Page 2 | To not know how to use a vet??

Rainbowbrite82 · 2023-07-17T22:20:19+00:00

DD’s beloved hamster is 2 years old and a bit out of sorts. Not coming out of her bed much, and if she does go in her ball (which she normally loves) she doesn’t go far in it, just finds a dark corner to sit in - whereas she used to scoot around the room on a loop. Noticed she struggles to climb up her ramp a little so I’m not sure if she’s got a leg problem. Anyway, we’ve never taken her to a vet as we’ve never needed to but I’d like her checked out. Do I just choose any random vet and book an appointment? Is it going to cost a fortune just for a check up??

Original poster

Rainbowbrite82 · 17/09/2023 00:21

Update: poor hammy is really not looking great at all. I think the time has sadly come that we’ll have to say goodbye to her. I want to take her to the vet tomorrow, I can’t bear for her to be like this any longer.

DD is going to be devastated so I’m trying to work out the best way to do this - if I take hammy to the vet tomorrow and they agree she needs to be put to sleep (which I’m pretty certain they will), do you think they’ll keep her there for me and allow me to come home, break the news to DD about what’s going to happen so that DD has the chance to decide what she wants to do - I.e. come to the vets to say goodbye? I don’t think she’ll want to be in the room when they do it and I don’t think that would be a good idea anyway but I want to give her all possible options. Feel so sad…

OP posts:

Superunknown1 · 17/09/2023 00:28

How old is your DD? I was
there when quite a few of my hamsters were put to sleep from the age of about 11 onwards and through risky surgeries etc. and I always liked being there to say goodbye, but realise not every child is the same! So sorry hamster isn’t doing well. Sorry I can’t answer on whether vet would be able to keep your hamster there while you go home and then return, I’d maybe ring ahead of time and ask so you can either speak to your DD before you go or just make plans. You’re doing the right thing for your hammy and so few actually do as they’re such cheap pets to buy. My last hamster cost us hundreds but he was such a precious member of the family we didn’t regret a penny. Best wishes x

Original poster

Rainbowbrite82 · 17/09/2023 00:31

DD is 9. Actually, Im pretty sure being in the room will be too distressing for her - not even sure I want to be there. But obviously I’ll make sure she gets to say goodbye properly. God, I’m dreading this.

Also, I hate to ask - but how much will it cost? Do they charge you a consultation fee on top of the euthanasia fee?

OP posts:

SkankingWombat · 17/09/2023 00:32

Can you take your DD with her but leave her in reception for the initial consultation? Then you could pop out and explain and ask if she wants to be there/say goodbye if necessary? I had to have one of our chinchillas PTS last year. Given the sudden nature, I had no choice but to take DCs with me. In our case, they knew what was going to happen as it was obvious the chinchilla was dying and in pain, so they said their goodbyes and waited in reception whilst I went in the room to be with the chin. The staff were so lovely and very happy for DCs to sit out there with them and keep an eye given the circumstances.

Shinyandnew1 · 17/09/2023 00:33

Rainbowbrite82 · 17/09/2023 00:21

Update: poor hammy is really not looking great at all. I think the time has sadly come that we’ll have to say goodbye to her. I want to take her to the vet tomorrow, I can’t bear for her to be like this any longer.

DD is going to be devastated so I’m trying to work out the best way to do this - if I take hammy to the vet tomorrow and they agree she needs to be put to sleep (which I’m pretty certain they will), do you think they’ll keep her there for me and allow me to come home, break the news to DD about what’s going to happen so that DD has the chance to decide what she wants to do - I.e. come to the vets to say goodbye? I don’t think she’ll want to be in the room when they do it and I don’t think that would be a good idea anyway but I want to give her all possible options. Feel so sad…

Just be careful that you don’t end up getting carried away with the kids at the vet-friends of mine went with a rabbit recently and the vet nurse asked if they wanted x-y/z -nice urn with ashes etc and it cost her a fortune-hundreds, I think!

Superunknown1 · 17/09/2023 00:45

@Rainbowbrite82 It’s not the nicest, they generally give a bit of gas and then an injection so the injection might make her upset but maybe being in the waiting room would work so she can give him a last cuddle? It’s so hard to know what to do and kids are so so different from each other.
I’ve been to a few different vets for euthenasia I’m the time I’ve kept hamsters (about 17 years 😳) and in my experience they waive the consultation fees when pet is put to sleep (may not be the case for every vet but most tend to be quite sympathetic). Prices I’ve paid vary from £30-50 approx, my last hammy who had to be put to sleep we had cremated and price in total came to £80 including a lovely engraved box etc. Obviously pricey but I have two hamsters (rest buried in garden or with plants) in little wooden urns and still brings me comfort seeing them. Horrible thing having to take them but wonderfully compassionate and ham is lucky to have you!

Sleepdeprived42long · 17/09/2023 00:46

It is so sad when a family pet is nearing the end of their life :( Honestly OP, if hammy is not showing any signs of pain or distress, then I would just let nature take its course at home. It can be quite a distressing experience for a pet to travel and go to the vet so it may be kinder to allow her to pass in her home environment (unless in pain/distress).

Original poster

Rainbowbrite82 · 17/09/2023 00:51

Thank you all - the advice to take DD and keep her in the waiting room is a good suggestion.
I’d rather let nature take its course but she looks so obviously unwell I’m really worried she’s uncomfortable so I can’t risk it.

OP posts:

Superunknown1 · 17/09/2023 01:00

Hope it goes as well as it can be. I think you’re doing the kindest thing, one of my hamsters died in front of me when I was younger and it was traumatising as was in obvious pain etc. and going to the vets for this kind of thing is horrid but at least it’s quick and quite peaceful x

TotheMooncup · 17/09/2023 06:27

I was about 9/10 when my Hamster had to be put to sleep. My mum told me she expected that the vet would suggest euthanasia before we went to the vet. I still went in and heard it from the vet for myself and then waited in the car… this was a good way of doing it for me and I was really pleased to have one last cuddle!

Hope that you work it out and that your DD is ok 💖

doggybootcamp · 17/09/2023 07:40

Exact thing happened this week with ours, my dd is also 9. We could see over a few days that hammy was declining so pre- warned her and she understood it was going to be happening. In the end we took her to the vet when dd was out, brought her back home and buried her in the garden together so dd was still involved. We said our goodbyes at hike and took some photos before she went.

Nopenopenopenopenopenope · 17/09/2023 07:41

Most vets know very little about "exotics" (that includes hamsters, rabbits, other small furries, reptiles, amphibians, and insects/spiders). They may be able to do a check for anything glaringly obvious but beyond that it's the luck of the draw. Many will unfortunately prescribe inadequate doses of pain relief and antibiotics.

If you can find an exotics vet that would be a better use of your money in my opinion, but seeing any vet is better than no vet when your animal needs attention.

Original poster

Rainbowbrite82 · 17/09/2023 16:03

Well, it’s all done. Poor DD is so sad. She didn’t want to come to the vets though, which was fine. I’m just glad the poor little thing is at peace and no longer in discomfort.

Thank you to all PPs for your kind words and advice.

OP posts:

LammasEve · 17/09/2023 16:46

Aww, that's so sad. I'm glad you didn't let nature take its course, it's the last kind act we can take for our pets even though it's hard to do.

ThreePointOneFourOneFiveNine · 17/09/2023 16:54

I used to keep hamsters and had to have a couple of them euthanaised. Cried my eyes out in the vets, this was in my early thirties. They're such cute little things, totally steal your heart. Big hugs to your DD. The best comfort is know that you took the best possible care of your pet and gave them a good life.

JimJonesLivesInMyHead · 18/09/2023 04:32

Ah OP I'm so sorry. You and your DD gave that little hamster the best life possible. Your thread has just been so touching and reminds me there are still good people left in this world.

There's a star shining that little bit brighter tonight.

TotheMooncup · 18/09/2023 06:40

Oh nooooooo I was hoping for a miraculous recovery

but well don’t for doing the best thing for your little hammy 💖 you sound like a very sweet family. Hope your DD is ok

Original poster

Rainbowbrite82 · 18/09/2023 07:32

@JimJonesLivesInMyHead @TotheMooncup thank you so much. We’re all so sad but sadly, there was definitely no miraculous recovery going to happen, she looked so poorly. There were lots of tears yesterday but I’m glad she’s at peace now. X

OP posts:

Dogsitterwoes · 18/09/2023 07:35

A lot of people are so callous about small pets so thank you for doing the right thing by her.

FlappyFish · 18/09/2023 07:40

This made me well up. I do think there’s this idea that “it’s just a hamster” and people resent the cost for something that is fairly inexpensive to acquire and look after.

You cared and did the right thing. I used to as well. I had to stop keeping hamsters as I’d get so upset each time they passed.

Hope your daughter is ok.

Original poster

Rainbowbrite82 · 18/09/2023 11:36

Thank you both.

Yes, the way I see it, when you get a pet, whatever it is, it is entirely at your mercy and has no real control over its own well-being so it’s your moral duty to do your best by them.

OP posts:

user1497207191 · 18/09/2023 11:50

For small rodents, the most common problem is the teeth - they may be too long, split or completely broken, meaning they can't eat, which is often the start of them going downhill, becoming unresponsive, etc. You may be able to get the vet (or more likely their nurse) to grind the teeth down if too long or split to ease pain as they may be cutting into the gums or the roof/base of the mouth ultimately causing infections etc.

But be prepared to waste a lot of money on a vet who doesn't know anything about small pets like that and can't do anything!

We've had gerbils for about 20 years. It's constantly frustrating having to pay for vet consultations with vets who openly admit they don't "specialise" in small pets and can't really do anything other than prescribe antibiotics or creams, etc "just on the off chance". They usually suggest a "gerbil specialist" but don't know any to recommend and just suggest you "google" to see if there are any locally! Sadly Pets at Home are the worst for it, but other private vet practices do the same!

These days, we basically only go for a vet consultation to have a gerbil put to sleep when they're clearly in pain or at death's door anyway.

For things like claw clipping, teeth grinding, etc., we now go straight to the vet nurse who is a lot cheaper and more knowledgeable/experienced. You don't need the expensive vet consultation - just ask for a consultation with the nurse directly.

HaveSomeIntrospect · 25/09/2023 22:10

Hi Everyone,
just wanted to let you know that after reading this thread, I took my dd’s hamster to the vets.
He is a 3yo dwarf Syrian hamster and has developed a growth on his neck. I thought it was cancer due to old age but I didn’t like the thought that he might be in pain.
The vet says he is in great form and it’s not a growth, it is an impacted food pouch, basically he has some food stuck in his pouch. He now has some painkillers and he is going in on Thursday to have his food pouch cleaned out.
I am so glad we took him. He is a great little hamster, comes out regularly during the day and is happy to be handled, so if we can make the end of his life easier then that’s the least we can do (he could have lots of time left 😁)
Thank You All, I’ll keep you updated