Hamster Has A Tumor??

[amarallj]

Wow, I have been on this forum a few months for my guinea pigs and now I found out I can chat here about my hamster.

Anyway, she is about a year 1/2 and she has a big tumor on her belly - is this common? Old Age???

She is a dwarf hamster and I am sad to admit she is in a crittertrail1 with tubes. She loves to sleep in the tubes.

Hamsters are very easy to care for compared to guinea pigs and my daughter just loves her. She knows her name (Angel) and she comes to you when you call her. She is very territorial with her cage so we know not to put our hands in her cage because she will bite you. We take the side round hole off and call her and she comes out that way. She doesn't bite hard at all, she does nibble at you when she is out of her cage. She likes to run a lot but there have been times when she cuddles you, YES cuddles you. I talk to her and her ears perk up and she just lets me hold her so gently and she doens't run. She is an awesome pet, but we are worried that she may be heading for the rainbow bridge.

Thanks for your input.

Lisa

[Alusdra]

That's not that old for a hammie- mine lived to be almost 5 years old- she needs to go to the vet ASAP! It may be a tumor, but it may also be an abscess or something else. The vet can try to take the mass off or give you meds, depending on what it is. Most vets will see the little guys for like $20 for a visit- when my gerbils got cancer (at 5 years old) the vet bills for the visit and meds was $40 for the both of them.

Please take your hamster to the vet!

[banjosnotbombs]

That's not that old for a hammie- mine lived to be almost 5 years old
Wow! 5 years for a hamster - that's really great!

Anyway, I agree with Alusdra, you should take your hamster to the vet. Most exotics vets see hamsters, ask the vet you take your cavy to.
I'm not exactly sure what they'd be able to do for the tumors/cysts. They might drain them, or prescribe medicine or may not be able to really do anything for them. I don't think they'd remove them, if it required surgery.. but, you never know.
1/2 a year old is fairly young for a hamster, they usually live to be 2-3. You should see if your tubes are rubbing against the tumor/cysts. If they are, and although she loves them, you'd want to seriously consider removing them.
She sounds like a really wonderful girl, and I hope she gets better.
Take care.

I have an off topic question... Why are you sad to admit your hamster lives in a Crittertrail 1 cage? I've never had one before, but I'd like to know what's wrong with them or why you dislike them. Thanks.

[i-love-nev]

I have an off topic question... Why are you sad to admit your hamster lives in a Crittertrail 1 cage? I've never had one before, but I'd like to know what's wrong with them or why you dislike them. Thanks.

People say ritter trails are tooo small, my hamster live in one, he lived happily for 4.1/2 years in one he had 2 attached to each other but just one fore the first couple years of his life

[crazywiggy]

People say ritter trails are tooo small, my hamster live in one, he lived happily for 4.1/2 years in one he had 2 attached to each other but just one fore the first couple years of his life

No offense, but I do not think recommending tiny cages for ANY species is a good idea!

I had 2 male piggies live "happily" in a 3 sq foor hutch, eating mixed food only (no hay) with orange juice in their water. It doesn't make it good, it doesn't make it right.

Critter trails are tiny (as are most basic cages). They do not provide enough room for the hamster to have a variety of toys, explore his environment etc.

Please understand, I am not trying to say you did bad (we all make mistakes) but please do not recommend inadequate cages, when we all know that bigger is always better.