Author Topic: very sick hamster in Toronto needs help (Read 1149 times)

Lana · « **on:** September 10, 2012, 10:13:04 PM »

A student posted on Kijiji that a friend of a friend dumped a very sick hamster on her. He's improving, but essentially cannot move very much, and has discharge from his eyes. He requires hand watering, and is eating on his own, and is gaining weight, surprisingly enough.

I know nothing about hamsters. And I have my hands full at the moment with nine sick rescue rats, and three sick guinea pigs...

Is there anyone here who knows anything about hamsters? Anyone here who can help this poor little guy in Toronto? He's hanging on... definitely has the will to live. And he's friendly.

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 11, 2012, 01:53:50 PM »

Where is she in Toronto?

If I have to I can take in teh sickie...I have only fostered healthy hams but I am used to sick ratties and all the medicating, and can also sub-q fluids if he needs it. If he's really not well I'll take him to my vet.

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #2 on:** September 11, 2012, 02:13:03 PM »

I found the ad and emailed...poor little man

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #3 on:** September 12, 2012, 05:44:54 AM »

Picking him up tomorrow.

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #4 on:** September 12, 2012, 11:34:23 AM »

*duh* now its tonight.

Appointment at my vet booked for tomorrow.

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #5 on:** September 13, 2012, 06:04:17 AM »

I think this lovely boy who I named Simon is going to be put to sleep today...my heart says "maybe...?" and then I look at him again and it sinks again.

Simon is one very brave, messed up little dude. I think if anything at all could be wrong, it is with him. I booked him an appointment with Dr Munn tomorrow even before I did my 3 hour round trip to pick him up. I also left with a sick black mouse girl. I think I will only be bringing her home tomorrow.

Simon is brave, but how long can the poor soul live like that?

Meet Simon

His front end is very strong, but his back end...the one leg kicks out up over his back and the other seems limp or rigid...so tired I cannot even examine him properly, but then again does it matter?

He tries hard to stand up but cannot, and he finally gives up and sleeps like this

But he loooves oxbow, and I had to wait for him to finish eating before I took him out for some treatment.

For his paraphimosis, I gave him .02 cc of metacam, and I lubed up that poor willy.
For his eyes I used a lubricating eye gel
and then I syringe fed him .6 ml of water...he was soo good and so thirsty.

He must've propper himself up here to eat his oxbow...

Dangit! I AM a real hamster.

and after a few hours of stuffing his face with oxbow (sorry devoured!), and drinking 3 ml's of water from the syringe, he actually seemed stronger. Here's his video before I went to bed at midnight.

Believe it or not this is better than when I first saw him!

http://s61.photobucket.com/albums/h75/rattiluv/Unnamed%20Rats/?action=view&current=Simonthesickhammie.mp4

Been to the Mountaintop · « **Reply #6 on:** September 13, 2012, 07:38:52 AM »

O.M.G. how on earth did this poor little fighter get so bad?

The first pictures I couldn't have even identified Chesters' species if you hadn't told us. The video made me wonder: do hamsters get pituitary tumors? Three things remind me of a dear

rattie who got a very sudden onset pituitary tumor. Toward the end she had trouble walking, her walking tended to be in a tight circle, and she became oblivious to the edges of things, apparently having become blind.

MiserySmith · « **Reply #7 on:** September 13, 2012, 08:21:27 AM »

You are a kind soul lilspaz. You've made his short life that much better, even if he has to be pts he knew love and care. He has a full belly and less pain.
Seriously, thank you for what you do.

ceopet · « **Reply #8 on:** September 13, 2012, 09:40:01 AM »

aw no poor fella. At leasr you were able to show the guy some love.

homebody · « **Reply #9 on:** September 13, 2012, 12:09:02 PM »

Man, I don't care if it is for one minute, one night, one week... love matters. I am so thankful that there are people like you who step forward time and time again to make sure these little souls know love and take it with them should they journey on. Best wishes to you, Simon, and mouse at the vet.

Been to the Mountaintop · « **Reply #10 on:** September 13, 2012, 12:50:47 PM »

Sorry Simon. No idea why I called you Chester.

Violet976 · « **Reply #11 on:** September 13, 2012, 02:57:37 PM »

Just to update anyone who's watching, Simon *is* coming back home with Shelagh today. So... he's got some hope at this point & will certainly be spoiled, cared for & loved. He is getting a fighting chance, and he's certainly earned it.

ceopet · « **Reply #12 on:** September 13, 2012, 04:56:16 PM »

Great news! Poor hammy I hope he feels better soon

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #13 on:** September 13, 2012, 06:43:32 PM »

I have more good news!!

Both Maggie the mouse and Simon the sweet special needs dwarf hammie are going home with staff from the vet clinic. It started off with Michelle the Vet Tech meeting Maggie the mouse and falling in love. Then it was Amy, an assistant there, who has had dwarfies in the past, falling for sweet Simon. They both called me asking "if I would mind..." Are you kidding? I am over the moon!!!! Dr Munn has good staff, they all love animals, and are gentle caring, rescue-oriented people.

Can you imagine a better end to what was a sad day to start?

Been to the Mountaintop · « **Reply #14 on:** September 13, 2012, 09:17:33 PM »

P.S. Thank Tyr for his recommendation. My three report that they have joined the generic puffs fan club. They are so good that even silly Kandi Barr devoured it on the spot instead of stashing it in the litter box and returning for more. Here's Kandi Barr:

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #15 on:** September 13, 2012, 10:08:20 PM »

Ohh Kandi you pretty girl! Glad you like them!!!

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #16 on:** September 14, 2012, 01:54:49 PM »

I need to amend something about Amy, Simon's new owner. She is the new Vet TECH there, not an assistant, so not only is he getting a loving, knowledgeable home, he is also getting a medically proficient home.

Been to the Mountaintop · « **Reply #17 on:** September 14, 2012, 07:39:11 PM »

Yeah for Simon!!! Huzzah!!!

And Kandi Barr says thank you for the compliment! Another Puffs breakthrough with her today. Kandi Barr and Fila had came to me with some trust issues, as they were part of one of MRR's huge rescues. While they had lovely accomodations and perfect nutrition, the stretched volunteers couldn't give them ideal amounts of one on one time. Kandi Barr was easier, and would brux when spoken to and could be held, although wiggly, and would come to ham at the door for treats. Well today during out time Kandi Barr found one of the puffs I left for them. Ignoring the cardboard box and the plastic playhouse, the safe place she ran to to eat her puff was.... burrowed in my lap. [Misty-eyed sniff.] More Kandi Barr:

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #18 on:** September 22, 2012, 08:20:20 AM »

I talked to Amy and got an update on Maggie Mouse and Simon the sweet disabled hamster

First Maggie, she's still quite wobbly (inner ear as I thought) plus the poor sweet lass has a congenital spinal deformity (somehow I have to let the 14 year old BYB owner know that she has to stop breeding these poor mice and creating these defects.

) Michelle absolutely adores her, which is understandable!

Simon - only a bit of improvement sadly. He's only gained a little, he finished all his eye meds and was only able to open the right eye, so he had Dr. Luckwaldt look at him, and they found hair in his eyes so removed that and he's back on the eye meds. They now suspect poor Simon likely had a broken hind leg that healed wrong, and he may never be able to walk properly again...poor little man

Amy adores him as well and has no regrets taking him on

Been to the Mountaintop · « **Reply #19 on:** September 22, 2012, 11:10:32 AM »

Poor Simon. Imagine how much that break hurt and what it took to end up at such an angle. Hope he continues to improve. What_a brave little fighter.

Been to the Mountaintop · « **Reply #20 on:** September 27, 2012, 08:33:45 PM »

Any word on Simon? Almost afraid to ask...

lilspaz68 · « **Reply #21 on:** September 30, 2012, 10:44:46 AM »

Quote from: Been to the Mountaintop on September 27, 2012, 08:33:45 PM

Any word on Simon? Almost afraid to ask...

Amy promised to tell me if little Simon took a turn for the worse or had to be put to sleep, so no news is good news

I am sure our little man is just plugging along happily

Rzrwyre · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2012, 12:27:25 PM »

I just saw this thread. So amazing they could make it through all of that! Best wishes for sure, the video and pics almost made me cry!

- Raaz.

Canadian Comforts · « **Reply #23 on:** October 09, 2012, 08:17:15 PM »

I'm guessing the lack of post is good news from what you posted in your last post. Simon sure is a lucky hammie.

Rzrwyre · « **Reply #24 on:** October 09, 2012, 08:47:16 PM »

Quote from: Been to the Mountaintop on September 14, 2012, 07:39:11 PM

Yeah for Simon!!! Huzzah!!! And Kandi Barr says thank you for the compliment! Another Puffs breakthrough with her today. Kandi Barr and Fila had came to me with some trust issues, as they were part of one of MRR's huge rescues. While they had lovely accomodations and perfect nutrition, the stretched volunteers couldn't give them ideal amounts of one on one time. Kandi Barr was easier, and would brux when spoken to and could be held, although wiggly, and would come to ham at the door for treats. Well today during out time Kandi Barr found one of the puffs I left for them. Ignoring the cardboard box and the plastic playhouse, the safe place she ran to to eat her puff was.... burrowed in my lap. [Misty-eyed sniff.] More Kandi Barr:

Oh, I know you posted that pic a while ago...THUD factor. Yeah, hope little Simon is going along well! We all need a little help, sometimes!

- Raaz.

News:

Author Topic: very sick hamster in Toronto needs help (Read 1149 times)