4792. VET CASE. Large ear canal abscess and/or tumour in a 17-month-old female Syrian hamster

 

 

VET CASE STUDY: PROMPT VETERINARY TREATMENT SAVES LIVES. 

A GIGANTIC EAR ABSCESS IN A SYRIAN HAMSTER.
EAR CANAL TUMOUR AND INFECTIONS. WHAT TO DO?
Dr Sing Kong Yuen, BVMS (Glasgow). 21 Jan 2026. 

BE KIND TO PETS VETERINARY EDUCATIONAL VIDEO
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SINGAPORE - 14 JAN 2026: A 16-month-old female Syrian hamster has a large swelling below the left ear. "It is quite soft," Jasmine texted to me. "The cause is likely to be an abscess with or without left lateral ear canal tumours," I replied. "Prompt veterinary treatment is needed."

ANAESTHESIA. "All anaesthesia carries risk of death," said Dr Daniel. "Hence you have been briefed about the risks and sign the Anaesthetic Consent form."

"As the hamster is eating, she will likely survive the anaesthesia and surgery. The later the surgery is done, the higher the risk of death as the hamster will become weaker due to bacterial infections."

SURGERY will be two procedures:
1. Ear Amputation: Removal of the lateral ear canal (brown rectangle). It will likely have ear canal tumours and pus.
2. Lance and drain the giant skin abscess below the ear (yellow oval).
After thorough cleaning of the wound, the skin is stitched up (blue crosses).

PROGNOSIS:
The Syrian hamster will lead a normal life. Its life span is 2.5 to 3 years. Therefore, this
AMPUTATION of the lateral ear canal with tumours SAVES HER LIFE.

NO SURGERY DONE:
Some owners may prefer no surgery to avoid ear canal amputation.
Abscess gets larger and larger. The hamster scratches it to relieve her pain and itchiness.  The bacterial infection will likely spread to the eye, nose, gums, brain, internal organs. It ruptures due to scratching (red bars), spilling tattered rotting tissues and pus. The hamster stops eating and dies of sepsis.
Euthanaisa. Death before her time.   

CONCLUSION:
Prompt veterinary treatment saves lives, in this case. Amputation of the lateral ear canal, likely with ear tumours inside, will NOT affect the quality of life of this Syrian hamster. She will lead a normal life as she has around 8 - 14 months to live, assuming a life span of 2.5 to 3 years.   

 
UPDATE: 

https://2010vets.blogspot.com/2026/01/4792-vet-case-large-ear-canal-abscess.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Canon R5  24-105mm lens

103mm, 1/3200 sec, f/4, iso 180. AV mode
paper on sunlight on road outside gate
21 Jan 2026. 11.08 am

handheld

 

 

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