There are a lot of cancer cells.They can be benign or deadly.hamsters are prone to tumors as they get older.A large tumor can make a hamster very sick if left unaddressed.If your vet discovers a tumor in your hamster, begin treatment immediately.Your hamster will have a better chance of getting better if you start treatment sooner.
Step 1: Discuss surgical treatment with your doctor.
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.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 with 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 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 tumor 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 might work in these cases.Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill cancer cells by disrupting the cell cycle.A focused beam of radiation is used to kill cancer cells.Chemo or radiation therapy may be recommended by your vet.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 can either let it live with the tumor or put it down.If your hamster has a good quality of life with the tumor, you should make a decision.If your hamster is still able to do his favorite things even though he has a tumor, it may not be a bad idea to let him live with it.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 surgery.Provide your hamster with plenty of fresh water and continue to feed it.Prepare a package of food for your hamster on the day of surgery.Bring your 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 his small size.They will monitor your hamster's body temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate after anesthetizing it.During surgery, they will give your hamster fluids to keep it hydrated.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.They will let you know when you can pick up your pet.
Step 6: Pick up your pet.
Your vet will give you instructions on how to care for your hamster when you pick it up.Follow the instructions carefully to help your hamster recover from surgery.Ask your vet any questions you might have about at- home care, such as how long it will take for my hamster to recover.What if my hamster is sick?Will my hamster need medication?
Step 7: Take a 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 in liquid form.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.It would take at least a few days after surgery for your hamster to wear a collar.
Step 8: Look for signs of pain in your hamster.
After surgery, your hamster will be in pain.hamsters try to hide signs of 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 your vet.If you want to give your hamster liquid pain medication, your vet may prescribe it.
Step 9: Do you know how much your hamster eats?
Your hamster may not want to eat much at home after it has surgery.You can see how much your hamster eats by feeding it regular 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.
Your vet will want to see your hamster for at least 1 follow-up visit even if he has a smooth recovery after surgery.Your vet will look at the incision site and 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 how often to bring your hamster in.If your hamster develops other tumors, you and your vet will discuss treatment options.