he still has the glands and so could get it.
He's been running around crazily, so doesn't seem all that bothered. He's been up on his platform and was also trying to dig under his sofa! :P

Here is a pic of his lump before. His scent gland is a bit sticky as he doesn't like us trying to bathe it.



Also here's some pics of him from last night.











I wasn't being mean to him in this ~ I was holding him and as soon as I took the pic he decided to wriggle out backwards!



And also a random pic of Lola :P

[suga]

Oh good news that he's home. He looks very friendly and of course the gorgeous Lola
thanks for sharing.
heal fast gus

[happysaz133]

Oh I am glad the op went well and that he's home! I've never heard of an operation on a hammy before!

[souffle]

Many vets wont even try it happysaz but we are so glad ours is such a wonderful vet who sees all animals as worth a try if they can make their lives better for however long. For the consultation and operation the whole cost was only £35 and little Gus is worth every penny if he feels better for having the lump removed. It is always a risk with a 47g creature and an anaesthetic but we felt it was worth it to save him. He will sure be getting spolt now

[Spuds Mum]

Good on you Gus!

I agree with you Souffle, and our vet has operated on our hams on a number of occasions Glad gus is doing well, please tell him from me to leave his stitches alone