Hamster rapidly growing in size

Aphrodite Syrian · 02-07-2015, 09:47 AM

Hi everyone,

I have had her about a year and a half. I couldn't ask for a better pet she loves to climb up my arm and sit on my shoulder.
I have just checked on her as she was awake and i have noticed she has got very large very quickly. I am worried that there could be something wrong. She always has been a bit on the large side. She has Harry Hamster food and she does eat more than my other hamster. I am wondering if i should take her to the vet and how urgently should I do it. The vets I go to is 100 pounds for out of hours and I would have to go into debt to cover it. I love my hamster I would do anything for her. Please could you guys take a look at these pictures i have attached and let me know if you have seen anything like this before.

Thank you so much for all your help

Nancy's Hamsters · 02-07-2015, 11:03 AM

She does look swollen in the abdomen area in those photos.
I would get an "in hours" Vet visit as soon as possible. Females that age and with no male around might have the early stages of a closed Pyo(womb infection). When the infection first takes hold they don't act sick at all. However as the infection gains hold and she starts to show illness signs it is often much to late to save them.

Now if a male is present and if someone decided to let him meet her you could have a pregnant girl there. However by your signature no males are present so a Vet visit as soon as the Vets is open normal hours is a must.

With the Vets check-up they will be able to tell you much better then us with a few photos what might be wrong with your lovely older girl.

Please do keep us updated on her condition.

Aphrodite Syrian · 02-07-2015, 11:11 AM

She was pregnant once and produced one pup but she ate it.... she has been big like this before which was a few weeks after she gave birth we had her have an ultrasound and it came back clear. I will book her in first thing Monday. Thank you for the advice

racinghamster · 02-07-2015, 11:32 AM

At this age and the fact that she`s had one baby previously, it`s always worth having a vet check her over just to have a feel at her tummy and give a basic assessment of her wellbeing. I wouldn`t overly worry as it may just be nothing, but it won`t hurt to take her along. x

Thin Lizzy · 02-08-2015, 02:00 AM

Hope all goes well at the vets. The vet will be able to give her a proper examination.

Aphrodite Syrian · 02-11-2015, 02:08 PM

UPDATE she has been diagnosed as having pyometra. I currently have two choices get her spayed at one and a half years old but she is healthy and strong at the moment or to wait til it gets to a point where it affects her quality of life and then have get put down. As much as I love her and want to see her well again I don't wanna put her though spaying for her not to survive and to cut her life short. So guys I really could do with some advice. She is currently on antibiotics and Is not in pain.

souffle · 02-11-2015, 03:56 PM

There is a useful article on Vectis website you may wish to have a look at.
Pyometra in Hamsters - Vectis Hamstery and Exotics
There has been some success with Galastop in older hammies so that may be something your vet would consider?
I hope she stays comfortable for a while yet x

**DrKMcK** · 02-11-2015, 06:43 PM

I am sorry to see this post. It's hard to decide what to do with a pyo. There have been hams here on HC who have had successful surgery at an older age, but it's never a sure bet. However you decide to handle this, I wish you all the best. The info Souffle gave you on Vectis' link is really good. I hope you find it helpful.

Thin Lizzy · 02-11-2015, 06:58 PM

I'm so sorry to read this, what does the vet think about the op? Is he positive about the outcome?
I fully understand you not wanting to put her through it at her age, as her owner, you know her better than anyone, if the vet is very positive about the op then you need to ask him if he's done this before, what's the smallest animal he's operated on. I know whenever I'm at the vet, I'm so anxious and I get tongue tied and come away wishing I'd ask this and that. But Archie's last visit, I put everything I wanted to ask the vet into my phone so I wouldn't forget.
Don't be afraid to ask the vet questions, however silly you might think they are, the vet shouldn't mind and be able to give you the answers.
I've already said in a post in another thread that I wouldn't put Archie through an op if he had bladder stones as I don't think he'd make it due to weight loss.
Whatever you decide, you have our support here.