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Old 05-25-2021, 08:25 AM   #1
PoobLove97
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 8
Default Advice on when to say goodbye



Hello, I've posted about my Chinese Dwarf hamster, Poob, on here before but things are not looking so good and I really need some advice.

My baby Poob is about 2.5 years old at this point and I love her so much. Back in October, she suffered from a stroke but I nursed her back to health with some help from all of you and her vet. Since then, Poob has been pretty much her normal self other than one of her back legs being a little weaker than the other. She could still run, play and eat normally. I have been giving her metacam (advised by her vet) to keep her from biting at her tail as it went numb from the stroke.

She has been a lovely girl but a few days ago her stomach seemed to grow overnight. I think she might have a bladder stone. At first, I thought she may have just pocketed a large amount of seeds because she is normally quite slim. The swelling hasn't gone down and now her pee smells stronger than normal and I've noticed some blood in her pee as well. The swelling has made her too big to run on her wheel and she waddles when she walks now because of the extra size and her weak back leg. I feel so bad because she LOVES to run. She's eating normally and drinking a little but she just rests all day/night.

I am taking Poob to her vet today but I'm scared of what my options will be. Poob is getting pretty old and I don't think she could survive surgery. I've also read antibiotics can be tough on their little bodies and I don't want her to suffer more. I feel guilty no matter what option I pick. I feel terrible just seeing her rest all day. She normally runs on her wheel for hours and zips around her tank.

I'm going to talk with her vet on what to do but I just feel so bad. Can anyone who has been through a similar situation give some advice?
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Old 05-25-2021, 09:14 AM   #2
Pebbles82
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Advice on when to say goodbye

Hello. I think you may need to be prepared for the fact she is very old now and organs will be failing. She is probably in her twilight time. Any abdominal swelling tends to be fairly serious. It is often fluid (from kidney failure or heart failure or ascites from a tumour). Your vet probably won't know exactly which of these it is unless she finds a tumour.

It is such a hard time when it is a much loved pet, but preparing ourselves helps. Your vet should be able to let you know whether she is suffering. If there is some blood that doesn't sound good, but it may be an infection. She is already on Metacam so there is not much more can be given for pain relief.

I would think your vet is likely to try antibiotics in case its a urine infection. If she is active and doing normal hamstery things. But as you're saying she is just resting most of the time she maybe doesn't feel that well so be prepared for the vet suggesting she may be suffering and helping her on her way may be the way to go - although you don't have to decide there and then.

If she does give antibiotics, those can make them feel a bit unwell sometimes and affect their gut so it can be good to give probiotics at the same time. But at a different time of day - or after the antibiotics if it's just a short course.

The blood could indicate a urine infection but I don't think the swelling would, and it may be something more serious. Keep talking to your hammy. She may give you a sign.

Does she seem unhappy at all or hunched up? Or slitty eyes? (Those are signs of pain), or just exhausted. Good luck at the vets. She is a grand age - the lifespan for a Chinese is usually 3 years maximum. She has done so well to recover from the stroke as well. Sometimes they pull round with treatment, sometimes we have to accept they are dying x

If they seem to be suffering and have no real quality of life - unable to be active or enjoy eating and drinking, then it can be a kindness to help them on their way. Metacam is good for pain relief, but not enough if it happens to be cancer.
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Old 05-25-2021, 09:55 AM   #3
PoobLove97
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Posts: 8
Default Re: Advice on when to say goodbye

Thank you so much for the advice. She is still eating normally but she mostly just rests. She can still waddle around and she'll move to a different hideout to rest more or chew on a toy occasionally but she can't run or climb. She still takes food from my hand and will interact a bit but she has always been pretty shy. I don't want to subject her to just sitting all day being bored or in pain.

I'm anxious to hear what the vet will say. I think I have to accept her time will be soon but I feel so guilty either way.

Thank you again for listening!
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Old 05-25-2021, 09:58 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Advice on when to say goodbye

She may just getting ready to pass in her time. But with the blood issue it probably does need a vet visit x
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