Vet said my Syrian Hamster has gas...

[hyojelly]

Hi... My name is Hyojae and I've had my Syrian hammy Mongshil (girl) for almost 1.5 years. Her health started to fail 2 months ago with crusty/bloody eyes. After trying home remedy (cabbage and chamomile), I took her to the small & exotic animal vet near me... AND today for the 2nd time because she seemed to be in so much pain...

The first time I brought her to the vet was because of her fast breathing and eye issues that kept coming back... Vet gave me smz antibiotics and antibiotic eye drop for her. Vet thought my hammy had an upper respiratory infection. She seemed to be getting better until yesterday (1.5 weeks after visiting the vet).

She became worse drastically. She was still breathing fast, can't keep her eyes open wide, not eating, not drinking, not sleeping and begging me to be let out of the cage (strange)... When I took her to the vet today, they gave her under the skin fluids, anti inflammatory/pain med (metacam), different antibiotic (baytril), and infant's anti-gas drop. They also got an x-ray done on her and the vet said she has gas in her belly and it seems like she's breathing fast due to pain, not respiratory issue..

I've been feeding her baby food (she hates it), pedialyte, soaked pellet from her bagged food, little bit of cabbage and cucumber today. She ate them little by little. I've put a water bottle filled with warm water in her cage so she can cuddle next to it because her body was feeling cold too. She peed once but didn't poop at all. :/ She's still breathing fast, and now she seems so weak she's just laying on her belly and chin :'( My vet is supposed to call me tomorrow to check up of Mongshil but it kills me to see her suffer... I want to help her feel better. I've tried massaging her belly but she still hasn't pooped. HELP MY POOP BABY PLEASE T_T

[CMB]

Veg may help her poop. Not sure is a particular veg is better than others.

[Cinnamon Bear]

So sorry this is happening! If it were me I would have her PTS since she is suffering! You must love her lots to have the vet go to such extensive treatment. Sometimes the kindest thing we can do is let her go when it has come time. I hope she passes peacefully but if not you may want to consider putting her down.

[Vectis Hamstery]

Your little girl sounds very unwell. I'm sorry to hear what a tough time you're both going through at the moment. If she has a lot of gas and isn't pooing, it makes me wonder what's causing it to build up - could there be some sort of blockage in the gut.

If she's suffering and not getting any better, you may have to think about her quality of life. Sad as it is, there may not be a lot else a vet can suggest to help her get better. If she isn't able to act like a normal hamster, isn't getting better and is in pain, ask yourself whether to carry on giving her medications or whether it's time to talk to the vet about helping her to pass. In this situation I ask my hamsters as well - and they give me a look that speaks volumes. Listen to your heart and your hamster.

I wish you both well in whatever you decide x

[hyojelly]

Hi, so updates.
Thank you all for worrying about both me and my little girl. I couldn't watch her suffer so I took her to the vet again. Saw a different vet. He took a look at her x-ray and said he sees some stuff with the gas in her guts. So he gave me reglan for me to give her. It's supposed to stimulate gut motility... I gave her one dose and she seems to be feeling much better. She's curled up and asleep. Sleeping slower than before. THANK GOD.

[Nancy's Hamsters]

Cabbage can cause gas, but like all have already said it may be time to help her be at peace and help her to the bridge.

[Thin Lizzy]

If she's suffering and it sounds like she is, then the kindest thing you can do is put her to sleep.