Be Kind To Pets, Vet case studies, Photography tips, Travel Stories: 4184. FINAL VIDEO: To operate or not to operate? Dwarf hamster has infected private parts. What to do?

TO OPERATE OR NOT TO OPERATE?

The dwarf hamster has infected and swollen private parts. What to do?
Veterinary Stories by Dr Sing Kong Yuen from Toa Payoh Vets

OCTOBER 14, 2022.
A hamster owner WhatsApp me a video of her sick hamster. He was a one-year-old dwarf hamster. "He keeps licking his private parts," she said over the phone. "The area becomes wet. He eats much less nowadays."

"Your hamster has a swollen right testes," I said. "The causes may be the wound due to injury or the testes may have rotated and become twisted. "In any case, bring the hamster for treatment early."

OCTOBER 16 - 19, 2022.
For 3 days as an inpatient at Toa Payoh Vets, the hamster was given medication and the wound
was cleaned.

OCTOBER 19, 2022. He was active and eating more, but his poo was less. The owner brings the hamster home. "Continue the antibiotics and pain-killer for the next 7 days," I said.

OCTOBER 21, 2022.
"The hamster is not feeling well," the owner said. "He has no appetite and is sleepy." She brought the hamster to the Surgery. He passed away in the afternoon.

CONCLUSION.
The right testes had been infected via the wound. He had been licking the scrotal area to relieve himself of the itchiness and pain. The area was damp with his saliva. On the Day 3 of inpatient treatment, the area was dry as he was not licking. Hence, the owner would give him medication at home.

Did the owner give him the medication or the correct dosage? The bacterial infection had returned or had become resistant to the antibiotics. It is hard to say. Should I have operated on Day 3 to remove the infected testicle?

TO OPERATE OR NOT ON DAY 3 OF INPATIENT STAY?
The operation is called NEUTER which is to remove the two testes. In healthy hamsters, there is practically no anaesthetic risk of death on the operating table. There was a high risk as this hamster was not 100% healthy.

CONCLUSION.
The hamster was active as a normal dwarf hamster, hence he was sent home on Day 3 of inpatient to be nursed by the owner. This would save her veterinary expenses.This case shows that it is hard to advise neuter after 3 days days of inpatient treatment. From this experience, I will advise neuter after 3 days of inpatient treatment preferably. Or ward the hamster for 10 days to observe and operate later.

UPDATES AT:
https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2022/12/4184-to-operate-or-not-to-operate.html