Post by Die Fledermaus on Dec 16, 2007 21:26:32 GMT -4
Several weeks ago I rescued two Syrian hamsters from the local pet store where they know me and give me sick or injured animals.
One obviously had Cushings Disease. I didn't tell them it was hopeless as I wanted them to feel they did good and something worthwhile, and they did as the ham died peacefully here in what comfort I could provide. (The other ham is fine).
Some may recall several years ago I posted the stories of Makeeda and her son Stanley, who had this disease. The stupid vet could not diagnose it, but Kain recognized it from dogs and he gave me the first heads up.
Their stories can be found on this board with a Search.
In any case, I want to remind people of the symptoms:
Progressively worsening fur loss and dry scaly skin.
Scabs will appear on the dry-looking skin.
The hamster will be more prone to drink and eat more as if diabetes was the problem.
Cushings Disease is a hyper-adrenal problem resulting from a small tumor on the pituitary gland. It is treatable in some animals such as dogs, but there is no cure. Owing to cost and the difficulty of monitoring blood in an animal as small as a hamster treatment is problematic at best. Internal antibiotics are good for the skin; topical antibiotics not so good.
Be sure a skin condition alone, perhaps caused by mites, is not assumed to be Cushings. Also, some old hamster will develop dandruff, but keep most of their fur. This is not unusual in old hams; it is not Cushings where fur loss is severe.
I have photos of the deceased hamster, but will send them only to someone who requests them; they are not pretty. Thankfully, this poor fellow died quickly and peacefully.
One obviously had Cushings Disease. I didn't tell them it was hopeless as I wanted them to feel they did good and something worthwhile, and they did as the ham died peacefully here in what comfort I could provide. (The other ham is fine).
Some may recall several years ago I posted the stories of Makeeda and her son Stanley, who had this disease. The stupid vet could not diagnose it, but Kain recognized it from dogs and he gave me the first heads up.
Their stories can be found on this board with a Search.
In any case, I want to remind people of the symptoms:
Progressively worsening fur loss and dry scaly skin.
Scabs will appear on the dry-looking skin.
The hamster will be more prone to drink and eat more as if diabetes was the problem.
Cushings Disease is a hyper-adrenal problem resulting from a small tumor on the pituitary gland. It is treatable in some animals such as dogs, but there is no cure. Owing to cost and the difficulty of monitoring blood in an animal as small as a hamster treatment is problematic at best. Internal antibiotics are good for the skin; topical antibiotics not so good.
Be sure a skin condition alone, perhaps caused by mites, is not assumed to be Cushings. Also, some old hamster will develop dandruff, but keep most of their fur. This is not unusual in old hams; it is not Cushings where fur loss is severe.
I have photos of the deceased hamster, but will send them only to someone who requests them; they are not pretty. Thankfully, this poor fellow died quickly and peacefully.
