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Post by Die Fledermaus on May 6, 2008 21:48:46 GMT -4
Why would anyone want to eat raw broccoli?? (Unless a rodent). I dump it and other veggies such as parsley into a container, add water, and use a hand blender on it as it is simpler to just get it over with and slug it down. I have no time to cook or add sauces. Steamed broccoli (et al) from the Chinese places is not raw but it annoyingly "crispy".
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Post by pinky on May 11, 2008 1:01:44 GMT -4
Fuzz is hanging in there, but he's not very energetic, makes noises at times as though he may be in pain, and (sigh) is occasionally found with his penis out of its sheath (either he's masturbating or he's developing the Pinky Prostate Problem, which the lady vet will no doubt remember if I have to take him in for a hormone shot). His eye has better days and worse days. He eats well and is urinating/defecating just fine. I can see the beginnings of bottom incisors. He will run around, but it's not always with a lot of energy, and he pauses a lot. I check him all the time to make sure he's still with me. The up side is that he's a more cuddly hamster. I can lie on the bed, and he will swaddle himself in my hair. I cherish what time we have left and make it as meaningful as I can.
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Post by pinky on May 11, 2008 12:43:31 GMT -4
Now there's a little blood on his nose (twice), and he loses his balance sometimes. He's still making those unhappy noises too. Ugh, how he hated me cleaning up the blood. But I have to in order to see if it's a continual thing, or whether he just scratched himself while "beautifying" himself. But he still runs around, so. . . I am going away this weekend--I am nervous about leaving him and having him die. I am debating whether to have my boyfriend care for him or whether to board him at the vet. He is pretty special-needs at this stage. . . But I love him to death!
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Post by Die Fledermaus on May 11, 2008 12:44:38 GMT -4
>> I cherish what time we have left and make it as meaningful as I can. <<
On Mother's Day that is touching for me as that is exactly how I thought about my long-deceased mother and her very slow very debilitating demise: there was nothing left unsaid or unfelt, and that was the blessing amidst the illness.
>> with his penis out of its sheath (either he's masturbating <<
Looks like one of us is not circumcised!
*hugs* to you both. I have been there with many critters; just look at the gallery in my signature. The warm memories remain; the good home they got from me is fondly recalled.
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Post by pinky on May 11, 2008 14:10:19 GMT -4
Thanks, DF.
What you said about your mom applies well to my situation too. Mother's Day, no mother, but fond memories and nothing left unsaid.
My sister is a new mother--we take joy in that.
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Post by Die Fledermaus on May 11, 2008 17:20:42 GMT -4
Had a friend many years ago whose father was found dead in the garage behind the wheel of the car--Marphan's. The heart went. He was 56. Total shock to his wife and three children. No pain for him, but plenty for them what with so much left unsaid and unresolved.
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Post by pinky on May 15, 2008 19:34:19 GMT -4
I took Fuzz to the vet to board him tonight. I left in tears. I worry that I won't see him alive again. I am trying to focus on other things--like packing for my trip.
I know he will be well cared for, and I also know that if anything happens I will be called. If, say, he has a stroke, I will be able to authorize them to put him down. If someone else cared for him, they wouldn't know what to do.
The care/feeding page I typed up for the vet was actually two pages. . . . shows how "special-needs" he really is.
I will let you know how things go. . .
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Post by Die Fledermaus on May 15, 2008 22:28:15 GMT -4
As always, best wishes to you both.
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Post by Hamsters82 on May 15, 2008 23:13:18 GMT -4
I'll pray that Fuzz is okay there and try and think about the good things Robin. That Fuzz will be okay when you come back and he'll be so happy to see you! Remember the glass is always half full. *hugs*
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Post by pinky on May 21, 2008 12:33:42 GMT -4
I'm still feeling blah and don't feel like writing much, but I will write a few lines.
Fuzz is "eh." He came back from the vet with fur all yucky--don't know why. I wiped him off some, and he did the rest, so now he looks/feels more or less clean.
His eye is completely closed, so for all intents and purposes he's one-eyed. I called the vet today to ask about this and left a message. When she called me Friday she told me that she thought it was now infected, and I thought she'd do something with the meds, but he's still on Baytril. It clearly isn't helping. So what now? Nothing?
He does things in fits and starts. He will run, then pause and breathe heavily, or clean himself furiously, then pause and breathe heavily.
I wonder if he is suffering. He makes lots of noise, and some of it is related to the jaw, but he squeaks at times too. If I knew he was suffering I would want to put him down.
He did run around a lot about an hour ago, though he looks strange because he runs with head tilted since he has only one functional eye. He is eating fine. Feces and pee are normal.
This is stressful for me, I must say.
At least now I have the chance to spend time with Fuzz, so when he goes I won't have regrets.
Katie, Chewie and Fuzz are about the same age, the age at which one might expect stuff to happen, alas. Hope what's up with Chewie amounts to nothing.
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Post by Die Fledermaus on May 21, 2008 13:15:00 GMT -4
I just successfully treated a kitten with two infected oozing eyes applying "Vetropolycin" ointment which includes bacitracin, neomycin, and polymyxin. Got it at a good pet store.
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Post by Dezzi on May 21, 2008 15:14:46 GMT -4
Poor Fuzz. I'm praying for him.
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Post by Hamsters82 on May 21, 2008 22:18:15 GMT -4
How is Fuzz's eye doing, is it opened yet? Can you do a full physical on Fuzz to see how he's doing? That way you'll know if he's suffering or not. I, too, will pray that Fuzz gets better. Thanks Robin, Chewie is okay. I'm going to call the vet tomorrow, but he groomed himself and then started to fall asleep again. I guess both our cutie pies are just getting older.
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Post by pinky on May 21, 2008 23:03:37 GMT -4
I talked to the vet. We're going to try eye drops. But that doesn't change the fact that he's declining. The heavy breathing could be due to an infection, a tumor, the beginnings of respiratory failure. No way to know. She was encouraged that he cleaned himself up after the boarding. "Personal hygiene is one of the first things to go." She also said that hamsters are more "transparent" than other small furries when it comes to showing symptoms of illness. If they're not well, it's evident. Thanks from Fuzz and me for all your positive thoughts and prayers. It helps a lot to have your support.
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Post by Die Fledermaus on May 21, 2008 23:09:59 GMT -4
We all send positive thoughts and prayers.
I had a rat recently looking very bad--lethargic with serious diarrhea. After tetracycline she now seems fine, drinking and grooming, which they don't do when really bad.
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