My hamster is poorly!

[Swiper]

One of my four year olds daughters hamsters is at deaths dorr me thinks and has been for several weeks. It looks all lumpy like it might have tumours and its underneath is all raw and bleeding in places. It walks a few steps then seems to collapse and sleep for a while. I don't know what to do, i've been trying to keep it comfortable by washing its underside and putting sudacreme on it.
My husband says that he will step on it if I want but I couldn't bear it. I can't afford vets fees either. Is there anything I can do?
The hamster is one year old by the way.

[redcrx]

if u cant afford vet bills why get a pet?

get it seen to by a vet, dont leave it in pain!

[lankeela]

This is a terrible thing for your child to have to witness. Get it to a vet and have it put to sleep humanely. What sort of lesson is it giving to a child that it is ok to allow an animal to suffer.

[Swiper]

Please don't talk down to me like I'm a tramp. I take very good care of my animals. I am asking for a bit of help and all you can do is treat me like a criminal!
Redcrx thank you for your input but I could afford vets bills when i got the hamsters , but the cost of my mortgage, council tax and fuel has got so high I consider food a luxury!
IanKeela I don't teach my daughter that it is alright for the anial to suffer thank you very much you condesending prick! I am trying to keep it comfortble, hence the sudacreme, amongst other stuff.
I'll tell you what I won't feed my daughter this week and instead pay for a hefty vets bill, then you can call the NSPCC next week.
Thanks for all your help!

[Swiper]

I spelt animal wrong in my last post so no sarcy commens please!

[Jillius]

It doesn't sound as though the vet will be able to do much except put it to sleep and that won't cost a lot. I hope your husband wasn't serious about standing on it to kill it !
Explain to the vet, he will let you pay in installments. Please don't let it suffer even though you are obviously doing your best to keep it comfortable. Perhaps it might die peacefully in it's sleep.

[Swiper]

Thank you noknowledge for being alright. Jillius, thank you as well, how much do you think a vet would charge? I could afford a little. If it is more than I could afford I would take your advice and ask about installments.

[garner]

Swiper have you thought of getting intouch with your nearest PDSA, they will ask for a donation.The poor soul needs to end his/hers suffering.g.

[Jillius]

Our vet has a sign up saying that people can pay in installments. I think a vet would rather do this than people not take their poorly pets for treatment.
Vets bills can be horrendous, I know. Good luck.
ps: don't be afraid to ask your vet, he'll understand.

[kita1]

Try ringing or calling in the vets and asking. Some may do it for nothing. Other than that try the RSPCA/PDSA or any other animal charities.

Failing any of the above you could put the hamster and cage on the doorstep of the vets in the morning, just before they open (and watch from nearby to make sure a cat etc. doesn't try and get it). I am sure they would deal with it in a humane manner.

[lankeela]

You've said its already been like this for several weeks, its raw and bleeding and your husband wants to tread on it! What sort of answers did you expect? As for calling me a condescending prick, you came on here asking if there was anything you could do. I told you. Whats condescending about that? What would be condescending would be if I suggested you should get rid of the child if you can't afford it.

[stonekicker]

swiper - the hamster sounds like its in a bit of a state and you should have taken it to the vets a long time ago. it'll cost about �20 to put the poor creature down, which would be preferable to its current suffering or your hubby treading on it. pull your finger out! and you can't get mad at others for pointing out you have been a bit cruel (you have for leaving it this long - if it was your child you would have dealt with it, come what may.). you should extend the same courtesy to your pets and expect a bit of a whipping for posting among animal lovers...

[dustypuss]

Google this

www.provet.co.uk/hamsters

[tigwig]

that sounds terrible. like others have said the poor thing should have been taken to the vets ages ago. I couldn't ever watch an animal suffer and I have no money either! Ring the RSPCA or PDSA if they can't help pay your vet in instalments, ring and ask how much it will be.
There is no need to be so abusive to people on here its your fault the hamster has suffered not anyone elses and as harsh as that sounds it is the truth no matter how upset you are over it. And how your husband could even think of standing on a hamster is unbelievable I feel guilty doing it to a spider!

[Eve]

Hamsters are very delicate creatures and there's probably nothing that can be done to help it save for having him put to sleep so it doesn't have to suffer any more.

It sounds like some kinda of tumor or growth and is probably very painful espe if it's raw and bleeding.

It's not expensive, probably only about �20-25 and I'm sure the vets would come to some kind of payment agreement rather than let the poor little thing suffer.

Please do the right things and take it to the vets.

[bigmamma]

Do you have a Blue Cross or somewhere who will probably put the poor hammy out of its misery ? Failing that , you are going to have to take it to a vet as soon as possible really . All the best. The vet will inderstand and will see to the little creature first .

[gravthechav]

The mob have their torches lit and are heading swiftley towards Swiper.

If I was you I would phone a vet shop and ask them if they got any snakes you could give it to.