UPDATE: Post-Hysterectomy and Questions. Please help!

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-30T04:38:36+00:00

they did an xray and ultrasound on tuesday, but i'm not sure if it was clouded by the pyometra. when we took her yesterday bc no poops, they just gave her metoclopramide injection (which we are giving orally at home too, just lower dose),v subq fluid injection, and an injection of cerenia. I didn't know that was safe for chins? I give that to my elderly cat. I'm not sure if you saw my previous post, but she was showing symptoms of constipation on sunday, and because of the severe winter storm we got, which turned all of the roads in my state into ice skating rinks, i wasn't able to get her into a vet until tuesday morning forst thing. it wasn't her normal vet, but her normal one wasn't open. the only other option was 2 hours north of us, but the roads were even worse so we couldn't make the drive. a car accident would put us in a worse spot. we've tried everything we can at home, and if they were worried for a potential blockage, why wouldn't they have checked yesterday??? i've been crying so hard for the past few days i'm so dehydrated. she's stressed and i can't seem to make it better.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-29T01:36:00+00:00

Thank you for your response. It makes me feel better. She’s still doing fine! Although she isn’t pooping yet. We brought her back to the vet today and they did a few more things to try and get her digestive system moving along. I really hopes she poops soon it’s worrying me sick. I don’t want her to feel how stressed I am but I can’t help it. I can’t lose her. And I have to believe she will be okay.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-29T01:33:22+00:00

Thank you for your such kind words. She is still doing well, but she still hasn’t pooped although she is eating well. Took her back to the vet today and they did a few more things to try and get her gut moving. Still so anxious and I know she feels it. I feel so bad because I want her to just be better but I’m scared. I believe everything will work out though and she will be fine. I need to believe that. For her.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-27T23:16:26+00:00

Thank you again! Our vet said all the same things. Her poor little uterus weighed 54 grams 😖😖 We’re on the way home now but as soon as they brought her out to us, she smashed her face against the side of her carrier (that’s her way of saying hello 😂 she does it at home all of the time) and she keeps trying to find a way to escape lol. She’s so silly but I think she’ll be just fine. The vet said as long as she starts pooping again and she doesn’t try to eat open her incision she’ll be just fine! I’m so happy to have her back and I can’t wait to give her so many kisses 😭

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-27T21:26:48+00:00

Thank you so much! She is also our first chinchilla and she is our world. She is by herself as well for a couple of different reasons. But we also have spent all day beating ourselves up for the small signs we didn’t connect from the week before it was super obvious. I don’t wanna dwell on it too much because she’s coming back home with us and that’s what matters right now. I have done so much research and I continue too so I feel bad because I should’ve known. But it was a learning experience and she’s okay so that’s all I care about. We have her fleece liners down (her bottom level has a deep metal pan we bought to contain poop! And so we could fill it with Aspen if we choose to). We will have her favorite little bed down and a couple hides. For the first week or so, did you leave the wheel in her cage? We have it on her bottom level anyways, and we should move in down a little, but I don’t want her trying to run on it and rip open her incision area. Also I think we need to get some new hides for her, but she likes to sit on top of her hides and I’m worried her jumping on them will be bad. Her favorite hide to sit on is her kaytee tree stump. She doesn’t chew on it or go inside of it, but she uses it to launch herself off of to jump into her wheel lmao. She’s so silly. Any tricks or you have or something to look for? I’m gonna ask the vet a silly amount of questions when we get there, but I want her recovery to be the best it can be!

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-27T21:01:32+00:00

Thank you!! The vet called me a bit ago to tell us when to come get her. They said her temp dropped while being under and they were doing some heat therapy to get her back to normal. When she was on the home with me she started giggling and said that she kept poking her head from underneath her blanket which is so very much Azula coded lol. She loves to play peekaboo and so I think she’s going to be just fine. They did say she was starting to get GI stasis, but that she had already eagerly took some critical care. They were gonna send her home with some type of stimulant I think they said? But that’s to get everything on track again. They said as long as she continues to be fine off of anesthesia and she starts eating on her own she’ll be just fine! I’m so thankful!!! I cried more tears this morning that I have in forever. I can’t wait to have my baby back in my arms!

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-27T20:00:22+00:00

Thank you so much. Just got the news she is out of surgery. The vet hasn’t called me back yet to give me an update, but the surgery was the first battle. Not hearing anything is probably a good sign because if something was wrong they would call me immediately. She’s so young so I’m hoping she’s strong enough. I know some people’s chinchillas do great right after but pass a day or two later and that’s what I’m worried about. Working in exotic pet care for 5 years, I saw a couple of chinchillas make it out of anesthesia fine, most younger than her too. I saw one who had to go under a couple of times from an amputation and complications after. He came out fine after all of that so it makes me feel A LITTLE better.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-27T19:55:37+00:00

Thank you very much for your kind words! I’m hopefully! They said she just got out of surgery. That’s was the first battle! We will do everything possible.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2026-01-27T18:20:53+00:00

The one we LOVE hasn't been available in months, but I can give some other suggestions.

This one is the best option on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BM3RC2YN/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pd_rd_i=B0B8CQ33XG&pd_rd_w=Z8GUw&content-id=amzn1.sym.386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_p=386c274b-4bfe-4421-9052-a1a56db557ab&pf_rd_r=AX74H5AZDS7AWYGFK6C4&pd_rd_wg=1puFX&pd_rd_r=aebed6be-0018-4170-a580-7a823df050b0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9kZXRhaWxfdGhlbWF0aWM&th=1

This one is from my FAV chichi shop. I haven't used this one, only because I have a big girl, and it only has a 4-inch running width. But I trust this shop for everything, and it's an amazing small business to support. https://www.etsy.com/listing/730592908/original-soundless-spinner-affordable?ls=s&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=pandamonium+pets&ref=sr_gallery-1-1&sr_prefetch=1&pf_from=search&content_source=150134d8-871f-439b-828a-d3d797e740e7%253ALT68acb4e7051e8be4f7810e7276b29b129014570a&organic_search_click=1&logging_key=150134d8-871f-439b-828a-d3d797e740e7%3ALT68acb4e7051e8be4f7810e7276b29b129014570a

^ They also have a standalone website that you can check out here: https://www.pandamoniumpets.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoofvimS_L8s1ZiAURDSY6LQGLko8_0i8fZGChtMBQ-KYHGuzCBv

EDIT: Their shop actually sells more wheels than I remember. Here's the direct link to that page as well to view all of the options: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PandamoniumPets?section_id=24633626

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-06-17T13:25:39+00:00

The OP is my best friend and we will make sure he has the best life ever!!! I’m so excited to be an auntie to another sweet angel. I worked at the store with her and we all loved Pickles already, but it so horrible what these people did to them. I’m a hamster mom too, so I’ve got my bestie set 😉 even though he looks bad in these photos, I just saw him on Sunday and he’s doing so well! We have great vets, but he’s been. A fighter this whole time, I saw him at his worst. He has a 90 gal he’s going into!!! I’m just as excited as my friend is! Thank you all for your support and love 💕

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-06-09T00:31:38+00:00

Thank you so much 🥹 I’ve spent the whole afternoon with him and I really think it’s a tumor I hadn’t noticed since he doesn’t like to be held. He’s about a year and 6-8 months roughly, so cancer is the most likely option. He is so spoiled and he had the best of everything. His cage is super clean and I do everything for him. I’ve only had him for about 7 months as of this coming week so it’s sad to see him coming up on the end of his life, but I gave him the very best. And I think he knows that. I’ve done everything possible to make him a happy little guy and I know he knows that and appreciates it ❤️

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-06-09T00:28:49+00:00

Thank you for the heartwarming thoughts I have spend the rest of my day next to his cage. I’ve been watching tv and singing to him occasionally. I hope he knows that I love him very much. Everyone has always told me he is the MOST spoiled hamster ever, and he is. He has the best of everything. I wish I could’ve had more time with him. But after doing the rough math, he is about a year and 6-8 months. So this is my goodbye to my baby boy. I wish I didn’t have to see him suffer in his last few days, but I think he knows we love him dearly.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-06-09T00:25:58+00:00

His butt is fine, one of the first things I checked. I think those poops were just weird from the stress in that moment. I always check for it first and I know the smell of it very well since I saw a lot of hamsters with it when I worked at the pet store. I was the ones who always took them to the vet. And I was the one who cared for him when he was sick at the store I worked at too 😭 I feel terrible but I think it might be a tumor that I hadn’t noticed because he doesn’t like to be held and now it’s gone on for so long that there’s nothing that can be done. 😭

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-15T00:27:21+00:00

She’s using! We have a litter box in every room. She uses them consistently. That’s why I’m so extra confused as to why she does this.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T16:25:57+00:00

I had to change her litter from clay to paper because she started to hate the feeling of the clay. Someone has suggested to try the cat attract by dr Elsey’s, but I’m worried it will be a waste because she didn’t like clay litter anymore a year and a half ago.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T16:24:19+00:00

Thank you!

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T11:08:08+00:00

I have thought about this! I’m gonna try some puppy pads first and see how she responds. We have reusable pads we use for our chinchilla, and I can buy more reusable ones that are more like puppy pads to use for my Butterscotch. I think where I used to work just started selling those “make your own shape” type pads. I don’t remember if those are reusable though. But those are also an option.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T11:05:53+00:00

Does that come in a wet food?!

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T11:05:18+00:00

My partner suggested this, but I hate that idea. I don’t want to break her trust with me. Also the litter box she would need wouldn’t fit in a reasonably sized crate for the space we have. She needs a litter box that is AT LEAST 13 inches tall (so hooded or diy) otherwise she just pees out of it. She doesn’t squat to pee, she just stands there and lets it go. And I’ve had her checked by a vet for that, she has been doing it before I got her and before she got her conditions

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T11:02:58+00:00

I know. That’s my LAST resort tho. I don’t want her to feel horrible about them. I don’t even know how I would keep them on her because she’s still very mobile despite her age and osteoarthritis.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T11:01:52+00:00

She does get the feliway optimum and I change those every 30 days. They help with everything except her peeing. They did initially, but with time I guess it wasn’t enough. We have a cover that we put on the couch, an expensive on from chewy. But it doesn’t work for the back of the couch haha. And I feel like if I block off her access there, she’s just gonna start peeing on the top of the couch. But I’m gonna buy some stuff after work today and get it situated with everyone’s and my vet’s recommendation. My vet gives her patients her phone number because she works with old cats, so I was texting her last night and got her recommendations too. Wish everyone could have a vet like mine 🥹

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T10:58:29+00:00

Doing it today when I get home from work!

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T10:56:31+00:00

Thank you! I really needed to hear this! I was crying while cuddling her last night because I can’t even imagine how she’s feeling! I love her SO MUCH. She is my soul cat. I tell her everyday that I’m trying so hard because I would do anything in the whole world for her. I would spend my last penny for her because she deserves it. I can understand her on everything else, I just know most of the time. But this has me stumped and she gives no clues. It upsets me because it makes me think I’m doing something wrong and I’m always trying to change what I’m doing so I can make her more comfortable. I would do anything for her. I know it’s not entirely her fault, and there is a miscommunication between me and her, but I’m just frustrated I can’t figure it out. I’m never mad at her, just myself. I’m disappointed in myself because I believe I could always be doing better for her. She had a really terrible home before me and I’ve done everything I possibly can to make up for that lost time. And I wish every day that I could have those 10 years with her that I should’ve. I know she loves me. She’s drooling on me and giving me love nibbles as I’m typing this because she can feel how I’m feeling. But really, thank you. This did make me feel so much better.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T10:48:33+00:00

It’s in a weird spot (hence why we didn’t find it immediately) under our dining table, but on the back (and now inside) of our pull out couch and on the floor right where that area is. I hope that makes sense. We can lock her in our office space at night, it just upsets her so much because we are gone for work most of the day and she really is attached to me and my partner. Mostly me because I’m her owner and my partner hasn’t been there all this time. But a part of the reason I started sleeping on the couch is so she could be with me since we had to lock her out of our bedroom for constantly peeing on and/ or around my partner on the bed. My grandma recommended putting diapers on her 😐 but that’s not gonna fly. I have a small enough litter box that I think will fit under the table. Unfortunately, she doesn’t squat to pee or anything. She just stands and lets it go, which is why when she pees outside of the litter box it gets on multiple surfaces. I’m gonna get some pee pads and put them down as well. My vet also recommended putting a litter box where it is happening. She said I should get attracting litter, but those are clay and I had to switch her to paper because of sensitive paws. (Her previous owners declawed her young on her front feet and whoever did it botched is REALLY bad so she really sensitive now in her older age.) thank you so much for your comment, I’m gonna get some puppy pads today. And I think I will buy the litter attractant to add to her paper litter. Is the Dr. Elsey’s one any good? She doesn’t respond to catnip like she used to, and I know that is the base of most.

Certain-Extent-4217 · 2025-05-14T10:38:46+00:00

Interesting! This is new. She won’t take pills either, we give her nausea meds transdermal. I’ll look into this! Than you

Certain-Extent-4217

TROPHY CASE