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Old 02-27-2022, 05:50 PM   #1
jessandflo
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: North of England
Posts: 16
Default Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

Need urgent help! My little Flo is 2 years old in May, she's still active, friendly and hasn't shown any previous signs of illness. Today I got her out to clean her bed. She only goes to the toilet in her bed so it can get pretty dirty, pretty fast. She's been eating, drinking, playing and chatting like she usually does.

Before putting her back in her tank I checked her bum like I usually do. I was shocked to see this bright red, raw looking sore and I've gone into panic mode. She seems totally fine and unbothered by it, but I'm terrified it could get bigger / be infected. I'm not sure whether it's feces or a scab that's stuck to it, but it doesn't look good. Will be taking her to the vets first thing tomorrow, but I was wondering if anybody had any knowledge of what this could be? Any tips on how to relieve it for her?

Screenshot-20220228-001936 — ImgBB

Let me know if the picture link doesn't work. Thanks so much guys.

Jess x
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Old 02-28-2022, 01:17 AM   #2
cloudy
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

I hope all goes well at the vets. I am sending you my best wishes.
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Old 02-28-2022, 05:36 AM   #3
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

That does look nasty. It looks ulcerated. Let us know how you get on at the vets.
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Old 02-28-2022, 06:52 AM   #4
jessandflo
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

Thank you so much for all the well wishes. The vet said they didn't have an appt until next Monday, but after sending the photos they're seeing her tomorrow morning. I have no idea how it's got so bad - just praying that they can give her something that will make it better! I hope she stays herself and doesn't take a turn for the worse whilst we get it sorted. Will keep this post updated with what they say. Could help somebody else in the future as I haven't seen anything like this on hamster forums so far. Any further advice on alleviating it for her is welcome! Thank you x
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Old 02-28-2022, 07:01 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

Presumably it's either external or internal cause. If it's external it could be a wound that has turned nasty. If internal it could be an ulcer or abscess that's broken out. Has your hamster seemed well otherwise?
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Old 02-28-2022, 07:22 AM   #6
jessandflo
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

I have a feeling it could be external but I honestly have no idea. Yeah she's been her usual self! Got her out last night for about half an hour to clean her bed / house area. My boyfriend was playing with her as I did this and he didn't notice anything. When I picked her up I did a visual health check and that's when I noticed it. If I hadn't of seen it I wouldn't have suspected that anything was wrong at all. So glad I saw it! Tempted to try the Manuka Honey UMF 16+ to see if it helps, but I'll see what the vet says first.
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Old 03-01-2022, 04:21 AM   #7
jessandflo
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

Just thought I'd give an update for anybody who comes across this post!

Took Queen Flo to the vets today and she was good as gold (as per). She's absolutely fine in herself and is acting as normal / isn't in pain.

The vet checked her out and believes that the lump is a tumor that has become ulcerated (not sure whether it's cancerous or not). The ulceration is because the blood from the tumor has come to the surface. The ulcer is close to where she wees but not directly on her urethra, so it won't affect her water works for now.

The vet teased the scab off for today, but reckons that the ulcer will keep scabbing up, followed by the scab falling off. However she doesn't believe it will fully heal. She offered me 3 options: 1. To leave her as is and keep caring for her / keeping her environment extremely clean. 2. To administer anti-inflammatory and pain medication, or 3. To do surgery. She explained that she could do the surgery but with her age and being so tiny it is always with risk. She was also concerned that it could mess up her water works, but could be possible to do successfully.

I decided to go with the anti inflammatory and pain relief in attempt to clear up the wound. She prescribed 0.1ml of Metacam and 0.02ml of Sulfatrim to be given once a day, for about 10 days. I gave Flo her meds as soon as we got home and she took them like a little trooper, followed by some broccoli leaves.

The vet asked for me to keep an eye on her, and said that she would like to see her again in about 14 days to assess the situation, and see whether the meds have made a difference.

She thinks that the tumor will keep growing, and in time it could potentially start affecting her bladder area. But that's a different conversation to be had completely.

I still feel very tense about the situation as it is day-by-day, and it's possible that this tumor could be Flo's fate. But I'm holding on to hope that the meds may help in shrinking the ulcer, and from there we can control it. If it got to the point where the tumor grows bigger and little Flo is struggling to walk or go to the toilet, I think the best option would be to put her to sleep rather than risk the surgery. But ONLY if her quality of life declines.

The vet visit and meds cost me £74.63 which is about what I expected - she's worth every penny. She is already very spoiled but I'm going to take extra care by giving her a bigger range of fresh foods and things that she will enjoy. I have taken all things rigid / sharp out of her 4ft tank to prevent the scab from being ripped off prematurely, and I'll start filling her tank solely with carefresh bedding so she's always cushioned, and comfortable.

Thanks so much for reading, and if your hamster has a similar problem to this then please go to the vets immediately! Little animals' lives are just as important as human lives. I'll keep updating this post as she goes on this journey

Jess

Last edited by jessandflo; 03-01-2022 at 04:31 AM.
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Old 03-01-2022, 04:50 AM   #8
cloudy
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

It sounds like you have a wonderful vet. I would have chosen the option you decided on too. Queen Flo is clearly so well loved and cherished. I really hope you have a lot more time together. Her 4ft tank sounds amazing.
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Old 03-01-2022, 08:10 AM   #9
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

I absolutely agree with the option you've chosen. Keep her comfortable with the Metacam - and you will know if she gets to a point that she needs more than that. I am so sorry about this. I've had this a couple of times with a hamster. I did have surgery on our 21 month old syrian (it was a very small scent gland lump which did turn out to be cancerous), in the hope that might stop it, but a few months later he had an eye condition which they thought was secondaries - and he did need to be pts in the end. I probably wouldn't have had the surgery if he'd been 24 months.

That is the hard thing with this kind of diagnosis - it means they are less likely to just pass in their sleep and may need help on their way. But - that is not always the case - anything could happen and hamsters can just die suddenly suddenly of something else.

It's a shock isn't it. But the main thing is that she is well right now. And she will be kept comfortable on Metacam for some time. I give it in a bit of baby food and they love licking the baby food off a tiny plate (aka jar lid).

I'm not so familiar with that antibiotic so don't know if it tastes bad like the Baytril but you could probably disguise that in food as well.

The cost you paid was quite high but I expect at least half of that was for the medications. I usually reckon about £40 for a consultation with an exotic vet.

At two years old she is a very great age - about 80 in human years, so she is in her twilight time and I am sure will enjoy more happy weeks or months with you.

And you never know it might clear up with the antibiotics. Our robo had something similar though. Just keep an eye on her and give her plenty of treats.

I wouldn't clean out too much though, to avoid stressing her. I know you said she pees in her nest, but you could try something. Not sure what your cage set up is like, but if you give them a large house - about 30 to 40cm by 16 to 20 cm (or shoebox house) and put a corner litter tray inside, they will usually use it - they build a big nest at one end of the house and use the litter tray at the other end. That will help. They seem to like having an ensuite bathroom and if the house is big enough they usually keep the pee away from the nest.

Best way to do it would be just swap out her existing house for a larger one over that area and add the litter tray.
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Old 03-04-2022, 02:06 PM   #10
Stanza
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Default Re: Red sore / lump on my female Syrian's bum. Need advice!

So sorry to read Queen Flo is unwell, wishing her better and hope the meds work to keep her comfortable and well. Best wishes.
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