3421. A dwarf hamster's nasal lump 6 weeks ago.

EMAIL TO DR SING KONG YUEN dated Feb 8, 2019

Dear Dr Sing Kong Yuen,

My 20 months old male winter white hamster has been afflicted with an unidentified lump on the left side of his face. Currently, the left side of his face is swollen beyond recognition, and his nose bridge is crooked, making that side of his face disfigured. I cannot see his left eye now, as the opening is swollen. I do not know

This began on 2 January 2019, when I noticed a small lump near his nasal area and tip of his lip. I brought him to Vet 1 on 6 January and he was given enrofloxacin and meloxicam to be fed. A day before his review with Vet 1 on 17 January, the lump "ruptured" and there was dried blood when I came to realise. I cleaned it with saline solution but could not wash off the dried blood completely. I was informed by Vet 1 that his condition could not be operated on due to the lump placement and he was placed on palliative care with daily feeding of meloxicam.

I consulted Vet 2 and was advised to continue 2 more weeks of enroflxacin, meloxicam, and newly prescribed Leftose. However, my winter white hamster's condition did not seem to be getting better. The swelling continued and more new scabs formed. 

On 5 February, when I fetched my hamster from his "hamster hotel", I noticed that the swelling moved upwards and the whole left side of his face was disfigured. I cannot see his left eye anymore and his nose bridge is crooked. Scabs has thickened and a larger area of his lip has formed new scabs. On 7 February, Vet 2 said to wait until the scabs fall out to determine the next course of action. In the meantime, he was prescribed prednisolone. I was told to give him a rest first before starting on it next Monday, 11 February.

I am utterly devastated by his condition now, despite 4 vet visits in a month. The swelling spreads really fast and oral anti-inflammatories did not help him much. He is quite dehydrated and refuses to drink any water on his own. He eats less now and has to be forcefed fluids, though less than 2 ml altogether, on top of a wet diet. 

May I have your advice if there can be any form of surgery to remove the lump or intravenous injections that can help him relieve his pain and bring down the swelling? 

Thank you for your kind reply and time. 

Regards,

Name of owner

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