The old hamster passes a lot of blood 4/6 - post-operation recovery
Channel: Dr David Sing
Date: 24/02/2014

Hamster was given Zoletil 0.01 IM and isoflurane gas before exploratory laparotomy to check the source of bleeding. The source was the large intestines distended full of bloody stools and gas. The full normal bladder could be seen as normal translucent bag 8 mm x 6 mm.

I massaged the large intestines to release the voluminous stools and closed the abdomen with 6/0 interrupted sutures. The uterus were not found as the fully distended intestines packed the abdomen and were the source of bleeding. 

Exploratory laparotomy in the dwarf hamster should take a short time whenever possible to ensure survival. No hamster owner is happy with deaths on the operating table.