Unsure whether to put Phineas to sleep

[Missile.x]

Hi, (this is a long thread because I feel medical history is probably relevant to my question, sorry)

I'm basically posting this because I'm experiencing a very difficult dilemma. Phineas is 2 year old syrian hamster and about 6 months ago I took him to the vet because he'd lost some hair on his bum and I was worried. The vet said he probably had cushings, but seemed healthy otherwise so not to worry and told us what vitamins we might give him to help best we could. A little more hair fell out but other than him peeing a lot more than usual he seemed fine. In fact, over the next few months his hair actually grew back making us think the diagnosis could even be wrong.

However, about a month or so ago I noticed his abdomen felt funny. At first I thought I was imagining (as I am a worrier), but within a few weeks it was clear something was very wrong. His abdomen was getting increasing swollen, squidgy to touch, not hard. I immediately booked him into the vets thinking this was it and he'd need to be put down. However, they said while they couldn't pin point a reason without an X-ray (which at almost 2 years could be risky) he seemed bright eyed and he was still eating and drinking etc. the vet said there was probably no need to put him down at this stage.

At present, Phineas's abdomen has really gotten very large, especially on one side. His eyes are frequently shut together when he's awake and outside of me nagging him with eye solution he cannot see a lot of the time. He sleeps most of the time and his abdomen is making it really quite difficult for him to move around, but he is still eating, drinking and fairly inquisitive. I am very unsure what to do. I don't know whether it would be kinder to take him in and have him put to sleep or whether I am taking comfortable life from him. He's had a good innings and I can't imagine having an abdomen that huge (so big his ridiculously large testicles have dropped even lower on his body) can be comfortable. But at the same time, who am I to rob him of life if he's still getting by?

Does anyone have any insight? I have thought this through over and over again but still can't reach a conclusion. I love him very much and I just want what's best for him.

[Thin Lizzy]

Hi Missile.x,
It sounds like Phineas could have a tumour or it could be something to do with his kidneys.
It does sound like it's uncomfortable for him.
Make an appt with the vet and get his opinion and take it from there. Sometimes, we have to make difficult decisions of putting our ham to sleep, you've thought about it. Follow your heart.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

This is a very hard choice to determine, and sadly we can't make it for you as we can't hands on the hamster. I had a Vet once help me with this decision with our 14 year old Welsh Corgi.

This did help us a huge amount in making the right choice.
Sit down with a clear mind and make a list of at least 10 things Phineas just must do daily to make him happy. List them in the order of most enjoyable to less enjoyable but still likes to do. Write them down in a column and as the days progress and you note him not doing them any more draw a line through that item in the column. When he gets to 5 or less listed items it is time to seriously think about helping him along so he is again at peace and pain free.

It does sound like he has a tumor and these can be painless and just bulky and heavy for him, or they can be very painful and he is just hiding his pain from you.

[cypher]

I'm really sorry to hear it's reached this point with Phineas, it's never an easy decision to make & as Nancy says none of us can make it for you as it's never really possible to know without actually observing a hamster.
It's hard to let go & hard to know if & when the time is right, I do think when you begin to ask the question your heart is telling you it may be the best & kindest thing.
All you can really do is continue to monitor his quality of life & try to gauge if he's just getting by, feeling discomfort or pain or if he really is still get some happiness from his life.
Sorry we can't help you more, thinking of you at this difficult time.

[de4life]

I had a similar situation with my male Syrian Axel (he's my avatar). His fur began thinning and his abdomen began to swell. Otherwise he seemed healthy, active and comfortable though. I changed his cages so that he had easier access to everything and kept a close eye on him. At first the swelling wasn't too noticeable, and the vet told me he was otherwise healthy, but after around six months he was shaped like a light-bulb. He was nearly three years old by this point.

I decided to have him pts when I saw he was struggling to get into a comfortable position to sleep due to his unusual shape, and he was also struggling to get into his potty or drink from his water bowl. His eyes by this point were almost always shut and he was sleeping a lot. His hair had thinned a lot and he generally just looked very old. I have to say though, until it got to that point he still appeared content and would still come out for 20-30 mins every evening. It was only in the last week or so he stopped wanting to come out.

It was still a very hard decision to have him pts though. On the day he went to the vet he was sitting in his nest chewing on a cashew nut. I knew it was the right time, though, as his quality of life was beginning to decline and I didn't want him to suffer. It's a tough decision to make but it's when their quality of life is gone that it has to be made.

[Missile.x]

Thank you Thin Lizzy, Nancy, cypher and de4life for your kind words and help. I really appreciate it. All of your replies helped me to come to some kind of conclusion, but hearing about Axel especially solidified my decision. I have booked a vets appointment for the morning where I will put forward my belief that Phineas should be put to sleep and in less the vet assures me this is unnecessary and that he is actually fine (which is highly unlikely) I will go through with it. The thing that's occurred to me mostly is that as he is now may not be all overly awful, but he's 2 years old and is never going to get any better. Even if his quality of life is bearable, bearable is not the same as good and things will only ever go down hill for him. If he is somehow not uncomfortable or in pain, looking at his abdomen, some day soon I feel he probably will be. I'd rather his death was before things get really bad, rather than waiting until he is in a lot of pain and then having to arrange an appointment etc.

[cypher]

You're doing the kindest thing, I'm sure the vet will be able to advise you if there is anything that can be done for him but if not you've made a brave decision to be sure he doesn't suffer any more.
Thinking of you.

[de4life]

I hope everything goes OK. It's an awful decision to have to make, but you're absolutely right in saying there's a big difference between a bearable quality of life and a good quality of life. The vet should be able to give a professional opinion to help you decide.

[souffle]

Enjoy spoiling him for his twilight time. It's better a few days too early than a few minutes too late I always feel. I hope his path is gentle. He sounds like he has had an amazing life with you xx