Around 7 weeks ago, the hamster had a wound on the lower left face near the left nostril. The owner consulted Vet 1 and then Vet 2 totalling 4 vet visits.
But the medication given did not resolve the scab.
Instead it became very extensive, spreading to below the left eye.
The hamster has good appetite but he is irritated by this scab, rubbing his left eye till it swells and is shut most of the time. The owner is very worried as the left eye becomes swollen and closed. She consulted Toa Payoh Vets. Is there a solution?
WARNING. This video shows surgical procedures.
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It looks like a scab but a tumour could not be ruled out.
After 11 days of inpatient treatment with oral prednisolone and cleaning trying to soften the scab, the hard scab remains hard as a rock. The hamster keeps rubbing his left eye till the lower eyelid is swollen and had pus. What to do?
The solution is to remove the scab but not all at one time as the whole left side of the face will be exposed. I removed a slice below the left eyelid on Day 11 of inpatient treatment. Removal of the whole scab is not advised as the wound will be very large and irritating.
DAY 1. BEFORE PARTIAL SCAB EXCISION
Before surgery
DAY 1. 5 MINUTES AFTER PARTIAL SCAB EXCISION
After excision of the top 1/4 of the scab to relieve the lower eyelid itchiness
on Day 11 of inpatient treatment.
DAY 2 30 HOURS AFTER PARTIAL SCAB EXCISION An Elizabeth collar is used to prevent left eyelid scratching to permit healing. Oral painkiller is given.
Sunday Feb 17, 2019. A bright sunny morning. A guinea pig owner spoke to me by phone enquiring the cost of bladder surgery. I told him to come to Toa Payoh Vets in the morning as the guinea pig had stopped eating.
"Your receptionist said that there is no morning time slot for me," the owner said over the phone.
My receptionist had told him that there we had bookings for 4 surgeries and advised a 1.30 pm appointment. I told him to come as the guinea pig had stopped eating for 2 days. This appeared to be an emergency.
The X-ray was taken by Vet 1 yesterday as the guinea pig had stopped eating. He had treated the guinea pig for haematuria (blood in the urine 10 days ago) but the guinea pig is still passing brownish urine.
On examination, the rectal temp 35 deg C and 35.9 deg C five minutes ago. This indicates hypothermia due to shock from severe gastric distension. The stomach is swollen with gas as evident in the left abdominal swelling and in the two X-rays.
The normal temperature is 38 - 39 deg C. Not fit for bladder stone surgery today.
Most important treatment. Massage the stomach area to eliminate the gas. The owner did that with massage oil and lots of gas was passed out from the mouth.
Other supporting treatment
1. Stop giving baytril antibiotic as it has been given for over 10 days and might have destroyed the good gut bacteria leading to stomach bloat (show X-ray evidence)
2. Give 1 ml of Fiberplex twice a day to move the gut (show many stool pellets passed image)
3. Give oral meloxicam (pain killer) electrolytes and multivitamins, Critical Care and hay in small amount per hour for Day 2 and 3.
4. Warm plastic bags or container to warm up the body.
5. The owner used rectal thermometers 6x/day on Day 2, resulting in the guinea pig crying when passing stools. There could be rectal pain. To stop temperature taking. The temperature on Day 2 was 36 deg C, but the guinea pig was more active and ate celery and hay.
Day 3 of treatment. Guinea pig has no distended stomach, active and eating more. Passes many stool pellets. Owner is happy with the outcome.
CONCLUSION
Important to delay surgery when rectal temperature is below normal. This was 39.5 deg C when the normal is 38 to 39 deg C.
Massage stomach to expel gas first.
Move the gut using Fiberplex to pass more stools
Still passing blood in the urine. Give baytril for 3 days. No stone removal surgery till the guinea pig is normal.
Day 1. Bloated stomach
Day 3. Trim left side. No stomach distension
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ORIGINAL IMAGES
Hamster 1 had a large subcutaneous lump excised by Dr Daniel as the lump was infected and ulcerated due to self-biting. No cream or medicine will make this lump disappear. Surgery is the only treatment.
"No problem about his appetite!", the husband was very concerned about his dog's nocturnal coughing. "He eats and eats!"
The dog coughs for the past 4 days and pants often at home. The owner is more worried about the nocturnal coughing. The couple cannot sleep well when their pet is coughing.
DIET before consulting Toa Payoh Vets
Brand: X
Features:
High levels of naturally occurring Omega 3 and other fish oils
High levels of Omega 3
Protein from salmon .
Contains over 55% fish plus vitamins and minerals for a complete daily diet meeting the different life-stage requirements from junior dogs to senior dogs.
Containing fish and potato
-Entirely natural - No artificial colourings and preservatives
FOLLOW UP ON FEB 14, 2019 The owner purchased another brand of dog food.
No more coughing and panting episodes at home No more polyphagia (eats a lot of times) Less swollen abdomen
Fishy urine could be due to the high fish amount consumed in the old diet. Feb 21, 2019 Not eating for 6 days Feb 20, 2019 IV drip, Baytril IV, Spasmogesic 1.5 mL IV Right abdominal swelling. No panting.
Feb 21, 2019. Still no appetite. Vomited yellowish white froth overnight. X rays
Abdominal distension - enlarged livers
High total cholesterol
Bad teeth in the older dog need dental work as the gums become infected
