Hamster with pu/pd

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Mark Rowland — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:54:19 GMT

sorry, repeated ;-)

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Mark Rowland — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:52:47 GMT

Its almost all video. The reptile diagnostics one is about 50:50, with blood sample vids from snakes, lizards and torts, vids of fluid administration, vids of induction of anaesthesia.

The Bird one should be out for the London Vet show with vids of bloods, io catheter placement, fluid therapy and a great deal on interpreting bird rads.. Also vids of reptile surgery coming soon, again, hopefully by LVS.

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Mark Rowland — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:52:22 GMT

Its almost all video. The reptile diagnostics one is about 50:50, with blood sample vids from snakes, lizards and torts, vids of fluid administration, vids of induction of anaesthesia.

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Mark Hedberg — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 21:42:58 GMT

Is it mainly text based or are there videos as well?

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Mark Rowland — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:44:52 GMT

Renal amyloidosis is common in older syrian hamsters. It is progressive and has a poor prognosis. There is often systemic amyloidosis and the liver may also be affected. It certainly is a ddx.

As for the bloods, wouldn't it be good if you could buy a dvd showing how to blood sample exotic small mammals. It would probably pay for itself after the first sample! I wonder if there is a website on exotic cpd where one could obtain such an item.

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Marie Kubiak — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:11:34 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]

I'm sure I'm simply demonstrating my incompetance but how on earth do you obtain a blood sample from a hamster?

If you do manage to get a sample then given that [quote user="Marie Kubiak"]Treatment is tricky, surgical resection tends to result in death and canine meds are ineffective[/quote], is there any point sampling in the first place?

[/quote]

Cranial vena cava with an insulin syringe works nicely - there are good pics from Vittorio Capello in BSAVA manual of rodents and ferrets showing anatomy and needle position for this technique. I always GA mine as there are too many important bits to lacerate if they decide to wiggle and I'm sure it must be pretty unpleasant to have done.

I like to confirm diagnosis - usually do it as part of a work up for skin issues. Even if it does confirm Cushings you have the option of Ketoconazole or you know to stop looking for other differentials and give up!

Marie

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Rob Davis — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 11:30:51 GMT

[quote user="Marie Kubiak"]Measure blood ALP - >40 is considered highly suggestive of Cushings[/quote]

I'm sure I'm simply demonstrating my incompetance but how on earth do you obtain a blood sample from a hamster?

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Marie Kubiak — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 21:47:25 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]

I was told sometime ago by somebody who knows much more about hamsters than me that cushings is pretty common, though I've no idea how you would diagnose let alone treat!

[/quote]

Measure blood ALP - >40 is considered highly suggestive of Cushings. Treatment is tricky, surgical resection tends to result in death and canine meds are ineffective. Ketoconazole has been proposed but studies are conflicting in its efficacy

Marie

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Rob Davis — Sat, 10 Sep 2011 13:48:24 GMT

[quote user="fluffygirl"]

I think they can get Cushings, but its probably as rare as rocking horse s**t. Well done to O for getting a urine sample!

[/quote]

I was told sometime ago by somebody who knows much more about hamsters than me that cushings is pretty common, though I've no idea how you would diagnose let alone treat!

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Richard Fox — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 07:48:59 GMT

Wouldn't rule out neoplasia esp Lymphoma even though its not hugely old.

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

sharminda — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:51:22 GMT

Is a male.

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

fluffygirl — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 22:44:53 GMT

I think they can get Cushings, but its probably as rare as rocking horse s**t. Well done to O for getting a urine sample!

Re: Hamster with pu/pd

Helen Wallace — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 21:29:08 GMT

Have seen a pyo in a hamster before. Is it female? Poss rads/scan for bladder stones if o keen. Bloods are possible but you might need a ga to get a sample and it will be small volume so talk to your lab first.

Sorry that's as much as I can think of now. Hopefully one of the exotics bods will be along soon.