Dead Kit Kat: Baytril or Metacam to blame?

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Rushed Kit Kat to the vet after noticing a protruding eye and bump on her nose. She was wobbly and weak when she walked. While waiting for the vet to see her she was pretty active and trying to escape her holding container (vet provided). Eventually she would settle down and take a nap.

Vet decided to give her Baytril or Metacam and fluids because she was dehydrated. When she came out she looked worse and looked even more fatigued. On the car ride home she was having trouble breathing and breathing threw her mouth. Eventually she shook twice, flipped over and died.

Everything seemed sudden. Her eye was fine last night but she stayed in her bed during the past two nights. Her eye didn't look bad until today. So I think it's odd that she died after they gave her these drugs especially since she was doing better before they put them in her.

Any input on these drugs or her condition is much appreciated. Just want to figure out what caused it and why she died so fast.

[BrainGirl]

It's sometimes amazing how quickly our little fluffs can go downhill. Baytril and Metacam are pretty safe medications and have a long history of use. The only thing I can think of that can be a problem is that Metacam is hard on the liver but that's with long-term use. The fact that her eye looked worse only today could have been an indication that her condition had reached a critical point. The trouble is that they hide illness and pain so well that it could have been developing for days before you saw indications and took her to the vet. I'm sorry for your loss x

[cypher]

I'm really sorry you lost her like this.
I have to agree with BrainGirl, it's very doubtful the drugs contributed to her death. As you say she stayed in her bed for two nights she probably wasn't well for a little while but they do tend to hide it well & then go downhill very very fast. I'm sure there's nothing more you or the vet could have done for her.

[CPalmer]

So sorry to read this. I have nothing to add but my condolences x

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Thank you very much. These comments do help me feel at ease. I've felt guilt for hours now. Regretting the medication and wishing I hadn't given it to her. Feeling like I made a mistake and causing her death. I'm still in the dark as to what caused her eye and bump. I was sick last week so I didn't even get a chance to spend time with her before she hid away in her nest.

I never thought much about it since it wasn't odd behavior. There had been other days where she wasn't in the mood to come out.

I'm debating on a new hamster. So many unused toys, treats and aspen. Seems like a waste not to get another. But what's the point of getting another if it's just going to end in heartbreak again?

[Skeever]

Because we usually get about two years of fluffiness before the heartbreak, and find it worthwhile ? We go in knowing we have that two year window basically. I'll take a month of pain for two years of fluffiness anyday?

It couldn't be your fault on a number of levels. We're not doctors. We trust doctors to step in when health is an issue, and she had a wonderful home and was well taken care of. Even after the shock of her passing, you're asking about med reactions so the learning continues. This is not the sign of a negligent owner. Even if the doctor should make an error, its really not our position to know how well a doc did his job.....another doctor may answer that better. We do our best based on what we know, and we continue in knowing more? Condolenses for such a sudden loss

Nothing wrong with getting another one either, whether it be the same day or after a month or more of waiting. You'll know the time when it comes. No one else can advise you really...cuz they ain't you

I'm glad you posted, because my first thought was allergy to antibiotics, but thats just a guess in the dark, and people here with more experience haven't heard of this....its a good question you raised.

[souffle]

I am so sorry you lost little KItKat. I doubt you could have done anything more. What will be will be and sometimes no matter how hard we try a hamster has already chosen it's path. It sounds like she may have had a stroke or a bleed behind the eye and this is not something you could have forseen nor cured.
When you are ready a new little one will come to fill that gap. Yes it will end in sadness as hamsters live their lives more rapidly than we do but a lifetime of love and shared with you is worth the grief we have at the end.
Play well at the bridge KitKat xx

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Originally Posted by Skeever

Because we usually get about two years of fluffiness before the heartbreak, and find it worthwhile ? We go in knowing we have that two year window basically. I'll take a month of pain for two years of fluffiness anyday?

It couldn't be your fault on a number of levels. We're not doctors. We trust doctors to step in when health is an issue, and she had a wonderful home and was well taken care of. Even after the shock of her passing, you're asking about med reactions so the learning continues. This is not the sign of a negligent owner. Even if the doctor should make an error, its really not our position to know how well a doc did his job.....another doctor may answer that better. We do our best based on what we know, and we continue in knowing more? Condolenses for such a sudden loss

Nothing wrong with getting another one either, whether it be the same day or after a month or more of waiting. You'll know the time when it comes. No one else can advise you really...cuz they ain't you

I'm glad you posted, because my first thought was allergy to antibiotics, but thats just a guess in the dark, and people here with more experience haven't heard of this....its a good question you raised.

Thank you very much. My boyfriend agrees and also thinks she might have had an allergic reaction to the meds.

[Oatmeal_Cupcake]

Originally Posted by souffle

I am so sorry you lost little KItKat. I doubt you could have done anything more. What will be will be and sometimes no matter how hard we try a hamster has already chosen it's path. It sounds like she may have had a stroke or a bleed behind the eye and this is not something you could have forseen nor cured.
When you are ready a new little one will come to fill that gap. Yes it will end in sadness as hamsters live their lives more rapidly than we do but a lifetime of love and shared with you is worth the grief we have at the end.
Play well at the bridge KitKat xx

Thank you very much for your kind words.

[summerdaze]

I agree with the others - it's not your fault. You took her to the vet to try to help her and the vet did the best they could. It just sounds like she was too ill.
Good luck with your decision on whether to get another hamster or not x