Clarissa - Page 5

Pebbles82 · 08-20-2021, 06:28 AM

Such a nerve-wracking day - I remember the feeling. Costs identical to mine by the way (it included meds as well). I know what you mean about not needing the biopsy - in a way, whether it is cancer or not, the important thing is knowing it was removed successfully with no signs of spread.

Ria P · 08-20-2021, 08:04 AM

Glad to report that Clarissa came through the surgery ok and all went according to plan.

The vet removed the mass which was on the left side and performed a bit of "plastic surgery" by removing excess skin without tightening it too much.

Clarissa looks dishevelled and somewhat shrunk post op. The mass was large and added to her bodymass visually as well. She was buzzing about high on drugs, had a long drink, got some food and disappeared into a hide.

Her hospital cage is in our bedroom, away from the noisy hamsters and the smell and view of her cage. It's raised on books each side with a snugglesafe heatpad inbetween.

I can't thank you people here enough for helping us through these fraught times and for all the advice given that helped me to be as prepared as i can be.

I'm lucky to live only 4 miles from the 24hr animal hospital so can act quickly should complications arise.

Pebbles82 · 08-20-2021, 10:19 AM

Great news! Although there's a risk to surgery, most hams these days do fine. I was really surprised how quickly Pickle bounced back. Assume she's on Metacam now?

flowerfairy · 08-20-2021, 10:26 AM

Glad she has come through the op. Hope she gets well very soon x

Ria P · 08-20-2021, 11:58 AM

Yes, she had a metacam jab and from tomorrow 0.01ml which is a very small dose but she's a mouse sized hamster. She looks rough though but eats and drinks fine. Honestly, she looks like a sewer rat. Sorry rats. Her next vet check up is on Sunday morning.

Pebbles82 · 08-20-2021, 01:06 PM

Maybe it’s after having antiseptic on her or something. I’m sure she’ll fluff up soon! Our Robo looked like that when he was on antibiotics - went very greasy and gaunt looking.

Ria P · 08-20-2021, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Maybe it’s after having antiseptic on her or something. I’m sure she’ll fluff up soon! Our Robo looked like that when he was on antibiotics - went very greasy and gaunt looking.

Yes, of course. Why didn't i think of that. That also explains the extensive grooming. I think the stitches won't let her bend over properly so she was lying on her side grooming her lower half doing some weird contorsions which had me worried.

Ria P · 08-21-2021, 10:56 AM

Clarissa has always been a hamster to sleep in odd places and never one to hide away.

The hospital cage is no exception and has hides to choose from but Clarissa chooses to sleep behind a hide.

She took her 0.1ml metacam (cat one) on a piece of Shreddie just like Edwina did. The nurse phoned to enquire about her, i had Clarissa out briefly on her flannel and we spend time chatting to her when she's awake.
She looks more herself today.

Got one surprise though. Usually placid and happy dwarf Betsy objects to Clarissa's presence in "her" bedroom she shares with the humans. Betsy has been very attention seeking, climbing her door, demanding to be let out and seeking out our hands. She's a hamster who likes hands so we make sure to pay her extra attention. She has to put up with Clarissa a few more days and that's just that.

Pebbles82 · 08-21-2021, 02:13 PM

Aw. Maybe she just likes a corner. I really noticed the Metacam wearing off with Pickle if you remember so he’d perk up later in the evening after his day’s dose kicked in.

Interesting about Betsy - maybe it’s interesting for her as well. Either a bit of jealousy/attention seeking or just copying? I remember my two Syrians being in sync for a while! But Moo was a bit institutionalised so seemed to come out when pickle did and copy.

Ria P · 08-22-2021, 04:17 AM

Just seen the vet for the post op check up and more details on the surgery.

There was a large mass on the thyroid so the mass and the thyroid gland were removed.
There's a small mass on the other side which was too risky to remove because of the parathyroid needed to produce calcium.

The vet advised to keep Clarissa in the hospital cage for 10 days to ensure that the wound is fully healed and to continue with the 5 days post op metacam.

The vet couldn't give me a prognosis on hamsters living without a thyroid gland but statistics on cats were available. I've never been interested in statistics so declined.

All i can hope for now is that Clarissa makes a full recovery and that the other mass doesn't grow or at least grows slow enough to give her a few months of a normal hamster life.

She's been shaky since i put her in the transport box and the vet suggested not to make the second follow up appt unless there is reason for concern because it is causing her stress.

It's an awful lot for someone so small to cope with, physically and mentally.

The 10 days hospital cage advice seems excessive but luckily Clarissa has never been a great fan of wheels and the bin cage is big enough to swap toys over or to add different, safe ones. I'll use my own common sense on that one.