Pickle's Thread - Page 34

Ria P · 09-19-2021, 12:22 PM

Why do you still have car park consultations?
I've been allowed in the consultation room as long as i wear a mask for quite a while now.

I think that they don't know what is causing the eye to portrude so can't give a diagnosis or a prognosis.

With a human they'd do a CT scan to find out what is happening behind the eye. My vet surgery has a CT scanner but i don't know if it could be used on someone as small as a hamster.

Maybe you could have a telephone consultation with the exotics vet to get his opinion?

Pebbles82 · 09-19-2021, 12:32 PM

I think you're right. They don't know - which is maybe why I got three separate pieces of info/advice which was rather confusing. And not enough information about leaving the eye as it is meanwhile. I've posted on Just Answer and a vet answered and said the eye can stay as it is and he can stay on Metacam and they wouldn't pts unless he was clearly declining and suffering. Which was my gut feeling.

Really helpful info. She said - the white spot could be a healed ulcer which is a common eye issue. And they wouldn't remove the eye unless it was leading to more infection or causing pain (which it doesn't seem to be and he is on Metacam). She suggested they might do x rays to see if it's a tooth causing the problem as that can lead to an eye ulcer.

So wondering if a scan would show a tooth root issue as well, as that would also show if there was a tumour. But basically I think it's a case of letting him be on Metacam as he seems well.

Pebbles82 · 09-19-2021, 12:44 PM

She said an x ray is usually better for showing head, orbit and roots and an abscess or tumour would usually show up. Which would need sedation. A scan only useful to show a possible abscess behind the eye.

That was worth more than the vet consultation fee and cheaper. Anyway maybe I'm just worrying over the week-end but I now know I don't need to worry about the eye being left as it is for now, because I was left with a lot of confusion about that on Thursday.

Our vets are doing normal consultations, with masks, but we're still shielding. Usually it's been a good phone call first, then handing the hamster over, then another phone call with the vet to discuss, then the hamster brought out with any meds discussed. This last time (new vet) she just came out and talked in a mask and I think had consulted someone else and wasn't quite sure what to say. Next day she spoke to exotic vet and said it was only a brief conversation and she'd said eye would need to be removed.

Then left over the week-end without a plan! So just messages passed on from two vets (one of whom hadn't seen Pickle) via a third. I guess that happens with urgent appointments sometimes.

All clarified now though. The eye actually doesn't look that bad, I was just worried it might rot or something if dry. I hope the swelling goes down - it's on his head area above the eye. But if it is a tooth abscess it could take at least a week for the antibiotics to start working (based on human tooth abscesses!).

Ria P · 09-19-2021, 02:54 PM

What is Just Answer?

Yes, it can take a while for the antibiotics to work.
Is he eating his hamster mix ok? Just wondering if he'd be eating hard food with a tooth abcess.

Talking of food. I couldn't get the Ella's strawberry porridge so bought the banana one. Rodney loved it.

Pebbles82 · 09-19-2021, 03:16 PM

Ooh I didn't know they did a banana one! Will check that out. Just Answer is one of those online things where you ask a question of a verified specialist in a certain subject. For a one off fee. Fee varies depending on how quick you want an answer and in how much detail. Hit and miss but some are very good. So basically it was a vet who replied. If I'd seen the exotic vet last week I'd probably have had all the answers straight away.

Pebbles82 · 09-20-2021, 05:34 AM

So off to pick up some more Baytril. It ran out last night and didn’t get a full dose out of it. This time they’re going to put it in a pot so it’s easier to draw up without wastage (ie draw up too much, tap out bubbles then squirt some back in to get the right dose). Receptionist said after 5pm. I said needs to be earlier as it’s run out, next dose due at 5pm and it takes us an hour to get back. She said well really we need 48 hours but I’ll make an exception so we’re picking it up at 3pm. Felt like saying - well if I’d had a bit more in the first place …..! But didn’t.

Vet phoned back again to see how Pickle is. Said she’d spoken to another senior vet again who said it’s fine to leave the eye if it doesn’t bother him with surgery being risky at his age but she still hasn’t heard back from exotic vet (who hasn’t actually seen Pickle).

I think basically the new vet is junior and not exotics trained hence all the confusion and varying advice. I’d already got the info from online vet yesterday anyway.

Pebbles82 · 09-20-2021, 05:49 AM

Just wondering if I should book an appointment with the exotic vet anyway. She only seems to be there on Wednesdays and Fridays (only part time). Because I’d get a definitive decision then as to whether to have the eye removed or not and his condition for surgery. But then it means taking Pickle back to the vets possibly twice. Mind you he bounced back well after the last visit. Although was a bit huffy with me.

Coco61 · 09-20-2021, 09:53 AM

Did you get the Baytril ok. Long way to go when you were not given enough to start with.
Pickle needed more quite clearly
Just Answer vet advice sounded reassuring

Pebbles82 · 09-20-2021, 11:07 AM

Yes thanks - back in time to give this afternoon's dose

I put it out about 4pm and it's usually gone by 6pm - I think the beefy smell wakes him up!

I watched the nightcam video from last night (showed Pip and Pickle's cages) and Pickle is very active and using his wheel so I'm not too worried about him. Maybe the Metacam is helping or maybe he isn't feeling bad anyway.

Decided to hang fire thinking about what next till he's finished the antibiotics. Then think whether or not to have a consultation with the exotic vet - who will give clear guidance and choices.

Ria P · 09-20-2021, 11:23 AM

Well, the thing is that the exotics vet can't see inside Pickle's head either so won't be able to tell what's going on behind the eye. She may have come across a similar situation before though and may have a better idea of the likely outcome.

I so totally understand your dilemma about how to proceed because i was in a similar situation with Clarissa. No one could tell what was going on inside her until they opened her up and things were a lot worse than expected or hoped for.

I think that what you are looking for is for a vet to tell you that the eye won't rupture or get pushed out of its socket if left in. I apologise for being so crass but i think that this is your main worry, especially living an hours drive away from an emergency vet. Maybe i'm totally wrong but that would be my main concern. Luckily, i'm only 5m away from a 24hrs animal hospital and because of that would be able to get help quickly. Partly for that reason, i wouldn't opt for surgery if Pickle were my 2 year old hamster. I would continue with the Metacam and let him live out his life for as long as he comfortably can.

I really really feel for you. I'm sure that Pickle could cope with another visit to the exotics vet. Maybe you should take him so you can convince yourself that you have done everything possible for Pickle. Everybody else knows that you can't do anymore but it can be very hard to make ourselves believe that.

I'm still thinking that Clarissa would still be here if i hadn't opted for the surgery and i still feel that i cut her life short.