To support surgery for hamster.

[LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood]

DD1 (19) has a female Syrian hamster. Slightly under 2 years old. Much loved pet. In excellent physical condition generally. On Saturday she started bleeding from her “rear”. Took her to vet who diagnosed a uterine infection (older female hamsters are prone to them). Gave antibiotics and painkillers. Advised, on balance, surgery to remove uterus as the infection is very likely to return. Scheduled for 2pm today provisionally. But vet is going to have a conversation with DD1 when she gets there to make final decision as he wasn’t available to talk on phone this morning and the out of hours vet who saw us on Saturday is not the rodent specialist. Hamster quite well in herself. Eating as normal and still enjoying being handled (she is very sociable). Life expectancy for Syrians is up to about 3 years. Vet said if she had been much older than 2 he’d advise low dose antibiotics and painkillers as palliative care essentially. If younger then surgery the best course. She is on the cusp of the age for surgery. Hamster seems really to enjoy her life and is very much loved. The vet is a rodent specialist. But there is a risk she won’t survive surgery. Blood loss can happen quickly and cause death in a matter of a minute. DD1 is quite vulnerable emotionally (is in recovery from serious illness herself) and is looking to me for support/guidance. She and I are veering towards surgery as the best chance of a life free of discomfort for DH (dear hamster!). Even though she might not survive. We just want to do what is best for her.

Am I being unreasonable to support surgery?

Please be kind. Hamster is much loved. And has also provided a source of comfort to DD over some difficult times.

Don't do the surgery, I say that as the owner of an equally adored syrian. Surgery on such tiny bodies is a massive undertaking and unlikely to result in a good outcome, I'm incredibly surprised a vet even suggested it given that recovery time will be at least 3-6 months which will take your hamster well within life expectancy. It's not ok to do such a massive surgery this late in the game and risk the animal spending the rest of his life in pain from the intervention.

Antibiotics to treat the infection and painkillers in the short term is a much kinder option and if the hamster is fine in himself, although they mask pain really well, it would suggest surgical intervention isn't needed.

Are you guys on the hamsters UK facebook group? I'd ask on there, there's some experts who will be able to give you much more tailored advice who've been through the same thing.

Don't do the surgery, I say that as the owner of an equally adored syrian. Surgery on such tiny bodies is a massive undertaking and unlikely to result in a good outcome, I'm incredibly surprised a vet even suggested it given that recovery time will be at least 3-6 months

An vet that specialises in exotics can very successfully perform surgery. Both my girls recovered fully within two weeks from the same surgery.

I would be guided by the advice of the vet who is the rodent specialist.

I didn't even know hamster surgery was a thing?
I hope whatever you decide is a happy outcome for all.

Delay the decision. See how well she does on painkillers and antibiotics. If she's happy on them, then don't risk it.

I would go for it. My 5 year old guinea pig had surgery last year - I didn’t think she’d survive. She’s still going strong now.

If she’s otherwise healthy, there’s no more risk than to a younger animal.

@Ihopeyourcakeisshit I didn't even know hamster surgery was a thing?

You’d be amazed!! This area of medicine has come so far. I’ve had numerous hamsters go through surgery successfully. The vet that operated on my last hamster had performed surgery on a goldfish the week before!

They have very safe gas that puts them under very gently and brings them up very quickly. Tiny little instruments and clips. Little sutures. It’s amazing.

Be aware that 3 years is an exceptionally good age for a Syrian.
2-2.5 years is more likely. So your hamster really is only likely to have a few months left, even if surgery is successful. And small furries don't have great outcomes post-op.
There's a shot - that the surgery is good, decent recovery, potters on for another 12 months. You may want to take it. But the odds of death within the next 6 months are high anyway.
I understand though. Hamsters are adorable. (had 5 of them)

@BumbleBiscuit Goldfish surgery?

Just out of interest ... how much will it cost?

we had 2 gerbils who survived surgery over 20 years ago for removals of growths. They survived and lived for another couple of years.
If the vet recommends and you are aware of the dangers, I would recommend going for it.

20 years ago the operation for our gerbils cost £15. more than they cost, but they were family

I have always taken the view that if they have a good quality of life and seem happy otherwise it’s worth taking the chance.

We spent a fair amount on jaw surgery for a Guinea Pig (who lived a few weeks longer) and later a rabbit who were both very elderly. Another GP was given surgery for cancer but was euthanised during the op as it was hopeless.

You can only do what you think is best. Hope it goes well

We had to make a similar decision on one of our hamsters a few years ago.

The vet looked relieved when I questioned whether it was a good idea. It can be done, but there's always that grey area of the animal's wellbeing over the wants of the humans around them. A well-cared for Syrian is within life expectancy at 2 years, and although you could probably expect another few months, its a rare one that gets to 3.

Talk through the procedure with the vet, and be guided by them as to recovery times, risks, complications etc.

I'd think of your DD as well. It's not going to be great for her if Hammy dies of the infection, but will it be worse for her if she dies of something you 'did? I.e on the table or worse, never really recovers or has complications. At the moment, this is natural causes you are working to treat - and that may be kinder long term to them both than an intervention that goes wrong.

Obviously you take the advice of the vet but generally in health care you try the less invasive treatments before progressing to surgery so might it be reasonable to give the medication route a chance for a period of time to see how she does?

I think that’s what I would prefer. Surgery is painful and has to have a negative impact on the animal’s quality of life as they recover.

You do sound very lovely and I hope it works out for the best.

You have to do what is best for the animal. In this case, I think keeping the hamster pain free and letting it live out it's natural lifespan is the best option, rather than an operation.

There is a risk to rodents of an anaesthetic, we have the same with guinea pigs from time to time if we get a fostered pig neutered. I'd honestly go with what the vet recommends as he's a rodent specialist from what you've said. We've always done that as a decent vet has their best interests at heart and it takes some of the pressure off you when it's really stressful already.

Wishing your little hamster 🐹 and daughter all the best.

Honestly, go ahead with the surgery.

In the worst case scenario, dying under aneasthetic is not a bad way to go.

Much more likely she'll do very well and you'll get many more months of cuddles and fun.

@bloodyhairy

I don't think I'd do it. Our guinea pig didn't survive neutering just the other week. And he was considerably larger than a hamster. Good luck with whatever you decide

I'm sorry to hear that

Still pondering. I do much appreciate the difference in view and thank you to those who have shared their own experiences (and sometimes losses). DD is speaking to the vet at 2pm. He is very nice.

In answer to the question about cost - its £130 for the op.

It is tricky the surgery would be best providing she recovered.
Whatever you decide I hope it goes well.

I wouldn't go for surgery on a middle aged hamster. However lovely individual vets are, they work for a business and operating on small animals is very profitable but the risk it will die is quite high. You wil then feel guilty. While the hamster seems happy and alert just keep it at home and go for palliative care.

Personally, I would PTS while showing no pain. I wouldn't opt for surgery on such a small creature, and I wouldn't prolong with treatment either. I think we owe it to the small fluffies to make the right decision based on them, not us. It's hard though.
This conundrum is why I am immensely glad to only keep pets that don't ever require vet treatment. It's so hard when faced with the life or death decision!

Update. Rodent specialist vet has now seen hamster. He’s not actually sure it is a uterine infection. Not really a definite diagnosis. Bleeding has stopped. And given she continues to be very perky (she was eating and hopping about even whilst bleeding profusely!) he has recommended continuing with the antibiotics for a week and reviewing things then. So no life or death decisions today!

Thank you all so much for your wisdom and kindness.

Fingers crossed that she's not going to need surgery then. Good news.