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Expert: - 6/1/2010


Question
my hamster has a lump under it's chin, I only found out after coming back from the Maldives. My maid was looking after it so it was not being left alone. The lump looks quiet big and since my hamster is quiet old, I am scared it will hurt him. I was away for only 4 days and it was fine before. It still has fur on it, and he is sometimes tripping over it, he is not as active as usual and the lump is quiet soft but with a harder lump in the middle. My mum thinks it is full of puss. I have looked on the Internet for information but the lump that my hamster has does not sound like any of the usual. I was wondering if I go to the vet, weather they will have to put him down, weather they could help or weather it is just old age and he can go on with his normal life. He is about 3 years old. He has had no vaccinations. While I was away my maid fed him egg every night and a new type of dry food to him because his old one ran out. His cage has two levels and he doesn't seem to be able to reach the second. I hope this is enough information, if not tell me what you need to know.
thanks.

Answer
Well I am not a hamster expert but it sounds like an abscess Genevieve. I would get him to the vets and see if they can lance it and give you some antibiotics for his water or drops for his mouth to help clear it up.

Otherwise you can ask Heather who is a hamster expert in here.

http://www.allexperts.com/ep/2005-34607/Gerbils-Hamsters/Heather.htm

Dr. Gotthelf does answer questions about skin so maybe he knows something about Hamsters as well:

http://www.allexperts.com/ep/700-23614/Ask-Veterinarian/Dr-Louis-N-Gotthelf.htm

Good luck with him. A 3 yr old hamster is quite old.

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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