4109. REYNA. Closed pyometra in a Syrian Hamster - A rare surgical condition

INTRODUCTION -  Singapore is a city state with around 6 million residents. Around 80% of the population live in high-rise apartments. Many prefer to keep hamsters as pets. Dwarf and Syrian hamsters are most popular.

Use SOME VIDEO footage showing Syrian AND dwarf hamsters IN A PET SHOP.

https://youtu.be/Dg6ABuVB7UE

 https://youtu.be/Gqstxdcv1V8

https://youtu.be/mUo2s9mOrAo 

As the hamster ages, tumours are the No. 1 most common medical condition seen at Toa Payoh Vets over the past 10 years.
                                 

   

This video documents a rare case of closed pyometra in a Syrian hamster seen at Toa Payoh Vets.

   

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1.  March  22, 2020 

WhatsApp Text to Dr Sing

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"Hi hi Dr Sing, are you in today?

My female Syrian hamster has not been pooping and eating well for the past week and yesterday, I felt her tummy was quite swollen.

Can I bring her in around 11.30 am?"
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"11.30 am OK.

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"Ok, I bring her over. Thanks"

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2.  March  22, 2020 

At Toa Payoh Vets

"My Syrian hamster's tummy is getting larger and larger," the young lady told me that her female 1.5-year-old hamster was losing appetite and was lethargic over the past 2 weeks. "Is she constipated?"

I palpated the swollen abdomen with my fingers. "There is bad news," I replied. "I felt a large sausage-like mass as big as the last finger of an adult lady. "Your hamster is likely to be suffering from closed pyometra."

"What is closed pyometra?"

"Pyometra is a bacterial infection of the uterus. Pus is formed. The pus usually passes out and you can see a yellowish vaginal discharge. Did you see any?"

"No, I did not see any discharge in her private parts," the owner said.

"In your Syrian hamster, the pus builds up daily, but cannot be passed out as the cervix has closed," I explained. "I need to get her abdomen X-rayed to confirm the closed pyometra. Is it Ok with you?"

X-rays showed a severely distended uterus inside the abdomen.

The left uterine horn (XY) is over-distended with pus. This X-ray shows incorrectly
that the left and right uterine horns are filled with pus, but during surgery, the right uterine
horn is normal, about 4 mm in diameter while the left horn is 1.5 cm in diameter and around 8 cm long! .  

3.  March  25, 2020 

WhatsApp Text to Dr Sing

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Hi, My hamster Elsa doesn't seem to get better.

Can she come on Friday (Mar 27, 2020) to take more medication or is surgery better?
The owner decided to feed the hamster more antibiotics.

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4.  April 1, 2020 

At Toa Payoh Vets

VIDEO FOOTAGE OF PE-OP CONSULTATION

"There is only one treatment for closed pyometra in hamsters or dogs," I said to the young lady. "Surgery to remove the distended and infected uterus as drugs will not work to expel the pus."

"The other vet says that all hamsters will die when they undergo surgery," the owner had consulted another vet earlier. "I do not want surgery."

"Your hamster has been lethargic and not eating for at least one week. In this case, she is unfit to undergo anaesthesia as the risk of dying on the operating table will be very high."

5.  April 2, 2020 

At Toa Payoh Vets

SURGERY

After around 10 days of antibiotics and syringe feeding, the hamster's abdomen got even bigger. "My hamster's tummy is getting bigger and she is heavier," the owner consulted me at Toa Payoh Vets.

"This is surprising. At home, she sleeps all the time, but at the clinic now, she is active!"

"You have two options," I said. "Surgery to remove the swelling uterus which you saw on the X-rays. Or you can wait till the uterus over-distend till it ruptures or euthanasia her when she is very ill."

"It will be very painful for her if her uterus ruptures," the young lady loved this Syrian hamster very much. "You know what? I understand the high risk of anaesthesia. I opt for the spay surgery."

"Even if the hamster survives the surgery, she may die after surgery as she is in poor health," I advised her. "She is not in good health as she does not eat on her own."

"I have to take the chance. I will take the surgery," the owner decided

She signed the consent form.. The hamster was given 0.01 ml of Zoletil 100 IM and put on isoflurane gas anaesthesia by mask. The left large uterine horn filled with pus. I took it and its ovary out. The other uterine horn was normal and had no pus. I removed it and its ovary.

The left uterine horn is filled with pus and is around 1.5 cm in diameter
and 8 cm long while the right horn is normal at 4 mm in diameter.

Just after spay

The Syrian hamster was active post-spay and went home with instructions to keep her warm using a plastic bag with warm water to place near her body. If she could survive the next 2 days, she should live.

VIDEO FOOTAGE OF POST-OP AND OTHER VIDEOS TO BE EDITED



Unfortunately, she passed away the next day. 

TIPS AND ADVICES
In closed pyometra, especially in dogs, the earlier the surgery to remove the toxic uterus, the better the chances of survival. The dog has better chances if she is eating some food and is not vomiting.
(TWO IMAGES OF DOG CLOSED PYOMETRA)


In this rare case of closed pyometra in the Syrian hamster, the hamster survived the anaesthesia and surgery which was a very difficult decision for the owner to make.