Mushu the Fluffy

[cypher]

Some hams & some conditions respond to antibiotics much faster than others so there's no way of knowing really & I don't want to second guess your vet, if it was my ham I think I would just wait & see how he goes, if he seems better before finishing the meds then maybe ring the vet & ask for their opinion on whether to finish the course or not.

[AprilPearl]

Thanks Cypher. When we were at the vets, they said to carry on giving it for the full 3 weeks even if he had stopped snuffling before then. They said it was "belt and braces" because sometimes little animals hide the extent of their illness. If he does get better, will it hurt to still give him the antibiotics until the course ends?

[BorisPasha]

Originally Posted by AprilPearl

REPLIESBorisPasha: The vet didn't mention a follow up appointment, but she did say to bring him straight back in if he deteriorates. As if I needed telling that! I feel as though I should have asked for a follow up now, but I wasn't thinking straight. The antibiotics are meant to last for 3 weeks so I may bring him in again once that period of time is over. Then again, I don't want to stress him out. It's a tough one.

I didn't mean to suggest you should have made a follow up appointment so sorry if it came across that way I just wondered if the vet had given any advice about a return visit.

I'm glad to hear you managed to get the antibiotics in via syringe. I know it feels horrible having to force it on them but like you say it has to be done, just tell him it's for his own good

I'm sure he'll get back to his house once he's settled again after his vet visit. It's good to hear he's not lost any weight either, I'm sure Mushu will be fighting it every step of the way with your help

[flowerfairy]

If it was me and I had been advised by the vet to give 3 weeks worth of antibiotics that is what I would do.

I am sure your shining star will soon be well again. It is surprisingly common in small animals. Lots of love to your little sweetie and lots of non worrying vibes to you.

[Thin Lizzy]

AprilPearl, you are a wonderful caring person who loves Mushu so much. You totally dote on him and vice versa. Anyone reading this thread knows that.
You're not a bad owner, these things can happen and you got him to the vet, it can be stressful for them but, you know you did the right thing doing so, these antibiotics can affect their digestive systen so continue with the probiotics and give him some baby food, I recommend Cow N Gate's Baby Cauliflower Cheese, Pumpkin Chicken, Sunday Lunch. Heinz's Broccoli Cauliflower Cheese, Carrot & Sweet Potato and Peas & Courgette.
When I've had hamsters on antibiotics they've enjoyed these. I agree with the vet about using all of the antibiotics, I've been advised that in the past and it's always helped going that bit longer.
Just ensure he's got extra warmth, extra toilet paper bedding and keep an eye.
I like the others wish your wonderful fluffy boy a speedy recovery. Sending Extra Big Hugs xxx

[AprilPearl]

FAMILY MEANS NOBODY GETS LEFT BEHIND

A quote by someone much wiser than myself popped into my head just now:


“Ohana means family. Family means nobody gets left behind.”

Yeah, alright. That was Lilo from Lilo & Stitch. Or, more technically, Disney. But, its provenance doesn’t make the message any less true - no matter how small said family member is physically. Mushu may only be 120g, but he is already a big part of my family and I am not prepared to leave him behind yet; or to let him leave me behind, for that matter.

This morning, I went out to buy him cat food & baby food which I believe are safe in flavours I hope he will enjoy. I got these:

Applaws meat multipack: https://fetch.co.uk/applaws-cat-pouc...MyexoCIOrw_wcB

Lilys kitchen curious kitten chicken dinner: https://www.lilyskitchen.co.uk/produ...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Lilys kitchen whisker lickin chicken: https://www.lilyskitchen.co.uk/produ...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Cow & gate carrot and lamb hotpot: Carrot & lamb hotpot - Cow & Gate

Hipp sweet squash and chicken: https://www.ocado.com/webshop/produc...herCode=&dnr=y

With a bit of luck, at least one of them will mask the medicine’s flavour.

Thanks BorisPasha and flowerfairy. I will keep him on the antibiotics for the full 3 weeks. I know this is morbid, but there is a little voice in my head which is saying “If he lasts that long”. I hope I don’t come across as all pessimistic doom and gloom. It’s just that I had a guinea pig who had cancer and went downhill so quickly the vets couldn’t save him. And Mushu is so tiny. Again, your kindness is much appreciated.

ThinLizzy Ah wish I had read this before buying the baby food I did! I am sure I saw some of the baby foods you mentioned, but I didn’t buy any. I will see how he likes the ones I already got for for him, and if he won't eat them I will start on your list. Thank you for the reccommendations and also your lovely words of comfort.

[dreamtree1234]

AprilPearl, I am so sorry to hear that your guinea pig went to the Rainbow Bridge, but please don't let your heart go through the anxiety that Mushu is going to have the same fate as your beloved and departed guinea pig. I know that it is extremely hard not to let yourself be fearful and begin anticipating the worst after you had lost another furry friend in the past, but try your best to remember that they have totally different circumstances. Mushu has a cold, you got him to the vet promptly, and he should recover fully in no time. You are an AMAZING hammy mum, and I am absolutely confident that you will ensure that he has his antibiotics. I would also suggest that he take it for the entire period that the vet suggested just to be sure that he is completely cured of his cold and there are no other hidden symptoms that might be unknown to you. As far as giving it to him via a syringe, I know that it was very tramatic to you to have to do it this way, but just keep telling yourself that you love him and that is why you are doing it. Hopefully, he will begin taking his meds more willingly, but regardless he has to take them. Don't ever second guess yourself because you are doing everything you can because of love. You are a wonderful, loving mum, and Mushu knows and loves you for it! I will be definitely keeping my fingers crossed that he will begin eating his meds via his food and/or treats, and he will get better very, very soon. Take care and know that we are all here for you through it all. You and Mushu are in our thoughts, and we will continue to wish him well. We are sending you both extra huge hugs your way.

[SKB_Hamsters]

I'm sorry to hear Mushu is unwell, but don't think you are bad owner as it very clear how much you love Mushu and you aren't to blame as you have taken him to the vets and have got him medicine. Its is very hard and stressful when they are unwell not to blame yourself but try to remain positive as hamsters are very good fighters.

Baytril is a difficult medicine to give a hamster as they detest the taste, I remember when I had to give it to my Sherbet when I first tried giving it to her in a syringe she swiped it away from her mouth, my vets said to disguise it in Ribena or a fruit juice but she wouldn't take it - in the end I had to bribe her with some crushed walnut or a little bit of natural peanut butter on the end of the syringe. I'm hoping that the cat food and baby food that you have bought will help Mushu take his medicine.

I have my fingers crossed that Mushu will make a full speedy recovery.

[AprilPearl]

FIRST TASTE OF BABY FOOD

Although he has had his Baytril for today, this evening I thought I'd try Mushu on some babyfood in order to gauge whether or not it might help get him to take his medicine in future. It was Hipp sweet squash and chicken. He had a few nibbles, but was visibly more enthusiastic about the porridge I offered him straight after. Unfortunately, however, I have already tried spiking his porridge with Baytril and obviously this did not fool him. Of course, his absolute favourite foods are sunflower seeds, closely followed by pumpkin seeds - but I can hardly conceal medication in them.



Mushu was very cuddly this evening and happy to be held. Ordinarily, I'd be happy about this, but under the circumstances it concerns me. I'd actually prefer that he was bouncing off the walls right now. But, I hope that I am just second guessing him.

He hasn't had floor time for the past two days as I've decided no more roaming until he has this strength completely back. I do know that he spent a goodly proportion of last night on his wheel, so he is getting exercise on his own terms. I hope that's a good sign.

Once again, thank you dreamtree and SKB. You honestly have made me feel a lot better. I'm glad that you don't think I am a bad owner, too. I am trying my best and hoping and praying that it pays off.

[AprilPearl]

MEDICATION TAKE 2

This morning, I tried spiking one of Mushu's favourites, mashed banana, with Baytril. No luck, I'm afraid. In the end, we resorted to the syringe feeding method again. It really upset him and I feel terrible. I wish I could explain to him why we are pumping him full of icky stuff. I am so so so so so scared that doing this for 3 weeks will give him wet tail. Can that happen?

I haven't tried lacing baby food or wet cat food yet, so I guess those are both options to try in future. I just thought that I had had a brain wave with the banana and it was guaranteed to work. I guess not.

Mushu hasn't taken much of the mix I put into his bowl yesterday. Part of me worries that's because he is sick. But, then the other half is saying it's probably because I have been giving him so many treats to try and calm him down - which he continues to eat. After his medicine today, he had baby food, porridge, banana plus a few sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Yeah. Just writing that list makes me see I am overfeeding the treats. I didn't realise quite how much I was feeding before. Time to cut back, I think.

Also, he was running on his wheel last night again. That's encouraging, right?

Oh, side note. Today is my 19th birthday. To be honest, I have been so preoccupied by Mushu being sick that I haven't thought about it at all. The irony of it is that Mushu was meant to be my (granted, early) birthday present. So, I knew it was coming up at the back of my mind but it was a shock this morning when my mum wished me a happy birthday. In hamster years, I'm only about 6 months old!