Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:16 pm
How long can hamsters live with a tumor? Unfortunately, if this is the most dangerous malignant tumor, then hamsters can live another 3-4 months, depending on the stage of the disease.
Tumors are one of the greatest dangers to the life of little hamsters. Although both male and female hamsters can get tumors, females are more likely to get cancer due to the diversity of female reproductive tract cancers.
Our pets can have serious problems if they have a tumor, if not treated in time. Many of us wonder and want to know what to do if our pet has a tumor?
Do we wonder how long hamsters can live with a tumor?
In this article, you will find the answers to these questions. You will find out what tumors there are, how to prevent a tumor in hamsters, and of course how long your pet can live with this disease.
Why do hamsters get tumors?
Hamsters get tumors just like we humans do, and they are not immune to tumors because they have the same causes as humans.
Due to poor nutrition
The diet, just like in humans, contributes to the possible occurrence of tumors in hamsters.
With poor nutrition comes the growth of cells and the risk of problems, ie the appearance of tumors in your pet.
Poor diet is not the only cause of tumors, when malnourished people are malnourished, they can get other problems and diseases that negatively affect their health.
Cyst lump
This cyst is a round lump that moves and is filled with dirty matter and liquid air, but does not initially develop into cancer, and can occur on both bone and tissue.
This tumor usually occurs due to blockages in the drainage system, the veterinarian will remove it if it is located on the outside of the body.
This type of tumor can be dangerous for the health and life of the hamster and therefore it should be checked regularly after the operation, of course, you should pay attention to the diet and hygiene after such operations.
Old age is the cause of tumors in hamsters
Just like humans, as hamsters get older, the chances of developing a tumor and cancer increase, it is simply a natural process that may or may not occur.
Because as hamsters grow older, they can accelerate the growth of the tumor itself, causing cell division to become a problem.
Although the hamster’s body is constantly renewing its old cells with new ones, sometimes there is no proper replacement of the cells, which causes problems and overgrowth of cells, which is dangerous for hamsters.
Older hamsters are much more likely to have a tumor than young hamsters, and this is a fact that unfortunately can not be changed so easily, although of course the diet, the hamster’s lifestyle has a big impact.
Toxic ingredients contribute to the appearance of tumors in hamsters
That’s right, toxic ingredients are too dangerous for health, and increase the chances of developing a tumor in hamsters.
What to do?
The best solution is prevention, and that is to keep all adhesives and paints away from hamsters. That’s why we all as owners need to take care, and we can do a lot to protect your cute pet.
What types of tumors can hamsters get? Hamsters can be affected by 3 types of tumors: malignant, benign, and premalignant.
Malignant tumors
Unfortunately, malignant tumors are the most dangerous for hamsters, which can lead to major health problems for your pet.
The malignant tumor tends to spread very rapidly throughout the hamster’s body and causes very serious health problems.
It begins to grow in one place primer on the arm, then continues on the leg abdomen and spreads throughout the body of your pet.
It is best for such a tumor to have a quick reaction, ie it should be removed immediately so that it does not affect other parts of the body.
During the examination with a veterinarian, he will determine the stage of the tumor with examinations and X-rays, as well as for further treatment.
Benign tumors
It is not as dangerous as a malignant tumor, but of course, there is a danger to the health of hamsters, benign tumors are actually overgrown cells that do not move through the body.
This tumor does not spread, and will not cause any form of cancer in hamsters because it does not spread and stops growing after a while.
Although not as dangerous, it should be removed from your pet’s body so as not to cause health problems.
Premalignant tumors
The very name of these tumors says that they are a harbinger of malignant tumors. Although at the very beginning of malignant tumors, they are not dangerous to the health of your furry pet, it does not mean that it will not be dangerous to his health in the future.
Hamsters can spend the rest of their lives with this tumor without any health problems, but that can change, there is no guarantee of the outcome of such tumors.
Therefore, there is no need to take risks, the best option remains the removal of the malignant tumor from the hamster’s body.
What to do when a hamster has a tumor?
If your pet has a tumor, there is nothing you can do about it. Your obligation in such undesirable situations is to take the hamster to a veterinarian immediately without waiting for further treatment and treatment.
Most likely, the vet will perform surgery to remove the tumor, then give you tips on how to take care of your pet and his recovery at home.
Sometimes such operations are a little more difficult to perform, mainly due to the small size of the hamsters and the difficulty in approaching the tumor itself.
There is another way to remove the tumor, and that is chemotherapy. However, from people’s experience, it can be said that chemotherapy is very difficult to endure, many people fail to endure chemotherapy.
And you can imagine what will happen if your little furry pet if you decide to undergo such therapy, although this is not ruled out as a possibility, the vet can best assess it.
What are the signs of a tumor in hamsters?
Most hamster tumors occur in the thyroid and adrenal glands, which cause hormonal imbalances in the body. There are several ways to check if your hamster has a tumor, the best way is to see if there are lumps somewhere on his body.
For example, check his stomach, if there are lumps that you will feel when you touch them, then it is lymphoma, which is a type of cancer that appears on the stomach.
Tumor lumps can also appear in other places such as the neck or armpits. Sometimes those lumps are fake, that is, they can only be abscesses.
The lumps with the tumor are fleshy and hard, when you touch them the hamster will not hurt, but if you press then it will feel pain. Tumors that appear on the skin are easily visible, while those under the skin are much harder to spot.
However, if any lumps appear, you must take your hamster to a veterinarian immediately for an examination and say what it is.
In addition to these signs, there are other signs of a tumor: fatigue, hair loss, digestive problems, problems with coordination of movement, and more.
How to prevent tumors in hamsters?
Because tumors are a disease that develops gradually, the best prevention to prevent this is in the lifestyle and diet since the birth of your pet, if you take good care and attention, then the chances of developing a tumor will be reduced, of course except for age which is a natural process.
Healthy diet against tumors in hamsters
As with us humans, diet can greatly affect the possibility of developing a tumor in hamsters.
A proper diet rich in healthy nutrients, lots of antioxidants is the right solution to reduce the chances of cancer in hamsters.
For example, instead of giving them foods rich in sugar or something similar, practice fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals that will contribute to the excellent health of your furry pet in the long run.
read more: Do hamsters eat cucumbers? Are They Healthy!
Regular vet check-up
You should take your pet to the vet regularly, although there may be no signs of any illness.
Some health problems can not be easily noticed, the veterinarian will be able to determine the true picture of your pet’s health in more detail.
And in case you notice a lump in the hamster, then the speed of your reaction can be crucial, there is no need to wait, the sooner you take the hamster for an examination the better for his health.
Beware of toxic substances
As mentioned above in the text toxic substances are one of the biggest dangers to the health of hamsters.
Because they can cause major problems, including cancer in your pet.
Therefore, keep them away from your pet, and never allow access to various adhesives, paints, and the like.
How to care for hamsters after removing the tumor?
Once the tumor is removed, your veterinarian will give you instructions on caring for and caring for your pet, as each operation requires attention and treatment afterward, whether it is hamsters or humans.
First, expect your pet to stay with a veterinarian for two days after the operation, and only then will he be released for home care.
Some tips for care after hamster tumor surgery:
Make sure your pet has timely food and plenty of water, as they will be crucial to their recovery. Clean his scar regularly so that it heals faster and does not catch any infections or bacteria.
The scar from the operation will be red for a few days, or until the wound heals so that it should not bother you, all this is normal after the operation.
Sometimes, no matter how careful you are about cleaning your wound, there is a risk of wound infection from surgery.
You will notice this best if yellow or white fluid leaks from the wound, as well as a box odor from the wound, in which case you should take the hamster to a veterinarian again. Check the hamster’s condition daily to see if there are any new lumps or tumors.
Make changes in the hamster cage, take out certain parts that he climbs on and plays with, because in the period after the operation he will still need some time to rest and not to burden himself too much with exercise.
If the removal of the tumor occurs in summer, then you will need to keep the cage with the hamster in a cool place, and in winter vice versa in a warm place.
How long can hamsters live with a tumor?
This question is variable, it all depends on the stage of hamster cancer, they can live for one or two years, but in a much shorter time, the veterinarian will tell you the best.
Because the tumor is too large in the hamster’s body, it will have no effect on removal, and your pet will probably live another 3-4 months.
However, we always hope for the best, and that is that the tumor is not spread, and can be completely removed from the hamster’s body, so that it can continue to live normally.
As we said, diet and lifestyle are important to prevent such problems with tumors or something similar.
What causes an abscess in hamsters?
The appearance of abscesses in hamsters usually occurs when they are more in a group, and can be caused by several reasons.
The main causes of an abscess are a wound, a bite, or possibly a scratch caused by another hamster, so it is always emphasized that when keeping hamsters they should be placed separately and not in groups (except dwarf hamsters).
Sometimes a sharp object or something similar can get stuck in the bags in the hamster cheeks, creating pus and a bump from the wound surrounded by swelling, causing an abscess.
The vet will examine the hamster and find out if the abscess is cancerous or not, by draining the abscess using cleansing solutions to the infection itself and then probably giving him an antibiotic to prevent further infection.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Strawberries? And How Much Is Safe
Conclusion
A hamster tumor is unfortunately one of the least desirable diseases that can occur. Depending on the type of tumor and what are the chances of your pet recovering, in any case, you should do everything you can to prevent its occurrence.
Proper nutrition rich in antioxidants and nutrients, regular vet checkups, avoiding toxic substances coming to your pet are factors that can prevent or reduce the chances of developing a tumor.
Old age is the only factor in the development of cancer that can not be changed, but all other factors can be improved to prevent the development of tumors in hamsters.
If you already have a situation where your hamster has a tumor, then you need to react quickly to prevent it from spreading, as well as removal after examination by a veterinarian. When the tumor is too large, unfortunately, nothing can be done, and your pet will live for several more months.
Finally, we hope that with proper nutrition and life, the hamsters will be healthy, will live normally like all their peers, will be happy, and of course you as the owner will enjoy the time spent with them.
read more: Do Hamsters Play Dead? And Why They Do It
