Bloated belly Syrian female

Wakeupromance · 02-02-2018, 09:27 PM

Hi guys, my Alice has a very swollen belly. I'm sorry for the long text but I really need help and giving you all the information so you can help me.

She's walking almost lumping and very slowly like she was drunk with her back arched and the bum is full of soft smudgy stools (not diarrhea) I think that she can't clean herself due to the size of the belly. She's making this chirping noise that I thought it was her teeth but it's not. She's let me handle her as usual but her ears are down I know she's in pain. The belly is almost double her normal size and it's soft and squishy, I've cleaned her bottom with a dry paper towel, gave her an almond (that she refused) and some brocoli (she immediately took some but just a bit, normally she would take the whole thing into her pouch). She barely moves out of her nest.
I've moved her yesterday to her new cage and she was not so swollen I've noticed something was off, but saw her filling her pouches as soon as possible so discarded my 'mom alert'. I've put her nest exactly as it was in the other cage so she didn't get stressed. I've left a water bowl near her nest because I don't know if she's drinking or can drink from the bottle, and some apple and brocoli in case she gets out of the nest.

She was in a terrible temporary small cage due to a mite infestation that I had in the cage last month, she had no mites on her. But had a respiratory infection that was treated with 3 weeks of baytril every 12h prescribed by the vet.

Please help me, can this be constipation? Pyometria? Heart failure?
I'm going to the vet first thing in the morning, but I think I can't sleep until then knowing that she isn't well.

cypher · 02-02-2018, 11:53 PM

Really sorry to hear this, I can imagine how worried you must be but it's really not possible to guess what may be wrong, pyo is usually the first thought with females but it could be a number of things.
Good luck at the vet, hope they can help get Alice better.

Wakeupromance · 02-03-2018, 05:03 AM

I came back from the vet now, she's been hospitalized and is getting oxygen and painkillers until an ultrasound is done on Monday to see what is going on. Everything points to a tumor and fluid in the abdomen that is making her breathing very hard. I do not know if it was better to leave her there where they can make her more comfortable or if it was better to bring her home to at least she dies with love. I don't believe that she can make it through Monday, she is very debilitated. I'll update you.

cypher · 02-03-2018, 06:07 AM

So sorry, it must have been really hard to leave her, a difficult decision to make but if her condition is that bad but still with a chance of making it to having the ultrasound on Monday I think you've done the right thing to leave her, I would imagine it may be difficult to manage her pain at home if it is that serious.

Pebbles82 · 02-03-2018, 07:00 AM

So sorry she is ill. Well done for getting to her a vet - she's in the right place now for the treatment she needs - think about her and send her your love and I'm sure she'll know xxx Fingers crossed.

souffle · 02-03-2018, 09:32 AM

I'm sorry to hear she is so ill. I always say any decision made from love is the right one.
I'm sure if she shows signs of real distress they will call you with advice. Each of these conditions is going to be very hard to cure I'm afraid.
Maybe you can visit and make a decision if you feel she has had enough. Sending thoughts to you.

CMB · 02-03-2018, 09:44 AM

Sorry to hear your hamster is ill. Hope she is better soon.

Wakeupromance · 02-03-2018, 02:00 PM

I've been running all day today trying to get some vet to give her the ultrasound. Finally got it and the diagnosis is that she has multiple tumors with fluid on her belly. The vet took some fluid out and she was so relieved. She's hospitalized for tonight on oxygen to get a proper breathable rest and tomorrow I'm picking her up to start paliative care. Now I have to decide if I put her down tomorrow or if I bring her home for some comfort and love and put her down in the next few days.. I don't want her to suffer anymore, the quality of life on paliative care is none and dying with pain is not an option. Thank you for the support!

cypher · 02-04-2018, 12:26 AM

It's a hard decision to make & I'm really sorry you have to do this for Alice, hard as it is it's done from the heart & with love.

souffle · 02-04-2018, 01:47 AM

I'm sorry to hear this. She has had a wonderful life with you. I always think a day early is better than a day late. Ask her when you see her and I'm sure she will give you a sign. Having you by her side is all the home she needs xx I hope her path is gentle.