My hamster isn't eating almost anything

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Originally Posted by cloudy

I am so sorry to hear Bogie has cancer.

Now he'll have some sort of chemotherapy for a week and if it won't get better then surgery.
She said there's a chance that Bogie will survive the surgery and everything will go well.

She didn't offer euthanasia and well…I was holding back my tears as much as I could and mainly focused on not crying, to be fair.
We have to hope for the best and prepare for the worst. Today he was very active though. For real. I don't think he's ready to go to be honest with you. He was building a nest and everything and he almost climbed out from his carrier. Before he didn't even move.

If it won't end well, then at least I know I did absolutely everything I can to save him.
I'll have to go to the vet now every day. Part of me thought that maybe they're doing this for the money and Bogie has no chance, but then again he has gotten a little better.
When my father's degu had cancer the vet offered euthanasia immediately.

[Pebbles82]

How did they diagnose it as cancer? Did someone else look at the scan? I have heard of chemotherapy for hamsters but not in the U.K..

I think you need to do some careful thinking about this. The cancer could have spread and there be secondaries then the hamster will have gone through quite a few ordeals from chemo and surgery and still not get better.

I know some owners have decided to euthanise with a cancer diagnosis just to avoid further suffering.

It is a lot for him to go through - chemo and surgery. If he’s not even eating right now he’s not going to be in great condition for surgery.

I know you don’t want him to die and give him a chance but I’d think carefully about it.

It is very very common for the cancer to come back. If not on the same place then somewhere else.

But if your vet seems confident about this. I’m just concerned he’s not getting any pain relief at the moment if he won’t eat the powdered tablet. Presumably you’d leave him at the vets for all this treatment and they could give injected pain relief.

There is also always the risk with surgery that they die under the anaesthetic so you’d need to be prepared for that too although most people take that risk because it’s not a bad way for them to go if it happens.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

How did they diagnose it as cancer? Did someone else look at the scan? I have heard of chemotherapy for hamsters but not in the U.K..

I think you need to do some careful thinking about this. The cancer could have spread and there be secondaries then the hamster will have gone through quite a few ordeals from chemo and surgery and still not get better.

I know some owners have decided to euthanise with a cancer diagnosis just to avoid further suffering.

It is a lot for him to go through - chemo and surgery. If he’s not even eating right now he’s not going to be in great condition for surgery.

I know you don’t want him to die and give him a chance but I’d think carefully about it.

It is very very common for the cancer to come back. If not on the same place then somewhere else.

But if your vet seems confident about this. I’m just concerned he’s not getting any pain relief at the moment if he won’t eat the powdered tablet. Presumably you’d leave him at the vets for all this treatment and they could give injected pain relief.

There is also always the risk with surgery that they die under the anaesthetic so you’d need to be prepared for that too although most people take that risk because it’s not a bad way for them to go if it happens.

Yeah, about that, I kind of think he's passing away at this very moment. I don't know, but he doesn't move at all. He's breathing, but he's not moving at all nor eating, but then again he was drugged and was given strong painkillers, so that might probably influence it as well, but the vet didn't warn me about that.

It was the same vet. She said it's cancer now and I know, yesterday I was all for
euthanasia, but today he even climbed and made a nest and at the vet's office I was completely broken.

The vet gave him food and water though, but I literally had to pick him up and put him in his cage and he didn't move any further. It's possible that he's dying or it's the drugs doing that.

If he'll still make it we'll go to the surgery the next week, as I've understood.

I'll have to go back to the vet every single day now where they'll treat him, since I said honestly I couldn't get him to open his mouth.

The vet did the new scan, yes. I'm losing my best friend. I wish someone would've come with me and asked about it or made the decision for me. And I hope Bogie doesn't move at all, because he's heavily on drugs.

[ShadowNinjaHamster]

I am guessing cancer was genetic and it would've happened no matter what? I feel so bad and guilty, but I can't possible pinpoint what I did wrong. I ordered him food that some other vet said is healthy, I played with him, he has a playground and I don't smoke.

But the good news is that he's in a very very deep sleep. I can't wake him up with food or even when I touch him. He didn't even wake up when I took him out from the carrier. I had to put him in his cage and he's at the place where I put him. I can see him breathing. I think he doesn't feel any pain now and if he were to go this way I'd be pleased. Sad but pleased.

[cloudy]

Shadow, I am so sorry to read this. It must be frightening and horrible to watch especially if you are alone. I think being in a deep sleep is nice for Bogie as he is not in pain

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by ShadowNinjaHamster

I think he doesn't feel any pain now and if he were to go this way I'd be pleased. Sad but pleased.

I understand that. I think it would be a kind thing to happen but i'm one of those people who would lean towards euthanasia with a diagnosis of cancer.

[Pebbles82]

He could be unconscious. It is very distressing to lose a pet you are so attached to and want to save. And the vet was probably recognising you that and giving you these options as you were distressed.

From what you’ve said now though, I think it might be kinder to have him pts. He has been through a lot already. Aside from the cost of surgery and chemo he really doesn’t sound that well. But I know you are gauging he still has moments of normality.

In terms of coming to terms with personal feelings - yes he’s your best friend. And he’s also dependent on you and can’t tell you what he wants - you need to weight that up. Maybe he has had enough .

There’s a very helpful overview of cancer in hamsters below along with treatment options and things to be aware of. Bogie does seem to have all the symptoms of cancer. It says it could take months for recovery after surgery and chemo during which time they may need to be syringe fed and by then he will be at least 18 months and an older hamster. That is a lot of ordeal for a little hamster - bearing in mind they hate stress and lie to be left alone a lot.

I think if it was me I would make the decision to not go ahead with chemo and surgery and to help him on his way comfortably. He would just go to sleep under anaesthetic initially and not know anything about it. It’s incredibly hard I know but sometimes it’s the kindest thing.

Even if chemotherapy and surgery worked - there is just not sufficient pain relief available for hamsters - especially if there’s no liquid Metacam available. You wouldn’t have to do it straight away if you could give him
Metacam easily - the solution tastes nice. Could you ask the vet about obtaining dog Metacam solution? That is what is usually prescribed. Sometimes they just like it off the syringe as it’s only really a large drop, the dosage amount.

[Pebbles82]

Just to add to that - you may not think it now but when a hamster is gone you can develop a new special friendship with another little hamster who needs your love and care. They will not replace Bogie but will have their own personality and it’s a new and different experience that can actually help you get over the grief as they are such funny little things. But after this experience you’d need to be careful where you get one from and check they are healthy from the start.

With bogie - I would not want to put a hamster through surgery without adequate ongoing pain relief post surgery and you can’t keep taking him back for an injection every day for months really.

I’m glad he’s sleeping peacefully at the moment. It’s so hard but try to take care of you too and have a little break and do something nice.
I forgot to add that link

Tumors and Cancers in Hamsters | PetMD

[Pebbles82]

I am sure of you told the vet you thought it would be best to help him on his way, she would agree with you. Cancer is horrible. And so is the treatment. And the most important thing is pain relief. There is nothing stronger than Metacam. Plus he’d have all the symptoms of the chemo - his little heart might not handle it all.

I felt exactly as you do with Pickle - I read up about chemo (didn’t seem to be available here). Because at that time he was acting normally and fairly active. But when he went downhill I just didn’t want to put him through any more.

[Ria P]

I don't really understand how your vet can diagnose cancer without a biopsy, perform intricate surgery on a dwarf hamster and have chemotherapy available but not have something as basic as liquid Metacam.