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Old 09-12-2022, 11:55 AM   #21
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

That's useful to know Sushi - which is why it maybe needs a second opinion. I can see what you mean about the photos - on the second one where she's standing normally it's not hugely obvious but she is clearly wider at the back and it shows more on the first photo.
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Old 09-12-2022, 11:57 AM   #22
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

It could be "closed" pyometra which causes swelling - no discharge etc. Can you phone another vet tomorrow? I think she'll need antibiotics to prevent it getting worse if it's that (which is likely I think).
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Old 09-12-2022, 01:54 PM   #23
Ria P
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

An ultrasound scan would show what's going on inside including pyometra.
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Old 09-12-2022, 03:07 PM   #24
Lemon
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

Update:

I don’t think she’s drinking any more than usual

Over the past couple weeks however, she has been storing food in corners of her cage where she usually doesn’t, and she created a big nest in her center cage on the ground, where she’s never slept until recently. She now switches between sleeping there and in her regular spot. I just assumed that was her way of letting me know she wanted it cleaned out (I’ve been cleaning her bed every 2 days instead of 4 now because she keeps switching where she sleeps)


I just checked on her and she’s sleeping a lot more calmly now

The nearest other vet to me said they can’t see her until the end of October, and even they aren’t a specialist. My area doesn’t have any choices besides the ones I’ve already tried, and I would feel bad taking her on a really long day trip and watching her be so scared again
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Old 09-12-2022, 03:54 PM   #25
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

Are you in the Uk? I'm guessing not. Is there an animal hospital in your region like the pdsa? You mentioned something about having antibiotics the vet said you could give again if needed. Do you have a full course? I suppose you could ask to see a different vet in the same practice for another opinion (and say you've noticed something else and query pyometra).

I think cleaning out her bed every 3 or 4 days might be a bit much actually. They usually like their nest not to be disturbed. I always leave the nest and hoard alone - unless they're pee'd in. I might "prune" the hoard from the bottom after a few weeks if it gets too large. It helps them have normal behaviours.
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Old 09-12-2022, 05:02 PM   #26
sushi_78
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

It's a shame the vet can't see her sooner, but the main thing is that she isn't suffering, especially at her age. You do have to take into account the stress of the vet visit vs how useful it is likely to be.

Practically speaking, if it's pyometra, surgery is unlikely to be a desirable option at her age and then antibiotics and supportive care (keeping her comfortable and happy) would be the only option.

Heart failure is another possibility. It can sometimes be treated with diuretics but often this doesn't really give them much more time than if they were untreated. So again, it may be that just supportive care is the best option.
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Old 09-12-2022, 05:13 PM   #27
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

Agree - surgery wouldn't be an option. Antibiotics could prevent sepsis and relieve suffering - if it was pyometra. It really is just supportive care and preventing suffering. You could ask the vet about prescribing Metacam which is a reasonable thing to have for an older hamster generally - they could have arthritis, toothache and all sorts.

I do wonder if the nest changing might be her feeling she is perhaps nearing her time - feeling unsettled. But it might be to do with cleanouts as well.

Keep an eye on her. Perhaps you could have a telephone consultation with the vet now you've seen them. Send them those two photos and say she is enlarged at the back end from usual, ask for metacam in case she has any pain and ask if you can give the antibiotics in case it's pyometra, to prevent suffering. See what they say. Sometimes if you're a bit proactive (after they've said they can't see anything) they can accept that you want to prevent suffering and it would not be good for them to refuse.
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Old 09-13-2022, 03:01 AM   #28
Lemon
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

Thank you everyone for your advice.

I am definitely going to call the vet and ask about the antibiotics today, however I am worried about the antibiotics making icy feel or get worse if she doesn’t have an infection. Her swelling has still increased a bit, but she still seems active and happy. (She’s entirely calmed down from the vet visit, which makes me so happy)

(For the person who asked: I live in the US and unfortunately I don’t know of any kind of charity vets or equivalents to the group you mentioned)

i am admittedly very nervous when it gets to be a pet’s time to go, but I will also try my very best to make sure she’s happy and comfy for whatever time she has left

Do you guys think I should try the antibiotics anyway? Or the metacam pain medication? I’m so worried

I don’t want to act too late, but I also am afraid to give medicine if she is having kidney/liver problems, not an infection

Last edited by Lemon; 09-13-2022 at 04:43 AM.
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Old 09-13-2022, 08:28 AM   #29
Ria P
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

Quote:
Originally Posted by Lemon View Post

Do you guys think I should try the antibiotics anyway? Or the metacam pain medication? I’m so worried

I don’t want to act too late, but I also am afraid to give medicine if she is having kidney/liver problems, not an infection
I can feel your dilemma.
I'm in a similar situation with my 26 months old Syrian. He's had two courses of treatments and he's better but he isn't right. I said to myself at the beginning that if he's still not right after completion of the current treatment plan then i'm going to call it a day. No more vet visits and no more medication but i have Metacam as a backup should he need it.
Like your Icy, he's fine in himself but hates the disruptions of vet visits and getting woken up for meds time.
Thing is, we want to do everything we can medically to help our hamsters and then we have to step back and decide what would be in the best interest of our little friends.

I'll let you know what i'll decide because at the moment i'm 50/50. One part says let nature take its course because of his age and the other part tells me to make an appointment with one of his regular vets to see what they'd recommend.
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Old 09-13-2022, 08:52 AM   #30
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Slightly swollen sides

To be honest, if there is swelling going on, it is something serious. And she may be in her twilight time. It is incredibly difficult without a clear diagnosis. But Sepsis from pyometra is not a nice way to go and I would be inclined to want to give antibiotics and pain relief. If it's not infection then the Metacam will help, the antibiotics won't. The thing to do there then is find the least stressful way to give the meds. That is what I have always done (it worked very well with an easily stressed robo). By putting the meds in food. That's easy with metacam but not with the antibiotics - it needs to be something that will disguise the taste and what worked for me (after a very helpful tip from Vectis, a breeder on here) was a particular brand of beefy dog food for small dogs. It looked a bit like corned beef - not big lumps or anything. But probably more strongly flavoured than corned beef.

Just a pea sized amount with the antibiotic mixed in on a separate little dish. It not only got eaten but the hamster demanded more! I'd give them at different times of day. I'd put the antibiotic out midday - it would usually all be gone either straight away or by tea time. And the Metacam in baby food out in the evening - which sometimes wouldn't go until during the night but always gone by next morning. Because they only have small stomachs and wouldn't manage both at the same time.

But yes discuss with the vet first about giving the antibiotics - you'll need her weight for the dosage possibly as well (for that and metacam).

If she does have kidney issues, then yes Metacam is thought, by some to worsen kidney issues (another reason the correct dose is important). But as I understand it from my vet that is usually only if the dose is too high. And frankly, if she has kidney issues to start with ...........they can be painful too. Hamsters are very good at hiding pain and discomfort as prey animals.
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