This is not an easy post for me to write. And, I'm going to try to keep this as short and to the point as possible. Some of you may remember reading a thread I started last week (or maybe it was the week before?) about my taking in some rescue hamsters and gerbils that came from a terrible hoarding situation. The original thread is here: http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=210011. Anyway, I can't provide too much info on the situation itself, but suffice it to say that I brought home (to foster) one severely neglected gerbil with only a fighting chance at life, two hamsters in stable condition despite being completely fearful of humans and malnourished/dehydrated, and a baby hamster that I couldn't leave behind. The latter of which I adopted outright. I'm happy to report that the gerbil is doing some better and the other hamsters are holding their own, but it's the little guy that has me asking for vibes this evening...
My little red-eyed cream and white banded hamster, who has yet to have been named
, has come down with a dreadful case of wet tail. In fact, in all my time working with the small critters, I've never seen a case come on this quickly or severely. He was absolutely fine this morning, at noon, at 3:00pm, and even at 5:00pm. But, when I just checked on him about an hour ago, I was horrified to see that he had terrible diarrhea and was dehydrated despite having finished his freshly filled 3 ounce water bottle. Since bringing all of the hamsters home, I have been giving them oatmeal in their food along with Bene-bac gel at the advice of the humane society's vet (and my own). They also provided me with Vibramycin should something like this occur and so I was able to quickly give him a dose orally as soon as I recognized his symptoms. I cleaned his cage and put him on paper towels as well as wiped his bottom and put in all new dishes and cage accessories. But, as soon as I wiped his bottom, he had another bowel movement that was even more wet and pungent than the one(s) before. It's just liquid and he is losing fluid faster than I can syringe it to him (I pushed just about 2cc's when I first noticed him being ill and another 2cc's before I came back downstairs). I spoke with the vet, but she said that I'm already doing everything possible for the baby. But, I still feel helpless.
As of now, he is still up and moving around, but is very hunched over and shaky. He's beginning to become more lethargic and he feels warm to the touch. I've moved him to my bedroom for the night and will set my alarm for 2 hour intervals so that I can syringe him more fluids and keep a watchful eye on him. Unfortunately, there isn't an ER vet in the area who sees small animals, but my vet is on speed dial and will assist me in any way she can throughout the night if necessary. If he worsens and my vet feels there is no hope for recovery, we will discuss euthanasia, but, at this point, she feels with treatment (Vibramycin (0.05cc) 2x daily, oatmeal, and syringed fluids along with proper disinfecting and care) that he still has a chance to pull through. However, it's looking bleak and I think we all know this.
The little guy's next antibiotic dose isn't due until morning and we have a rough night ahead of us, so, please, any vibes would be appreciated -- even if they are just to offer him a quick and peaceful passing. I'm hoping he is strong enough to pull through, but his age and past history concerns me. I'm praying, though.
So many people see small animals as expendable, but they're not. No matter what happens, at least the fosters and my adopted baby have known love and care in there time with me.
(Oh, and as an aside, the gerbil seems to be in much better condition this week and his outlook is now a lot brighter than it ever was before
.)
My little red-eyed cream and white banded hamster, who has yet to have been named
As of now, he is still up and moving around, but is very hunched over and shaky. He's beginning to become more lethargic and he feels warm to the touch. I've moved him to my bedroom for the night and will set my alarm for 2 hour intervals so that I can syringe him more fluids and keep a watchful eye on him. Unfortunately, there isn't an ER vet in the area who sees small animals, but my vet is on speed dial and will assist me in any way she can throughout the night if necessary. If he worsens and my vet feels there is no hope for recovery, we will discuss euthanasia, but, at this point, she feels with treatment (Vibramycin (0.05cc) 2x daily, oatmeal, and syringed fluids along with proper disinfecting and care) that he still has a chance to pull through. However, it's looking bleak and I think we all know this.
The little guy's next antibiotic dose isn't due until morning and we have a rough night ahead of us, so, please, any vibes would be appreciated -- even if they are just to offer him a quick and peaceful passing. I'm hoping he is strong enough to pull through, but his age and past history concerns me. I'm praying, though.
So many people see small animals as expendable, but they're not. No matter what happens, at least the fosters and my adopted baby have known love and care in there time with me.
(Oh, and as an aside, the gerbil seems to be in much better condition this week and his outlook is now a lot brighter than it ever was before