Little-ones need love too

Happy Thanksgiving!

By: Alicia Agnew

Class of 2013, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine

Max and Alex were two hamsters who came into the clinic.  When I first came into the room I saw a pleasant woman with two children fussing over a video game.  Alex was rolling around in a little hamster ball.  When setting him out on the blue towel on the examining table I could see that his arms were filled with pus.  His illness was put in the shade when Max was revealed.  Max was rolled out of a small carrying cage.  Rolls of fat hit the ground.  A huge puffy face waddled across the table.  Never in my life have I seen an animal so disproportionally fat.  My first impression was that a genetic defect had his legs stuck inside his body.  Q-tips revealed that the rolls of fat had fallen around his paws so he was unable to touch the ground, instead moving against his skin giving the appearance that he had no legs.  His cheeks were solid masses that extended beyond his width.  My diagnosis of a tumor was incorrect, as the vet was able to push out a rotten mass of half-chewed foods.  Stinky smelling sunflower seeds scattered on the table’s surface.  Max went home on a diet while Alex received some antibiotics.  They came back a week later for a recheck where both were doing much better.   Even little guys need love and care too!