My Hamster has diabetes help!!!!!

[abdmom]

What about the Tufts Veterinary Hospitals in Walpole or Grafton? They're open 24/7.

 

[lukenick1]

What about the Tufts Veterinary Hospitals in Walpole or Grafton? They're open 24/7.

Thats who I called and they told me they do not treat "exotics". I would need to find an exotic vet. They are also a 2 hour ride from my home. Im sure he is fine. Thanks

 

[princessmom29]

Thank you so much. I will make sure to keep him on a high protein, sugar free diet and hope for the best. Does he think there is insulin available for a hamster that small???

He doesn't know of one, but he said there could be as he doesn't deal with exotics in his practice either so is not up on the latest developments with them.

 

[npmommie]

Well....made some phone calls and no one in my area that is open on weekends treats exotic pets. I would have to drive to Boston to have him seen as an emergency which is too far away. I will wait til Monday to see a local exotic vet. Thanks

I was also going to suggest Tufts,I am rather surprised to hear they don't treat "exotics"
are you sure you called the right number,
on their website they say they treat exotics, its a vet school, with vet students,it would seem odd if they didn't .
not trying to argue, but I have been there many times and have seen many types of animals come thru
my beagle spent some time in the ICU so I spent a lot of time visiting

http://www.tufts.edu/vet/fhsa/clinical_services/exotics.html

 

[npmommie]

I don't know what part of the state you are in, but there is also the emergency clinic in Acton.

 

[kwelch10377]

Am I the only one who did not realize that a hamster is considered an exotic animal?

 

[lukenick1]

I was also going to suggest Tufts,I am rather surprised to hear they don't treat "exotics"
are you sure you called the right number,
on their website they say they treat exotics, its a vet school, with vet students,it would seem odd if they didn't .
not trying to argue, but I have been there many times and have seen many types of animals come thru
my beagle spent some time in the ICU so I spent a lot of time visiting

http://www.tufts.edu/vet/fhsa/clinical_services/exotics.html

Yes I spoke to a woman and she checked with other people there and they told me to bring him to an exotic vet in my hometown. Apparently they did not feel it was an emergency.

 

[Green Tea]

Am I the only one who did not realize that a hamster is considered an exotic animal?

I only realized it when I had to find an emergency vet for a sick gerbil. I had to drive a long way but they fixed him right up with a tiny dose of 2 medicines.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

If you are in MA there is a small animal vet in Weymouth. My vet referred me there when I had a question about my hamster. They will talk to you in general terms over the phone, but if they think he needs to be seen (which they probably will here ), they'll recommend you make an appt. It may be fairly straighforward. Better to spend your money right the first time than to spend it on things you might think are helpful that aren't, etc. JMO. Good luck.

 

[Kailani6]

If you are in MA there is a small animal vet in Weymouth. My vet referred me there when I had a question about my hamster. They will talk to you in general terms over the phone, but if they think he needs to be seen (which they probably will here ), they'll recommend you make an appt. It may be fairly straighforward. Better to spend your money right the first time than to spend it on things you might think are helpful that aren't, etc. JMO. Good luck.

This is helpful. Thanks! I will have to try the one in Weymouth, I have been to Tufts in Grafton before with rats (they really do make great pets) and they really didn't know what they were doing and it cost a fortune. I actually had luck at a Banfield (they are located in the PetSmart stores). They usually get bad reviews and I wouldn't take my cats there but there was one vet who had experience with rats and she was wonderful.

So my suggestion would be to call around to different vets and ask if any has experience with hamsters.

I have 3 dwarf hamsters right now and I remember being told that they are very prone to diabetes so I have never given them anything except the lab block food. They are about a year now and so far no problems. So if yours has been having daily snacks, fruits or vegetables then he could be developing diabetes.

Good luck and let us know how he does!