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Elaine's Avatar
Catsey Veteran
 
Cats owned: 2 moggies
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 15,256
02-01-2008, 01:35 PM   #1

Jane, some hamster help please


Indy will have to go to the vets tomorrow, she has a big lunp in her chest area, I am worried that it might be a tumour, she is around a year and a half old now. Her eyes are still bright, she is still active and eating well.
If it is a tumour, the hamsterlopedia says most are benign and can be removed surgically. Now i dont want to sound heartless here coz i do love her to bits but is it really worth putting such a small creature through surgery?
The lump feels firm to the touch.



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alexgirl73's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 lovely boys and a beautiful girl
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Telford UK
Posts: 10,652
02-01-2008, 01:47 PM   #2

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


oh dear Elaine. My friend had this with her hammie, and as you say, not to sound cruel, but she wishes she hadn't. Took her to the vets (the same ones that wanted to put Teddie TS) and they convinced her to have it operated on, the poor wee thing came through the surgery then dies 2 days later from infection. She was out of pocket to over £100 and she felt that it had suffered needlessly, she wante the vet to put ITS when she first went, but he talked her round!!!



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Elaine's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 moggies
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Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
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02-01-2008, 01:54 PM   #3

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


This is what i worry about Alex, not so much the cost although it is obviously a factor coz i am not rich by any stretch but I do have this beleif in giving animals every chance of life I can. But in such a small creature it scares me and perhaps it would be kinder to let her go.
She is not a handleable hamster as you all know so things are not going to be easy for her and probably more stressful at the end of the day.



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alexgirl73's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 lovely boys and a beautiful girl
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02-01-2008, 02:01 PM   #4

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


You have to go with your instinct on ths one Elaine I think. The problem with tumours and small animals, is that once they have one, they tend to have more. Thinking of you ((hugs))



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Elaine's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 moggies
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02-01-2008, 05:32 PM   #5

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


Thanx Alex



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Jac Jac is offline
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Cats owned: Raggie and BSH
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Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 11,575
02-01-2008, 05:42 PM   #6

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


elaine this is a hard one. Every living creature has the right to live a good life. You have given her a fantastic life but as you say she is a small animal.
There is a school of thought that once you opperate on cancer it spreads. I tend to agree with that due to past experiances with animals and people.
I would see what your vet says. You'll do the right thing by her I know. ((((((((())))))))) Hugs.



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Elaine's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 moggies
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Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 15,256
02-01-2008, 05:44 PM   #7

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


Thanx Jac, I feel terrible that I didnt notice anything sooner but while she still has some quality of life, I may leave her be for a bit, will see what the vet has to say.



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Jac Jac is offline
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Cats owned: Raggie and BSH
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02-01-2008, 05:57 PM   #8

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


Elaine these things can happen over night!! and as you say you cant really handle her. It would be different if you cuddled her every day and didn't notice. Stop being daft!!!
Let us know what the Vet say's. You'll be guided by him/her.



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Grete's Avatar
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Cats owned: Owned BY Bubbles & Fizz (fem dsh)
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Nottingham, UK
Posts: 1,888
03-01-2008, 08:09 AM   #9

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


Sorry to hear about Indy Elaine

Not an easy choice but I think you have the right instinct.
Quantity of life and quality are two different things and I honestly think quality is the more important of the two.

*hugs*



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Elaine's Avatar
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Cats owned: 2 moggies
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Location: Aberdeen, Scotland
Posts: 15,256
03-01-2008, 08:18 PM   #10

Re: Jane, some hamster help please


Indy is gone



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