Unknown Hamster Illness/Symptoms. - Paw Talk

thisisnotmyname · #1 04-11-2009, 01:00 AM

About a week ago, I noticed that my hamster had poop and what looked like food stuck to her butt. I have my doubts about wet tail because she's so young and from what I've read, it would've already taken her life.
It seems as though she isn't affected by it; her eating habits are the same, she's very active, and she isn't lethargic at all. I wouldn't have known she was sick if I hadn't been playing with her.
My friend tried to clean her bottom, but it started bleeding shortly after. The area from where she pees also looked like it had a spot of blood on it. I didn't try to clean it after because I didn't want to aggravate her anymore.
Unfortunately, I don't have the means to take her to the vet.
If you have any ideas as to what it could be, that would be great. Thanks.

Jess · #2 04-11-2009, 03:18 PM

It still sounds like wet tail to me, or a bladder/kidney (I forgot wich one) infection, because of the blood. Did you feed her alot of fruit or veggies? That can give them the runs.
Why cant you take her to the vet? If you cant pay for it or something, you shouldnt have gotten a pet. Its not fair to let a sick animal suffer...

thisisnotmyname · #3 04-12-2009, 02:29 PM

Ahh, yes. I don't know how that didn't cross my mind. She has been eating a pretty good amount of vegetables. Hm. Hopefully it's just that.

And just saying, not trying to defend my "no vet" situation, but sick animals suffer all the time. Of course, not under my care like you're probably referring to, but it happens regardless.

Thanks for your input.

Alphie14 · #4 04-15-2009, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess


	It still sounds like wet tail to me, or a bladder/kidney (I forgot wich one) infection, because of the blood. Did you feed her alot of fruit or veggies? That can give them the runs. Why cant you take her to the vet? If you cant pay for it or something, you shouldnt have gotten a pet. Its not fair to let a sick animal suffer...

I totally agree. Far too many animals suffer because people take them in who really can't afford them. If you can't pay for an animals health than there is no reason why you should have one. I don't mean to sound nasty but I feel bad for animals that are suffering because their owners can't afford to take them to an animal hospital. Not to mention that there are affordable vets in which are much cheaper than regular vets. I'm sure you can come up with something. Call the vet and ask for an estimate on getting your little guy checked out. I hope he is okay though.

Jinxy · #5 06-07-2009, 04:57 PM

the thing is, who assumes within the first month of all times you need to take a HAMSTER to a vet and spend $50 on the meds?

this is happening to me now. I've taken my guinea pig to the vet before and it was very stressful for the 2 of us. the shots(yeah I had to go 3 times and the location was more than an hour away) and surgery he needed cost $200+ I love all of my pets dearly but you know, whose guinea pigs gets tumors and mites?

with this economy i just can't spend that on even myself anymore >.<

Jess · #6 06-08-2009, 05:06 PM

Well, you have to be prepared. Its a good idea to set aside money incase of vet bills before you get an animal.
We have well over $600 in vet bills this month, but thats just what comes with owning pets.

Jinxy · #7 06-10-2009, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jess


	Well, you have to be prepared. Its a good idea to set aside money incase of vet bills before you get an animal. We have well over $600 in vet bills this month, but thats just what comes with owning pets.

I know, like i've said, I've spent nearly $300 on my small pets not including my kitties. I hope they stay healthy for a good long while so i can save my money up for them <3

Jess · #8 06-10-2009, 04:55 PM

Well, its great you take your small animals to the vets! It just REALLY annoys me when people think they arent "worth" the $50 or so, because theyre only $10 at the petshop.

Jennicat · #9 06-10-2009, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jinxy


	the thing is, who assumes within the first month of all times you need to take a HAMSTER to a vet and spend $50 on the meds?

Uh, virtually every guinea pig that comes into our rescue? Small pets are known to be expensive. Mites and tumors are both extremely common in guinea pigs. Virtually every rescue we take in has mites, and many have tumors removed. We also deal with bladder stones, respiratory infections, etc. It sounds like you're not really researching the pets that you want to get very carefully, especially if you say things like "Whose guinea pig get mites or tumors?" That's like asking whose dogs get fleas or whose cats have kidney problems. There is no animal that never gets sick, and it's unrealistic to expect that.

Bleeding from the vent area is never just "diarrhea from vegetables". Your hamster is bleeding out of it's privates. Would you say "Man, maybe I ate something that didn't agree with me" if you went to the bathroom and peed or pooped blood? Tumors, urinary tract infections, and bladder stones are all common culprits in ALL rodents of bleeding while peeing or pooping. Please try to get this hamster to the vet. If it is a tumor your hamster could be in agony, at least you could provide her with pain medication.

Jinxy · #10 06-12-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennicat


	Uh, virtually every guinea pig that comes into our rescue? Small pets are known to be expensive. Mites and tumors are both extremely common in guinea pigs. Virtually every rescue we take in has mites, and many have tumors removed. We also deal with bladder stones, respiratory infections, etc. It sounds like you're not really researching the pets that you want to get very carefully, especially if you say things like "Whose guinea pig get mites or tumors?" That's like asking whose dogs get fleas or whose cats have kidney problems. There is no animal that never gets sick, and it's unrealistic to expect that. Bleeding from the vent area is never just "diarrhea from vegetables". Your hamster is bleeding out of it's privates. Would you say "Man, maybe I ate something that didn't agree with me" if you went to the bathroom and peed or pooped blood? Tumors, urinary tract infections, and bladder stones are all common culprits in ALL rodents of bleeding while peeing or pooping. Please try to get this hamster to the vet. If it is a tumor your hamster could be in agony, at least you could provide her with pain medication.

I actually have done plenty of research on my pets before I buy them. It seems as though many people who buy pets just don't notice these things(GENERAL STATEMENT). I feel fortunate enough that I can afford to buy medications and vet bills and notice when my pets are ill. I care for them a lot and I am one of the only people I know personally to take my small pets to the vet. What I meant by saying that people don't expect to bring small animals to the vet is a general statement. Many people do not do this/don't care enough to do this.

I don't feel as though I am ignorant . I realize I am not a professional, but I feel like you don't need to be a professional to own pets.

In my thread about my hamster I have determined that:
-she has diarreah and is not bleeding (and she is on meds currently and we are awaiting her to become better)

xx Angelica<3 · #11 06-19-2009, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thisisnotmyname


	About a week ago, I noticed that my hamster had poop and what looked like food stuck to her butt. I have my doubts about wet tail because she's so young and from what I've read, it would've already taken her life. It seems as though she isn't affected by it; her eating habits are the same, she's very active, and she isn't lethargic at all. I wouldn't have known she was sick if I hadn't been playing with her. My friend tried to clean her bottom, but it started bleeding shortly after. The area from where she pees also looked like it had a spot of blood on it. I didn't try to clean it after because I didn't want to aggravate her anymore. Unfortunately, I don't have the means to take her to the vet. If you have any ideas as to what it could be, that would be great. Thanks.

"If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet."

I'm sorry to say it sounds like Wet-Tail. This happened to the first hamster i've ever had who died within that month. We thought it was her intestine coming out but it seemed it was wet-tail. We knew there wasn't really hope so we took her back to the store and they said she really doesn't have A chance so they took care of her.