4378. A large ear wart in the dwarf hamster. Mammary tumour in another hamster. What to do?

ELECTRO-SURGERY BUT SOME VETS PREFER THE SCALPEL BLADE
The dwarf hamster has a large "ear wart"
Veterinary story by Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow)
11 Nov 2022

 

A large ear wart irritated this dwarf hamster for a few weeks as it grew bigger. The owner decided to wait and see because the administrator of the hamster forum advised her not to get the wart removed as he might die under surgery. 

However, she decided to proceed with the surgery and came for the appointment.

Some vets prefer the scalpel blade to excise the tumour. This is one method of surgery. 

 

I prefer electro-surgery as there is usually no bleeding after excision of the ear tumour in the dwarf hamster as in this case. The hamster was anaesthesized using isoflurane and oxygen gas.

The electricity just sliced off the base of the stalked tumour held up by the forceps. You can see the ear cartilage after excision. I apply potassium permanganate powder to cauterise the wound in case there is bleeding.

The hamster woke up with 10 seconds as he was on gas anaesthesia. See the video.

POST-OPERATION VIDEO AT:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPPm9xY4sR0

UPDATE AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/11/4378-large-ear-wart-in-dwarf-hamster.html

 

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The 2nd dwarf hamster also had an ear wart. It had involved the ear itself. The ear was cut away.
So the owner had two hamster ear tumour operations done.

As the hamsters are old, the grey one now has has a big mammary gland tumour. The owner did her research and decided that it was cancerous as it grew big and fast.

So, she did not want any operation.

In the meantime, the hamster licked her tumour bald. There would be skin infections, wound and a foul smell later.

 UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/11/4378-large-ear-wart-in-dwarf-hamster.html