Lump!

twix and oreo mates4life · 08-07-2014, 09:41 PM

I was just taking my Syrian hamster, Twix, out for play time and I noticed she has a lump on her back. I didn't notice it earlier when she was out so I don't know what to do. And to top it off she has some fur loss in between her eyes.

twix and oreo mates4life · 08-07-2014, 10:12 PM

Can someone tell me how this lump could have formed

**Bec** · 08-07-2014, 10:38 PM

If you post a pic, that may help. If you are concerned may be worth a trip to the vets to get it checked out.

Neptune recently had a lump on his scent glad, his case was serious but caught early, hopefully yours is not on the same scale and can easily be treated if necessary.

Here was Neptune's:
Neptune at the vets!

**kyrilliondaemon** · 08-08-2014, 10:00 AM

None of us can definetly diagnose because we're not vets, all we can do is offer our suspicions and a picture or good description of the lump would help us get an idea of what we think (a picture and description would be even better).

An example is that I strongly suspect one of my hamsters has a cyst but only looking very closely at it has allowed me to form my opinion. Said hamster would be very stressed by a vet visit so at the moment isn't going - should we feel he'd benefit from treatment the vet will be seen to get a definite diagnosis and hopefully arrange treatment if treatment is possible.

Lumps can be anything from cancer to cysts, abcesses to fatty lumps... There're a lot of types of lump and each has a different cause and treatment.

kuba · 08-08-2014, 10:08 AM

Please contact a vet asap!

Benbo1 · 08-08-2014, 02:28 PM

See a vet ASAP. Plus ask for Metcam or Metacam,spelled one of these ways! It is a great anti-inflamatory for hams.My vet said that it has shrunk tumors in other animals.My little Bo was on it for pain, along with anti biotics & hes doing very good! He liked the taste also!

**kyrilliondaemon** · 08-08-2014, 02:34 PM

Er... Benbo, what if the lump isn't something that'll be affected by metacam? It could be something as simple as a fatty lump in which case metacam really won't help. Metacam can also cause health problems if overused so I think its best to let the vet themselves decide on treatment if Twix is taken to see one

souffle · 08-09-2014, 01:04 PM

There are several things that can cause a lump Twix - some simple and some more serious. If it stays or gets bigger then you need to see the vet for a proper diagnosis. It may or may not be related to the fur loss on the nose.
If she bar chews then it may be bar rub.
The lump may be a bruise swelling caused by a bump or fall when bar climbing. If the wheel is too small then the spindle can tun the back and cause a lump. Check the size and the spindle for fur.

Hamsters can get cysts filled with fluid or fatty stuff which can often be removed should they get large.
They can also sadly get tumours and this must be checked by a vet if it seems to be a tumour as it can spread where as removed early it is often completely cured.
Abscesses which are pus filled, infected spots are sometimes found and these can be drained and treated with antibiotics.
All in all if it stays more that a couple of days you need to see your vet.
Don't ever give human meds or meds for other animals or ever hamsters as you don't know the right dosage. The vet will know what to prescribe so leave it up to them to decide.
I hope it is sorted out soon.

twix and oreo mates4life · 08-09-2014, 08:46 PM

I just checked the wheel and yes. There is fur there. I am getting a bigger wheel so that should help