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Dwarf Hammy dying :(

7 replies

AlwaysaLittleBitTired · 11/05/2018 12:24

I think our robo is nearing the end :(. I don't know whether to let nature take its course, or call the vet for an appointment. Help please?

She has had a cheek abscess for 2 weeks, which I have been treating with baytril oral antibiotics for 10 days (finished that course 2 days ago). She is so tiny (20g in weight) so it has been extremely difficult to be sure that she has been ingesting the 0.01ml of fluid required daily. However, I have done this every day for 10 days and I thought she had perked up a bit even though the abscess is no smaller (and not burst). She was still eating and drinking up until yesterday late afternoon, and the there is no sign that she has had anything since then.

She has slowed down a lot over the last 24 hours or so, and last night as I was checking her and giving food I noticed blood coming from her bottom. There was quite a bit dotted around the cage and I cleaned a fair bit from her fur around her tail. I can't see any injury and I saw her have a wee, which looked clear, so I am fairly certain it is coming from internally through her bottom.

I don't think she has moved from the same corner of her cage since yesterday evening, and although I can't see any fresh blood I don't want to disturb her to check her bottom.

To me it looks as though she is on her way. I don't want to frighten her and cause more suffering, but on the other hand I wonder if I should take her to the vet in case there is something they can do.

This is our first small creature pet, I am used to dogs/cats normally (although not for a few years) so am unsure really as to what a reasonable thing to do would be. It's so sad to see her like this...

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Smallinthesmoke · 11/05/2018 12:39

I am so sorry. It is awful isn't it?
I would ring the vet and try to take her in. In a similar circumstance my gerbil was clearly very unwell (not scrabbling around like he loved to), and she very gently injected him and he died. I had the option of being in the same room or she offered to do it in another room- took about one minute or less. It seems like the kindest thing to do. She was able to tell things I couldn't, for example his temperature was low and she thought he might have died that day anyway.
Is there a vet you can call?

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MrsMozart · 11/05/2018 12:41

I'm so sorry.

I'd call the vet. It sounds like the end is very close naturally, but the vet will have a better idea.

Sending you a handhold.

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AlwaysaLittleBitTired · 11/05/2018 15:08

Thanks to both of you. I checked on her after posting and rang the vet, then took her in. I had to make the decision whilst there to let her go...

It was awful, but she was so poorly. She nestled into my hand and didn't even open her eyes when I took her out of her home. They put her on a hot water bottle and puffed oxygen at her, but she wasn't responsive.

Thanks for the support. x