My 2-year-old hamster has a large, smelly tumor. What can I do?

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is difficult to say what the lump is without seeing a photo of Poptart. Hamsters can get papillomas (warts) or cancerous masses as well as skin infections. While removal is likely to be one of the best options, you should try to keep the area as clean as possible and look out for any bleeding or ulceration of the growth. I hope this helps and that all is well!

Poor Mac, sorry to hear he has got a tumour. Two and half years old is a very good age for an hamster, and he is lucky to have made it until then ! I totally understand your point of view, as I had an hamster myself. However we need to consider things in view of his age and the fact that he will probably not tolerate a big op, so I would personally continue to spoil him and love him without causing any suffering until he is having a good quality of life and he is pain free. Hope this helps, thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I would need to see it to confirm but it is probably a tumor, in hamsters these tumors are usually malignant and not treatable, surgery is a possibility but it would personally not recommend it. other than that there is very little that can be done, if the lump ulcerates then antibiotic treatment can be attempted to treat the secondary infection.

Unfortunately you are correct in assuming this is probably a cancerous mass, especially if it has grown quickly. Keep in mind that the life span of a hamsters is only about 2-3 years. This may help in your decision making process. If you are unwilling or unable to have surgery performed to remove it then just keep Crackers as comfortable as possible. If her energy level and appetite decrease then you would have to consider that the cancer is likely spreading. I hope this helps. Best of luck.

At 3 years old, Buddy is very old for a hamster. Just as in other pets, old age brings the risk of conditions such as cancer or organ failure. Ideally, Buddy should be physically examined by your veterinarian. Aspirates can be done on the lumps to collect samples for pathology. If your veterinarian diagnoses a serious condition, you can discuss treatment, prognosis and quality of life concerns.

These types of tumors are very common in old hamsters, they do tend to grow fast too. it's not possible to know how long he has left, but probably not very long. if the problem is affecting him locally only, there is a surgical option to have it removed, which is the only thing that can help at this point.

This is most likely a tumor, which are common in hamsters. it's usually possible to remove such a tumor surgically but of course the risks of anesthesia in hamsters are quite high. price wise this could range between 300-500$.