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Old 08-17-2010, 02:34 PM   #1
verymissberry
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Default Ill Winter White

My little Chloe seems to have developed an internal lump under her neck. It has come on really fast and is quite big now, she can only just hold food.
She is getting on a big at the age of 2 year, but still runs in her wheel, eats though not so much and drinks. She has started sleeping a lot lately.

We took her to the vets who said it was pointless being heroic and as long as she's not in distress let her carry on. He mentioned it would be tricky to remove as it could be near her air way inside.

I feel helpless watching her and wanted advice on what others would do.

I love her so much.



The picture was only taken a few days ago and you can't notice the lump like you can now.
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Old 08-17-2010, 02:56 PM   #2
Katty_Sheldon
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

Hello...
i am very sorry about this. Poor hammie. But i am sure she had a great life with you! My first winter white died at year and a half age, he just grew so old in a few weeks and his immunity totally failed... it was horrible.
Just be with her as much as you can, and give her her favorite treats, and tell her how much you love her and care for her. Talk to her... we cannot stop the old age, its horrible that they have such short lives. But its good that they have someone who cares about them.
Hold on and good luck!
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Old 08-18-2010, 01:02 AM   #3
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

Sorry about your hamster missberry. I think your vet is right about not operating, at her age she will be at a great risk of not coming roud after anesthetic, and is much less likely to bounce back after the operation if it were a success. Unfortunately hamsters do only live around 2 years, we just have to enjoy the time we have as Katty has said.
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Old 08-18-2010, 02:57 AM   #4
verymissberry
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

Thanks, it hard seeing her struggle and wanting her to be more active. I can't believe two years has passed so quickly and she has taken a down turn at such a rapid rate.
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Old 08-18-2010, 03:03 AM   #5
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

As long as she is happy and todding around and eating I would let her go on but when she see she is not that is the time to help her on the path to bridge. This is the last great gift you can give - to let them go in peace. You have to be brave to make the choice though and you must do it selflessly so that you don't keep her just for yourself. I hope she has some time left and you can enjoy her twilight times with you. Spoil her now - she deserves it.
Maybe some sort food like babyfood or porridge offered on a teaspoon would be enjoyed?
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Old 08-19-2010, 08:47 AM   #6
verymissberry
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

Quote:
Originally Posted by souffle View Post
As long as she is happy and todding around and eating I would let her go on but when she see she is not that is the time to help her on the path to bridge. This is the last great gift you can give - to let them go in peace. You have to be brave to make the choice though and you must do it selflessly so that you don't keep her just for yourself. I hope she has some time left and you can enjoy her twilight times with you. Spoil her now - she deserves it.
Maybe some sort food like babyfood or porridge offered on a teaspoon would be enjoyed?
Just been out and bought broccoli and some baby porridge, just got to wait for her get up. She is sleeping all day now, but is still very active from 1am onwards. I thought I'd put her in my bedroom to keep an eye on her and I got next to no sleep last night. She was on her spinner, tearing up loo rolls and has moved half her bed from her house to the corner of her cage ( bit weird), she ate some food and two treat I left out. So she seems chipper still.
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Old 08-19-2010, 08:57 AM   #7
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

I send my best wishes to your lil girl, she will not suffer and you'll know when its the right time to let her go.
Keep her close and give her plenty of cuddles, i'm glad shes doing well x
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Old 08-21-2010, 05:58 AM   #8
verymissberry
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

Just taken her to a different vets a friend recommended and he was so positive. He said it is a fatty/cyst or a soft lump and it needs to come out. She's going under on monday, which is very scary. He said he will try and draw it first and if this doesn't work remove it.
He said as she is perky and in excellent condition it would be good to try. He said if left she would eventually not be able to hold food or walk.
He said nothing negative and reassured me, though I guess it is always a worry on an animal so small. It is going to cost me a fortune, that is the down side, but at least we feel like we are trying.
After the last vet, pretty much said he didn't know what it was, these guys were good and well equipt for micro surgery. He said they operate on things smaller than winter white hamsters.

Am I doing the right thing? I know everyone has been so positive so far and I know she is old, but she seems so active otherwise.
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Old 08-21-2010, 06:08 AM   #9
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

Hmm, I personally wouldn't put her in for an operation. My current vets normally leave anything they think is a fatty lump, as it doesn't cause the animal any discomfort. They also really discourage operations on hamsters over 18 months old, as the success rate is so low. My last vets would give anything a go, but I ended up moving away from them as this approach made me feel a bit uncomfortable, like they were putting the money they'd get for doing the op above what was actually best for the animal.

Unfortunately it is easy to be objective about someone else's hamster, but in all honsety I wouldn't have my own 2 year old hammy operated on.

I hope everything goes OK for Chloe though
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Old 08-21-2010, 09:11 AM   #10
verymissberry
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Default Re: Ill Winter White

Quote:
Originally Posted by internet_nobody View Post
Hmm, I personally wouldn't put her in for an operation. My current vets normally leave anything they think is a fatty lump, as it doesn't cause the animal any discomfort. They also really discourage operations on hamsters over 18 months old, as the success rate is so low. My last vets would give anything a go, but I ended up moving away from them as this approach made me feel a bit uncomfortable, like they were putting the money they'd get for doing the op above what was actually best for the animal.

Unfortunately it is easy to be objective about someone else's hamster, but in all honsety I wouldn't have my own 2 year old hammy operated on.

I hope everything goes OK for Chloe though
Now I'm worried, my hamster didn't act old and if the lump is left it will affect her quality of life as it is getting quite big. So it might not be long before she can play and even hold her own food.
The vet seemed nice, but when I go on monday I will check again. It seems its common to operate on hamsters in Asian countries, but not in the UK.
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