Hamster, prominent lump?

[youvegottobekidding]

We have a female Syrian Hamster, had her for around 6 wks from PAH.

A couple of days ago I noticed she has a prominent lump/spot on her chest area. DH said it was one of her ‘nipples’ but on closer inspection yesterday I don’t think it is as it’s quite hard and really sticks out. Like any others she has doesn’t.

I think this probably needs to be checked by a vet? I can’t say I remember seeing it or feeling it when we got her. She seems fine in herself, she seems to be eating and drinking okay too.

Ahh, I'm sorry to say this, but many years ago my DS had a lovely little hamster, one day I spotted a lump on his chest, took him to get checked out and the vet told me it was a tumour, and he was PTS.
Get him checked, aw poor little fellow x

Oh no, that’s sad. I’m hoping it’s nothing, I’ve read a little bit briefly about them, sometimes they’re nothing, sometimes they are. I really hope it’s not the latter as we’ve all become really attached to her, she’s such a character & in the short time she’s been with us, she really has become one of the family.

Unfortunately hamsters are rather prone to lumps, though she is very young for it. A lump should be checked out by a vet as sometimes they can be drained or treated with a short and fairly inexpensive course of antibiotics (if it's an abscess). At her age surgery may also be a very promising option if it's something you would be up for (not everyone agrees with putting such small animals through the pain of surgery).

A lump doesn't necessarily require immediate euthanasia. Our hamster developed a lump and we had a wonderful 6 weeks with him before it grew too big and he had to be euthanised.

I would also report it to Pets at Home. They may not be able to help with vet care as you've had her more than 2 weeks, but if this is something genetic they should let their supplier know.

We phoned PAH this morning and they are refusing outright to have any responsibility towards any cost of veterinary bills as they said she was healthy when she was sold - which I understand, but 6 wks isn’t a long time really. My guess has always been that she’s older than the usual age they sell at as she would have been in quarantine longer because of covid, they wouldn’t of been able to sell her at the expected date, so (I forgot to ask when we got her) I don’t think she was the usual 9 weeks old but more like nearing 16 wks possibly.

On the plus side, she’s definitely eating, I’ve seen her stuff her pouches this morning & drinking & very active. She just loves to climb all around her cage! She doesn’t appear to be in any distress, she seems quite happy. Obviously we’re going to keep a close eye on her over the next few days & see how she goes, probably book her in to see a vet by the end of next week just to be sure all is well.