Yesterday we took Peanut to the vet because she hasn’t been looking good; her abdomen is swollen. At first it wasn’t swelling much, so I thought maybe she was just getting chubby for the Winter. I started to become concerned when I noticed it was just in her belly area, though. I lightly pressed on the area and it didn’t seem to hurt her, but over the weekend it was looking even more pronounced so I wanted to confirm the cause. I was hoping maybe she was just constipated or something.
The vet told us it’s probably a tumor that burst because her skin is purplish due to internal bleeding. She asked whether Peanut is still eating and drinking, which she is, and said that indicates she’s likely not in pain. But the bottom line is that she probably has cancer (which she said is common in hamsters) and we will have to keep an eye on her to judge when to possibly have her put to sleep so she doesn’t suffer. :( There’s nothing that can be done – surgery would kill her, as would chemo or radiation. Poor Peanut.
It was just so sad how lethargic she was at the vet. I could hold her on her back so the vet could look at her belly and she didn’t protest. That’s not like her at all. I’m so worried I’m going to come home one day and find her dead or so bad off that we will have to get her put to sleep. Neither option is one I look forward to, but I know it’s inevitable. :(
Ohh, Nicole, I am so sorry to hear about Peanut :( That is so sad.
So sorry about your hamster. I had many hamsters when I was little, and losing them was always hard. They are such great pets.
Oh…I’m so sorry. We’ve been down that road.