Two Q's...

[Hamsters82]

1. If a hamster has a lump on them, can it be something else other then a tumor?

Why: Sophie has a lump near her tail (right side), not growing, but it looks the same round & pink.

2. Why do hamsters breath rapidly sometimes?

Why: I think its old age (she's almost 2yrs old), but when Soph sleeps she breaths fast sometimes. Or she could be dreaming?

Thanks for both!

[rasputin]

Not an answer, but maybe helpful re Q2.

Havix (1y2-5mo Syrian) sometimes squeaks in her sleep. She also sometimes bruxes -- makes slurping sounds -- when happy, which sometimes has nothing to do with me. The first time she did this, I checked on her in a panic and found her standing solidly in her cage staring out into space, bruxing happily away as if contemplating Nirvana or savoring the aftertaste of chicken.

[Hamsters82]

So for #2, you think it could be cause she was dreaming? Do you know if it could be a tumor or something else?

Thanks Rasputin.

[rasputin]

I think she was happy, but she was certainly awake.

My rats sometimes now stand and stare or huddle together and brux happily. It seemed to be that sort of thing.

Or maybe it is not the same sound at all...?

As for Q1, perhaps it is a benign growth -- you may want to see about removal just in case (my vet does growth removals on the relatively cheap end, and offers discounts if the operation winds up being easy).

[Die Fledermaus]

Or an abcess??

I rarely see mine sleeping, just as they never see me sleeping! But they seem rather quiet curled up alseep.

[Hamsters82]

No, Sophie isn't making any sort of sound. You know the normal breathing of a hamster? Well for Sophie it goes faster.

Our vet, I'm pretty sure, doesn't do surgeries. Cause I told her about the lump & she says to keep an eye on it. But when we brought in our dwarf, who did have a tumor, they opted to put her down. They didn't mention surgery at all. It looks the same: round & pink nor has it grown. Thats good that your vet does it!

I hope your rats are doing well. Thanks for making me feel somewhat better guys.

[Die Fledermaus]

I have never had occasion to ask the one good vet I know whom I trust about surgery options. I never had a hamster with a lump. Maybe a hamster breaths faster if they are too hot? I don't know. As long as there is no sound or clicking when breathing, and no other symptoms, I personally would not worry too much, or at least put it low on your list of things to be concerned about; my list is already pretty long!

[Hamsters82]

Oh alright, thank you. It stopped somewhat.

[Die Fledermaus]

Well, Sophie is gone now, and I don't get the symptoms leading to death. Don't understand it.

Fast breathing. . . (?). Could the heart not have been pumping enough oxygen? Was there a respiratory issue we could not hear? Maybe someday a vet can tell you.

Sorry about Sophie. You know about Ebony. She showed no symptoms; just did not wake up.

[Hamsters82]

I don't know what the fast breathing was about. But yesterday we think Sophie either had a stroke or a small siezure. Her head was moving oddly & she couldn't walk well on her one side (where her bad eye was) and she was gasping for breath the last seconds. Right then I asked God to take her; I'm glad He did so she didin't suffer long.

Rest in Peace my little girl.

[Die Fledermaus]

Sounds like the last minutes of Princess, who was fine right before the stroke. I described that already.