Ear cancer?

[RolyRocks]

Update...

After speaking to my vet she has recommended I try a Xeno 50-mini spot on treatment and also some Canaural ear drops. She advised one single drop of the spot on treatment onto his skin and another in 14 days if needed. The ear drops are one single drop twice daily, and they contain an antibiotic and steroid. I have read online that the ear drops can be used for the treatment of ear mites so I wonder if I need to still use the spot on? I guess because I told her he was scratching all over that she advised both. She also informed me of the possible side effects with the ear drops. The steroid could lower his immune system and possibly make any underlying condition worse and it could also have an affect on his kidneys/liver. She said in cats/dogs they could experience sickness but it is unknown how it will affect little hamsters.
I'm of course worried about the side effects and giving him 3 different types of medication, Metacam twice daily, ear drops twice daily and his one off spot on treatment. But, at the same time I really want to try and help his ear and hopefully take any pain and discomfort away. He's a very old man so I have to weigh up all the pros and cons, I'm just worried I could potentially make him feel poorly.
I know you guys can't tell me what to do but I would very much appreciate any advice and I would be interested to hear if anyone has any experience with these ear drops or spot on treatment.

[Ria P]

Three of my hamsters, including a dwarf had treatments with Xeno 50 spot on but at higher dosages. Not one of them showed any side effects and one drop is a very low dose.

I have no experience with the ear drops but to me they seem a sensible course of action.

Metacam is a painkiller and many elderly hamsters are on it longterm.

Thing is that All medications whether they are for humans or animals, can have side effects.
It is a health professional's duty to point this out to patients so it is not something to get overly alarmed about.

You take excellent care of Loki and sometimes we have to venture into the unknown in the hope to make things better.

I totally understand your concerns though because i also feel apprehensive at first when giving a hamster a new medication.

[RolyRocks]

Thank you Ria P.
I just tried giving him the spot on treatment but I was so paranoid about putting it on him whilst he was still that I think only half a drop probably came out before he started moving again. I don't know whether to apply another drop or whether this would be too much? When you say it's a very low dose, how much do you give?

[Ria P]

I followed the vet's instructions but can't remember the dose prescribed for my dwarf. The other two are Syrians.
The vet works out the dosage going by the weight of the hamster.
I can't see how only half a drop could come out. I mean, a drop is a drop.

I'd wait and see what happens once the ear drops take effect. You can always phone the vet in the morning and ask if you should administer another drop of xeno 50.

[sushi_78]

I have used ivermectin spot on several times and never had any issues. I think side effects more often result from injected ivermectin, or when the topical version is overused.

[RolyRocks]

Originally Posted by sushi_78

I have used ivermectin spot on several times and never had any issues. I think side effects more often result from injected ivermectin, or when the topical version is overused.

Thank you. My dwarf is about 40 grams and was recommended 1 drop but from reading online it says 1 drop per 15 grams body weight. Can you remember what you gave?

[Ria P]

I would stick to what the vet prescribed because Loki is on other medication as well. The dosage should be written on the packet when it was dispensed to double check.

Online is not a reliable source when it comes to prescription medication.

[sushi_78]

Originally Posted by RolyRocks

Thank you. My dwarf is about 40 grams and was recommended 1 drop but from reading online it says 1 drop per 15 grams body weight. Can you remember what you gave?

It comes in different strengths depending on the brand so I'd go with what your vet recommended. I didn't use Xeno 50 but a different brand.

[Pebbles82]

If you think only half a drop came out then you could do another half drop (I know what you mean by half a drop I think - as in it wasn't a full drop!). But I'd speak to the vet first, and explain and see what they recommend.

[Amethyst_ice]

If you struggle with the drop you could ring your vet and ask what ml and use a small syringe. My rat needed "a pippette and a half" so using the syringe was more reliable.

it sounds like a better course of action, fingers crossed