hamster has tumor?

[bjb]

I picked my hammy up tonight and on her side she had this lump about the size of a large marble. she didn't have it yesterday. can they develope that fast? My husband won't let me spend vet money on her because of her age. What I want to know then is it hurting her and should I get her put down before she is in pain? She is a little over 2. She doesn't act sick, she just really wobbles.

[karlh]

Sorry to hear about the growth. You may wish to read the following link, which may give you some comfort.
FeatureMinute

[tyler002]

I am some sorry 2 hear that! I am not an expert, but my opinion is I don't think they can grow that fast, and I think it might be something else, if I could I would give u $ to take ur hammy to the vet! Remember to look at some informational web-site or even call a vet and then just ask don't go in then they can't charge, lol!
I hope this all works out for you!
Let us know what happens!!!
Me and my hammy will have a pray for your's tonight!
Best of luck, Tyler and Midnight!

[Vanilla_Rat]

It could be an abcess or a cyst.

[Flower Girl]

Hi, I had a dwarf hammie that had a tumour and they do grow very fast. I was able to have my hammie operated on but it still grew back eventually and he only lived 6 months after the op, but I thought it was worth the money he was 1 and a half when he got it.

My vet said that aslong as the hamster is acting normally then they are fine in themselves and aren't in pain. You will know when she's suffering. She will be wobbly because she's developed extra weight and needs to adjust.

As Vanilla Rat says it could be an absess or a cyst.

If it is a tumour then you must take her to the vet when it's time for her to be put to sleep.

I'll say a little prayer for you tonight. Hope everything goes ok.

[Lollylou]

Hi there BJB,

I'm a newbie here and after reading your post my hear really went out to you.

I had a syrian hamster named Hermes. One day I noticed that he had a lump inside his ear and that his leg was swollen, put it down to him hurting himself whilst cleaning. Then one night I got him out of his cage for a run around and notice what could only be described as an open wound at the top of his back leg on his tummy.

I took him to the vets the next day (Thursday) and he told me it was a tumour. Naturally I was really upset, burst into tears and asked what could be done. The vet advised that they could operate but could not guarantee anything. He gave him a vitamin injection in the meantime and left me to consider my options.

I was away over that weekend Friday - Sunday and when I got back he had developed 2 more 'lumps' one was a swelling right next to his eye and the other was the same as the other one. I was devastated. I had a really hard decision to make.

Hermes wasn't himself and kept trying to run away from me and hide. I agonised over my decision and the next morning took him to the vets and asked that they put him to sleep. That might seem harsh but he was so tiny and the vet told me the anaesthetic would probably kill him anyway. I saw the same vet and when I told him what had developed over the weekend he was shocked and horrifed that they had come up so quickly.

I would take hammy to the vets and ignore hubby. Animals have feelings too and need love like we do. Hope all goes well!