ProudGrandma Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Not to be gross or anything...but my son's hamster is bleeding from its anus...and there is something sticking out...but it's not poop...sorry for the gross description....what could be going on? We are not of the mind set of taking $20 hamster's to the vet and having a $50 bill (or whatever) from that...but we don't have any idea what could be going on...any idea?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 My first guess is that the hamster has wet tail, which is quite deadly in hamsters. http://www.hammysworld.com/index.php?p=wettail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyof4ks Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 We did the vet thing with a hamster when that happened, and he gave us antibiotics which caused one leg to be paralyzed, and eventually a couple of months later the bleeding returned and the little guy did not make it. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 I agree that it sounds like wet-tail. It's a genetic disease, it's deadly, and it is incurable. Antibiotics won't cure it. eta: Do you know what kind of hamster it is? Wet-tail is more common in some breeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerPoppy Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 I'm so sorry; poor little guy. I don't believe it sounds like wet tail from your description. Wet-tail causes symptoms that look more like bad diarrhea. I've never heard of blood coming out. What it sounds like to me--and I did have this happen to one of my hamsters as a child--is a prolapsed anus or prolapsed intestine. Sadly, my hamster was put down. But it sounds like a specialist could do an operation if you were so inclined. Other than an operation, I believe there is no treatment. I hope he's ok. Scroll down this page for more info: http://www.hamster-club.com/health.asp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 I'm so sorry; poor little guy. I don't believe it sounds like wet tail from your description. Wet-tail causes symptoms that look more like bad diarrhea. I've never heard of blood coming out. What it sounds like to me--and I did have this happen to one of my hamsters as a child--is a prolapsed anus or prolapsed intestine. Sadly, my hamster was put down. But it sounds like a specialist could do an operation if you were so inclined. Other than an operation, I believe there is no treatment. I hope he's ok. Scroll down this page for more info: http://www.hamster-club.com/health.asp this is more like it....what do we do...just wait until he dies??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
celticmom Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 I would probably just try to make him as comfortable as possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 What it sounds like to me--and I did have this happen to one of my hamsters as a child--is a prolapsed anus or prolapsed intestine. Sadly, my hamster was put down. But it sounds like a specialist could do an operation if you were so inclined. Other than an operation, I believe there is no treatment. Wet-tail can cause a hamster to have a prolapsed anus. It is described in the first link that was posted. An operation could repair it, but if it is being caused by wet-tail (which, is persistent diarrhea) then there is no cure. I agree that there isn't much you can do other than keep him comfortable. You might ask the vet about euthanasia. I'm sorry about your hamster. I grew up with hamsters and my eldest dd has one now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 If he appears to be in pain, I would put him out of his misery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GingerPoppy Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 this is more like it....what do we do...just wait until he dies??? I remember my hamster went on for a little while, seeming to be normally active and so on. The prolapse got worse and worse. Then we decided it was time to have him put down. I hate to say it, but my dad took care of things like that. Believe me, I don't want to know any more details than I already know about that. When I was no longer living at home, I had a different hammie that had to be put down, and they did it for free at the humane society, I believe. So sorry. :( Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 He doesn't seem to be in pain...but we don't want this to go on too long either...my son (age 7) is VERY sad...he was the one whose hamster ran away and died several months ago...and now this. We told he we would get him a new one...but I don't want to wait weeks for this one to die...that would be too hard on my son. sigh!! thank you all for your responses. I know it was a weird, gross post...and I appreciate you giving me some information that helped us figure it out. Kathy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 I just called the pet store..and the lady I spoke to said that he might heal from this...she said she lives on a farm and some of her farm animals have had protruding intestines and that the animal healed from it with time. So I don't know what to think...guess time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 If it doesn't go back in on its own it will be a pretty slow death and uncomfortable to say the least. If it doesn't heal I'd take him and have him euthanized. It is expensive but it is the price of having a pet, including the $20 ones. When you have those kinds of small animals put down, they have to give an injection directly into the heart. You need to ask the vet to give him something first to knock him out - vets won't always do it as a matter of course. It is possible to euthanize humanely at home with small animals, but it probably isn't worth the trouble for just one vet bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielle1746 Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 If it doesn't go back in on its own it will be a pretty slow death and uncomfortable to say the least. If it doesn't heal I'd take him and have him euthanized. It is expensive but it is the price of having a pet, including the $20 ones. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TengoFive Posted May 20, 2012 Share Posted May 20, 2012 Just one thought, when our chickens have prolapsed in the past, we've used Preparation H and pushed it gently back in. The one we had to do never prolapsed again. It might be worth a try if you're not squeamish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted May 20, 2012 Author Share Posted May 20, 2012 I could probably do it...but HOW...does one do that with an animal so small?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluegoat Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 I could probably do it...but HOW...does one do that with an animal so small?? Call the vet, they will tell you if you can do it yourself or if it is hopeless. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephanieZ Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 If you can't or won't get him treated, please take him to the vet to be euthanized. If you cannot afford euthanasia, the majority of vet hospitals will euthanize for free. Please call and find someone to put him out of his pain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vettechmomof2 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 If you can't or won't get him treated, please take him to the vet to be euthanized. If you cannot afford euthanasia, the majority of vet hospitals will euthanize for free. Please call and find someone to put him out of his pain. :iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denisemomof4 Posted May 21, 2012 Share Posted May 21, 2012 If you can't or won't get him treated, please take him to the vet to be euthanized. If you cannot afford euthanasia, the majority of vet hospitals will euthanize for free. Please call and find someone to put him out of his pain. :iagree::iagree::iagree: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted May 21, 2012 Author Share Posted May 21, 2012 thanks again for all of the responses. I plan to call a vet in the morning just to see what they say...however, the hamster hasn't really moved from the corner he is sitting in since supper time. I wouldn't be surprised if he is dead in the morning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danielle1746 Posted May 22, 2012 Share Posted May 22, 2012 Is your hamster still hanging on? How is your son? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProudGrandma Posted May 22, 2012 Author Share Posted May 22, 2012 thanks for asking. the hamster died yesterday. My son is sad...but is ok. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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