Hamsters are adorable, curious, and fun pets. However, as they age, they may develop small tumors in their body . Also, although most tumors are benign, your rodent could become seriously ill if not treated in time. Therefore, it is essential that you check your pet daily and take him to the vet if you observe physical symptoms.
Look for lumps on the belly
Hamsters can develop different types of tumors as they age. Lymphoma, a cancer of the immune system, is common in these rodents. It can affect many internal organs, which is why lumps often develop in the belly. If the lumps are large enough, you will be able to see and feel them.
On the other hand, females could develop mammary tumors. The mammary glands are the small nipples found along the chest and belly of females. In addition, breast tumors are large masses, so you can easily see them.
Examine his armpit and neck
Lymphoma can sometimes cause swollen lymph nodes in the armpit and neck. If you see that the hamster has lumps in these areas, it is quite a problem that the lymph nodes in those areas are inflamed with cancer cells.
You should also look for bumps on the skin that look like warts . Polyomavirus (a virus that affects rodents) causes small tumors on the skin, and these tumors are similar to warts. In addition, these types of tumors are more common in adult hamsters.
Observe other physical symptoms
If your hamster has a tumor, it will probably eat less. Also, you may not want to try the treats you always enjoy. If you eat less, you will also lose weight, as it is a common symptom in hamsters with tumors.
You should also check for hair loss. Hamsters with tumors in the thyroid gland have a hormonal imbalance and consequently lose their fur. Similarly, tumors in the thyroid gland can make the hamster very thirsty. If you fill the water bottle too often, there may be a problem.
Visit the vet regularly
Take your hamster to the vet as soon as you notice that he has a lump. Tumors tend to grow quickly, so you shouldn’t wait for it to be excessively large. The sooner you take him to the vet, the sooner he can diagnose and treat the tumor.
Of course, you will need to give details about the health of your little rodent, including the first time you noticed the lumps and other symptoms that you observed.
