Question:
Hi,
I have a hampster it is about 1yr old and has this huge growth on one of his hind legs...any ideas what is? Or what we should do about it? I really don't want to have to spend lots of money to take it to the vet...he has had it for some time now it doesn't seem to bother him and he still runs and climbs and goes on his wheel it doesn't seem to hurt him cuz when we hold him he doesn't seem to be in any pain. Anyways if any one has any thoughts let me know. Thanks

Answer:
So because this pet was cheap, he doesn't deserve medical attention? Aren't you looking for a dog too? If dog is free or cheap, he won't get any vet care either?

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To the people who PM'd me, angry about the no Free Pet ads, now you see why? Here is a perfect example of the "Free/cheap pet = worthless pet".

Answer:
Hammies are notorious for getting cysts. Especially when they are older. Now, you say this little guy is 1 year but you really can't be sure when you get them from pet stores (i'm assuming that's where you got him?). There's a distinct possibility that your little friend could be older then he looks. Keep in mind also that hammies only live for about 3 years total so if he's a little older, say maybe 2 years, then he's approaching old age.

Honestly, you don't have alot of choice here. That cyst isn't supposed to be there and we don't really know what its doing to his insides. Animals, especially the small ones, show pain and discomfort different then we do so although they may seem fine to us, it might not be the case.

My suggestion to you is to take your little guy to a small animal vet. Have them take a look and listen to what they say. They might say that its in an unobtrusive spot and to just monitor it (cost of visit to the vet only in this case). They might say it needs to be removed which could get a bit pricey however if your animal is in pain there is only one other option and that is to have him humanely euthanized. Either way you're going to have to put out some cash for the vet visit and the surgery/euthanization. If he's your pet and your love him you need to pick one of these options. While I realise that many people scoff at medicating such tiny, inexpensive creatures know that they do so only out of ignorance. Their suffering is no less then yours when you are in pain. So remember a time when you were really hurt or sick and how you felt then. Would you want to let your little guy there sit through that for the rest of his days? Just try and think about it.

Dee

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Wow ,sounds like someone else here that had a pet to that didnt cost alot,de ja vu

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Deja Vu . . . . . .

Owning a pet, any kind of pet, carries with it a responsibility to care for it. If you are not willing to be responsible, you should not consider having any pet.

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i didn't mean that i wouldn't take him to the vet cuz he was cheap or that i wouldn't take the dog i am looking for to the vet if i got him for free. I think you miss understood what i meant. I know hampsters don't live long and i wasn't sure if there was anything i could do for him i sought advice on here and now it is biting me in the a**. I am a real animal o\lover and take great offence when i portrayed as something other....You don't know me so don't judge me. I came on her looking for advice not critizime. Thanks alot

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I see comments about the advice you didn't like but I gave you some solid info there. Any thoughts? Any questions?

Dee

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Yeah,ok///////////////////////

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Heidiho, looks like you and I had the same thought simultaneously!

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thank you so much for the advice i will take him to the vet. I wasn't sure if there was anything i could do. That is why I inquired about it on here. I asked for help didn't I? That's why i posted the thread i guess i should have thought about what i was writting. I didn't mean because he was cheap he was worthless i didn't know what i should do so i asked and thank you for responding.

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Please remember, we don't know you, we have nothing to go by except what you present in your posts, and unfortunately, what we have experienced in other similar situations. Our primary concern is the welfare of the animals.

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yes i understand that i feel horrible i have a knot in my stomach you wouldn't believe. I am not a horrible person and feel terrible for what i said i guess i should have thought before i wrote it. well know what i said is probably going to prevent me from adopting the dog we were looking into. So i guess i have no one to blame but myself. I am a good person and I hate knowing that you people think so low of me.

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Have you had dogs before? Ask your vet to write a letter that indicates the how responsible an owner he has found you to be over the years. Take pictures of your family with any previous pets you have had. Invite a home visit so that the pet's future environment can be evaluated. I would welcome being required to prove my suitability as a pet owner. It would reassure me that the person I'm acquiring the pet from is also responsible and committed to the welfare of the pet. This forum is really made up of very nice people and you can learn alot. Please stick around. Many have had rocky beginnings.

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Thanks for deciding to take him to the vet! It's the right thing to do. Please let us know how it goes.

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we have not owned a dog for many years and have moved a couple of times since then I really don't think i need to prove my self to anyone but if that is what it takes. i don't think i should be judged so harshly for one stupid comment.

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I'm thinking you're misunderstanding what glasslass said. Any "loving" photos, little stories, etc, you can get together would prove to anyone that is adopting out a dog that you truely love your animals. Did I get you right glasslass? (then again, I may be totally off in left field)

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Originally Posted by poohbear123
we have not owned a dog for many years and have moved a couple of times since then I really don't think i need to prove my self to anyone but if that is what it takes. i don't think i should be judged so harshly for one stupid comment.

Hi poohbear. Please don't take this the wrong way, but any shelter, rescue or breeder worth their salt (whether you find them on or off this board) will do some form of "judging" to ensure that you are a good match for their dog. It has nothing to do with the comment about your hamster. So, whether or not you "think" you need to prove yourself, the reality is that you "will" have to. It's nothing personal, it's just part of the process. And glasslass's suggestions are a great step in the right direction.

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Of course i totally understand that. I don't expect someone to give away a dog to just anyone. I know i wouldn't. I have had quite the day as you can imagine.

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Yes, that is exactly what I meant. When I went to put a deposit on Den-Den, I took my whole scrapbook of my previous dog with me. I was so anxious to show how big a place my puppy would have in my life. And I took the letter my vet had written me after he had to be euthanized. A good breeder cares deeply what kind of home his puppies are going to. There's actually waiting lists!

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The owners of this dog are more than welcome to come here for a visit to see were he would be living and i wouldn't mind keeping in contact with them to check on how he is doing. I have nothing to hide. I would do what ever it takes.

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Poohbear,now when the hamster thing is taken care of,I hope,you sound like you would make a good dog-owner,unlike the people who are giving this beautiful dog for free.... :(
I have a feeling they might not care too much who is taking the dog,but I hope it's you,not someone with dark intentions.
As for the hamster,I had one many years ago...they are adorable little creatures and deserve every bit as much care as a dog,if they are sick.
Pain is pain and even a dog or cat will not really display symptoms until they just cannot deal with it anymore.
We had a poster here a long time ago,he had a sick hamster.Got angry about what we had to say and his mom took the hamster outside and killed it.
Hence the advice you got from us,an animal is an animal,no matter what the size.
Good Luck in getting that wonderful dog,do you know why they are giving him up? Sometimes people will lie to get rid of a dog.

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Glasslass,great minds think alike...

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Thanks, The owners are looking for a new home for him because they say they travel alot and don't want to keep putting him in kennels while they are away. I said i did not want to spend lots of money at the vets but i never said i wouldn't bring it either. I will keep you posted on the situation.

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