There are a lot of cancer cells.They can either be benign or malignant.As they get older, tumors are a common health problem for hamsters.A large tumor can make a hamster very sick if left unaddressed.If your vet discovers a tumor in your hamster, begin treatment immediately.The sooner you start treatment, the better.
Step 1: Discuss surgical treatment with your vet.
After your vet diagnoses a tumor in your hamster, talk to them about how to treat it.Surgery is the best treatment for external tumors.The surgery for internal tumors would be more difficult because of the small size and tiny internal organs of a hamster.Your vet can help you decide if surgery is a good option for your hamster.If you have a female hamster that has breast cancer, your vet may suggest other surgical procedures.They may recommend removing the reproductive organs to keep the cancer from coming back.
Step 2: Discuss the risks of surgery
Although surgery is usually the best treatment option, it does not come without risks.hamsters can suffer from shock during surgery.The vital organs, like the heart, do not get enough blood to function properly.Internal tumors are difficult to remove because they are usually large when discovered.If you factor in the costs of anesthesia and any medications that may be needed before or after surgery, it can be expensive.Bring up any concerns you have about your hamster's surgery when you talk to your vet.
Step 3: Ask about other treatment options.
Sometimes a hamster's tumors can't be completely removed.It could be too large or located in an area that would make surgery difficult.There are other treatment strategies that may work in these cases.Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells by disrupting their cell cycle.Radiation therapy uses a beam of radiation to kill cancer cells.Your vet may recommend treatment for your hamster.hamsters are so small that they can't handle radiation or chemotherapy.If you don't want your hamster to be harmed by radiation or chemotherapy, you could either let it live with the tumor or put it down.If your hamster has a good quality of life, you should make a decision.If your hamster is still able to do his favorite things, such as run on his hamster wheel, run around his cage, and eat and drink, then it may not be a bad idea to let him live with the tumor.Euthanasia is the most compassionate option if your hamster can't do his favorite things anymore.
Step 4: Feed your hamster.
hamsters have free access to food and water until they have surgery.Provide your hamster with plenty of fresh water and continue to feed it as usual before surgery.Prepare a package of food for your hamster on the day of surgery.Bring the food and water with you to the vet.
Step 5: Your vet can perform surgery.
Your veterinary team will be extra careful to watch your hamster during surgery because of its small size.They will monitor your hamster's temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate after anesthetizing it.They will give your hamster fluids during surgery.The tumor will be removed by your vet.After the surgery, either your vet or a member of the veterinary team will call you to let you know how the operation went and how your hamster is doing.When you can pick up your hamster, they will let you know.
Step 6: Pick up your pet.
Your vet will give you instructions on how to care for your hamster when you pick it up.To help your hamster recover after surgery, follow the instructions carefully.Ask your vet any questions you might have about at- home care, such as how long it will take for my hamster to recover.If my hamster is sick, what should I do?Will my pet need medication?
Step 7: Look at the incision site.
Every day, check your hamster's incision site.It is normal for the incision to be red for a day or two after surgery.It is possible that the incision site is swollen or oozing yellow or green discharge.If the incision site looks abnormal, you should take your hamster back to the vet.An antibiotic will be prescribed for your hamster if the incision is contaminated.The antibiotic would be liquid.You would open your hamster's mouth and push the antibiotic into his mouth with a small needle.To keep your hamster from chewing at the incision, your vet may give you a small plastic collar.After surgery, your hamster would need to wear a collar.
Step 8: Look for signs of pain in your hamster.
After surgery, your hamster is likely to be in pain.hamsters try to hide pain because they are a prey animal.If your hamster tries to hide its pain, you will have to keep an eye on it.If your hamster is in pain, call the vet.If you want to give your hamster liquid pain medication, your vet can prescribe it.
Step 9: How much does your hamster eat?
Your hamster may not want to eat a lot of food at home after surgery.If you want to know how much your hamster eats, feed it regular amounts of food.If your hamster isn't back to its normal eating routine after a few days, it may be sick or in pain.Oxbow Critical Care is a product your vet may recommend if your hamster is not eating normally.The product may encourage your hamster to start eating again.
Step 10: Follow up with your doctor.
Even if your hamster is doing well after surgery, your vet will want to see you again.Your vet will look at the incision site to make sure your hamster is healthy.Every few months, your vet may want to check your hamster for new tumors.Your vet will tell you when to bring your hamster in for an exam.If your hamster develops other tumors, you and your vet will discuss treatment options.