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Small pets

Should I take hamster back to Vets......

4 replies

MarnieMadden · 27/03/2013 10:37

to get PTS? He saw the vet 4 weeks ago as he had a lump, 2p piece sized, on his back. Vet said it was just a cyst, and as hamster was nearly 2 he didn't think it would benefit him having it operated on. Hamster has been more or less himself until Sunday just gone, he seems to have gone off his food and water, lost weight and just stays in his bedding rather than come to the bars of his cage for treats like he always used to. Is it worth the trauma of taking him back to the vets to get him pts, if he is going to go naturally himself in the next few days? He doesn't seem to be in pain, just seems very frail all of a sudden.

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willyoulistentome · 27/03/2013 10:43

If it was me I would probaby leave him. As you say - the trip to the vets would be very stressfull for him. Poor hammy!! Sad

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MarnieMadden · 27/03/2013 10:55

Thanks. He just seems to want to sleep more, I do think putting him in his box and taking him on bus is going to stress him out, I'd rather he went in his own little bed! He's a lovely little chap, I just wouldn't like to think of him suffering.

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 27/03/2013 12:47

(Not a hammy person but I've had lots of guineas)

The vet said it was a cyst (so non-malignant) .Rodents do get fatty lumps, if they are getting in the way of their daily life then ,yes, it's kindest to PTS (one of my mice years ago developed a lump, she got stuck in all her tubes and boxes which distressed her.So we had to let her go)

My guineas have always just "went"

If he's not eating,drinking (and it's on offer and he can reach it) and he's sleeping more- it sounds like he's winding down really.

No idea about the temperature for hamsters- is he warm enough?

I'm in agreement that unless he's in pain that you cannot relieve or his quality of life is poor, then a vet trip would be stressful.
Hopefully he'll slip away quietly at home, in his bed.

Sad

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MarnieMadden · 27/03/2013 12:59

My son has put extra bedding in for him - he sleeps in his room, so its always nice and warm! He doesn't seem to be in pain or distressed at all, I think it's been more upsetting for us seeing him becoming so frail so quickly. He's got a lovely little nature, and he's going to be missed.
Thanks for all the advice.

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