14 hours after upper lip tumour excision - hamster
Channel: Dr David Sing
Date: 2014-12-04

The husband in his 30s, with a daughter 10 years old and son 9 years old came yesterday as the hamster had lost weight from 46 g last week when he consulted me for the left upper lip swelling. Dr Daniel had trimmed the overgrown teeth and sent the hamster home with medication.

However, the left upper lip had swollen more and now the tumour below the lip can be seen. There is ulceration. The hamster lost weight from 46 g one week ago to 38 g today. 

"It is your money that will have to pay for this hamster surgery," the father reiterated to the two small children. "Are you sure you want the surgery? The hamster may die from anaesthesia and after surgery. Are you very sure?"

"I doubt they understand the financial part and the anaesthetic risks," I said. "They are just too young."

The 2 children nodded their heads in unison. Yes, they wanted the hamster to be treated. So, the hamster's tumour and the left upper lip were electro-excised. I expected him not to survive.

But he was all active and normal overnight and went home this morning Dec 4, 2014 when the wife came for him at 9.30 am. "Only after 7 days post op do we know whether the hamster can survive or not," I warned the happy mother.   

A happy lady owner came early morning on Dec 4, 2014 to take the hamster home. Yesterday, the hamster's large left upper lip tumour was electro-excised. KMnO4 powder stopped the profuse bleeding.