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Old 05-16-2020, 03:40 PM   #1
sushi_78
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Default Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

I don't usually pick Pumpkin up, but this evening she came out early and I thought I saw some thinning fur on her chest so got her out to have a look, but I think it was just the way the fur was lying. I'm not certain though I didn't manage to get a good look. I also felt a lump in her lower abdomen, to the top left of her genitals. It was soft and a little over a cm in width. The skin over the lump was dark. Unfortunately I didn't manage to get a photo. I last handled Pumpkin about 3 weeks ago and I think I would have noticed if she had had the lump then, but I can't be sure. I got Pumpkin at the end of October and was told she was no older than 12 weeks, so she would be a maximum of 9 months old now.

What could it be? Should I make a vet appointment once they're open to non-emergencies again?
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Old 05-16-2020, 10:29 PM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

I don't know what the lump could be but i'd phone a vet for advice. Let's hope that it is something harmless like a cyst.
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Old 05-17-2020, 12:34 AM   #3
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

I'm sorry to hear that, I'm not sure what it would be either but agree it would be best to phone the vet & discuss it with them, I wouldn't wait for them to reopen for non emergencies, best to talk to them now & see what they think.
Hope it's nothing too serious.
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Old 05-17-2020, 05:52 AM   #4
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

Thank you. I will ring the vet tomorrow and see if they want to see her in the surgery. I've had another look and now I think she does also have some fur loss under her chin, and a bald patch above her genitals, so I really want to get to the bottom of this sooner rather than later.
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Old 05-17-2020, 08:24 AM   #5
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

I'm really sorry to hear about Pumpkin. To be honest, with rodents lumps can grow very very fast. I'd get it seen by a vet as soon as possible and not just when vets are seeing 'non-emergencies'. A fast-growing lump can be fatal if not removed as soon as possible.
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Old 05-18-2020, 03:37 AM   #6
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

I've rung the vet and it turns out they are doing some consultations at the surgery for some conditions. I've got an appointment for 4.30pm tomorrow.
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Old 05-18-2020, 05:02 AM   #7
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

I did some research of lumps and fur loss in Robos and it seems they're common in older hamsters, which made me suspicious about Pumpkin's age. Pumpkin came from Pets at Home Adoption Centre, so I rang the store on the off chance they still had information on her, and have been informed she was older than 6 months and no older than a year when I got her 6 months ago. When I got her I was assured by two separate members of staff that she was no older than 12 weeks. So now she's between a year and 18 months old, which makes a lot more sense with the problems she has now.
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Old 05-19-2020, 09:56 AM   #8
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

Pumpkin went to the vet today. It was a really stressful journey for her unfortunately. The vet thinks the lump is a tumour rather than a cyst or abscess. We discussed surgery but didn't think it was a good option at Pumpkin's age and due to the tumour's location in the abdomen it might be a difficult surgery. She's been prescribed Metacam to start using whenever I think she needs it but at the moment we don't think she's in pain. Unfortunately the tumour is very close to her leg and the vet thinks as it grows it may compromise the use of the leg. I think it's even grown since Saturday.
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Old 05-19-2020, 12:45 PM   #9
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

I'm sorry it wasn't better news at the vets, I hope she can still remain comfortable & have a good quality of life for some time yet.
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Old 05-19-2020, 05:12 PM   #10
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Default Re: Pumpkin has a lump near her groin

Quote:
Originally Posted by cypher View Post
I'm sorry it wasn't better news at the vets, I hope she can still remain comfortable & have a good quality of life for some time yet.
Thank you. She seems comfortable now and is eating, drinking and moving normally, and hopefully will continue so for some time. What signs of pain or suffering should I look out for? I have the Metacam for whenever it's needed, I'm just unsure when I should start using it.
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