Abcess or tumour?

Blake · 04-30-2018, 03:58 PM

Hi
We have had our Syrian hamster for just over 2 1/2 Years a few days ago he developed a lump under his chin that us now getting bigger and turning black. He is also sleeping more and I think drinking less water. I’m not sure whether it’s a tumour or an abcess? Any thoughts. I spoke to vet to day and he said that he’s a fairly good age for a hamster as I wasn’t sure whether having a procedure was too traumatic for him at his age and could easily get infected from everything I’ve read and seen. Shall I let him just carry on until the inevitable or risk?

Amethyst_ice · 04-30-2018, 05:06 PM

Hello and welcome to hc, I'm sorry it's under these circumstances.

Without seeing a picture, going on the speed it has grown and the black I'd lean towards an abcess coming to head.
I would go to the vets. If it is an abcess, they may flush it or leave it to burst. Either way some antibiotics and pain relief would be beneficial.

Older hamsters do sleep more. You can offer cucumber to help with water intake.

If he is still generally well I wouldn't leave it. If it is a tumour then I agree an operation at his age wouldn't be advisable but if it is an abcess it needs seeing to.

Ive had several hamsters live past 3yrs so don't write him off yet

cypher · 04-30-2018, 10:28 PM

I think you need to take your ham to the vet & find out exactly what the problem is first, if it is an abscess then it may be treated fairly easily, if it is a tumour then you would need to discuss the best way forward with your vet, your ham really is a great age some can undergo procedures at that age most probably not but if not then he may need some meds to help with pain, probably metacam, at some point to keep him comfortable.

ArcherMylin Hamster Care · 04-30-2018, 10:34 PM

I don't know if this can help, but I have experience with a similar situation...

Snowflake had something on his mouth that has a similar description. According to his vet, It's a tumour. He went through some minor surgery and is now eating Oxbow Critical Care food.

Hope you hamster gets well soon.

Blake · 05-01-2018, 05:10 PM

Hi all, thanks for your messages. So today the big lump the size of a walnut with a black colour has all but disappeared. I think he may have eaten it as I can’t find anything in his cage and seems a bit back to normal. Shall I get some Manuka honey on the open wound and or vet prescription? Or just leave it?

cypher · 05-01-2018, 11:27 PM

It depends on how large or deep the wound is, it may heal on it's own & you can if necessary bath it with saline to keep it clean, wounds can get infected though so he may need antibiotics from the vet.

Amethyst_ice · 05-02-2018, 07:43 AM

Don't put honey on, it's too sticky and could clog the pouches.

It sounds like it was an abcess. Try flush it with some saline. I'd still pop to vets for some antib's though as Cypher said

SKB_Hamsters · 05-02-2018, 08:19 AM

I would strongly recommend getting a vet prescription for it instead of putting honey on it. If it is an abscess it best to get treatment for it and not to leave it - as they do need to be properly flushed out with saline solution to prevent infections from spreading elsewhere. My past hamster Sherbet had an cheek abscess the vet performed surgery on it to open and flush the abscess clean - along with some antibiotics it healed really quickly. So this is what I would recommend too.