3 CASES

HAMSTER 1
3-month-old. Left hind limb swollen. Left shoulder abscess. Why?
Bitten by sibling. Needs to separate.
Vet fees (anaesthesia gas isoflurane + surgery excision of caseous pus) $70.00
"But the hamster is worth only $5.00," the mother said.  
Gave permission. Isoflurane gas - intermittent in plastic container.  Caseous pus excised. Pressed skin incision. More pus. Hamster woke up. Put gas again.
Suddenly the hamster was motionless. Too many times of gas. Fortunately recovered and goes home in the evening. 

HAMSTER 2
1.5-year-old. Heavy chest movements past 2 days. "Sniffing" sounds.
This was very stressful to family. At vet, looked OK.  "1.5 years is old," the mother said. "It can live another 6 months," I said as the hamster was chubby and had recovered from the upper respiratory infection. This hamster did not drink from water bottle. She had fresh vegetables and chicken meat and bread, unlike the typical hamster.
The mother's decision was final. The teenaged daughter was overcome by the decision but was understanding of the situation of waking up all night as the hamster had breathing problems.  I told intern Tanya who was surprised at the decision. "It is difficult to say no, go to another vet for euthanasia. It is the owner's economic decision." It had cost $170 for excision of prolapsed cheek pouch 3 months ago by my associate vet and the decision was euthanasia. 

HAMSTER 3
4-month-old. Active, eating but loose stools. Warded for 1 day. Needed time to treat but the mother wanted it back on 3rd day.
Wet tail. Reddish-brown stools but active. Mother arranged for euthanasia on Saturday. My associate vet warded it. "What should you do with the wet tail?" I asked Mr Saw and the intern Tanya. No solid food for 24 hours. Electrolytes by dropper every 2 hours. Antibiotics daily. "Give seeds and our hamster feed," I said. In 3 days, hamster has better formed faeces. By day 7, should be able to go home.

Conclusion. Economics play a big part in veterinary treatment of hamsters in the 3 cases. Mothers had to decide as to the family budget.  Sometimes, vets need to do their best for the hamsters' survival although the owner is unwilling or unable to pay for the services. The recession is deep and though shares have rebounded 30 - 300%, many families in Singapore still have to tighten the purse-strings. The vet has to reduce fees considerably to make it economical for the owner to get the hamsters treated.