Please keep Sam in your thoughts…

[Lew]

Sam is Frodo's brother and uncle to the new boys. About a month ago I noticed a couple of hard lumps under his armpits, like a couple of small jelly beans in size and shape. I was advised that it was his lymph nodes that were swollen and that hopefully it was just a mild generalised infection that should clear up, but to keep an eye on him. About a week later he still wasn't any better so I booked him in to see the vet. She suggested a needle biopsy on his lymph nodes to see what was happening.

I received a call from the vet the following day to say that the results were in and that it looked like it was probably lymphoma (cancer of the lymphatic system), although it could also still be an infection and to just monitor him for the time being to see if it got any worse or began to clear up. If it didn't clear up or if Sam started to lose weight then she was willing to try him on a course of steroids.

A few days ago Sam started to look in a bad way. All of the lymph nodes were severely swollen, particularly around the head. They were starting to make the poor boy's eyes bulge (he looked like he was permanently boggling) and he was having difficulty cleaning himself as he couldn't get his arms past them to clean his head. He also started to get a little weak in his back legs. I made an appointment with the vet so that he could start on the steroids to see if it would help. He started taking them on Thursday evening.

Here is how Sam looked Thursday evening:









Thankfully it looks like the steroids are helping to reduce the swollen lymph nodes already.

Here is how Sam looks this morning:









As the swellings either side of his jaw are going down Sam is able to wash himself again, although I'm helping him with that for now. Unfortunately it looks like Sam may be losing the use of his back legs. At the moment I'm helping Sam to keep himself clean "down below" and cleaning his ears out for him as he'd usually do that with his back leg.

Fingers crossed, it looks like we may be able to at least control the symptoms for a while. My vet said that if the steroids worked then she was happy to put Sam on a repeat prescription.

[bmxbandit]

Aww, poor thing... sounds like he's in good hands anyway

[KaySquirrel]

Awh, the poor little guy.. Glad that the steroids seem to be helping though! Will keep you both in my thoughts.

[Cerberus]

I hope things work out ok in the end for you and Sam.

You know only on CF would we wish a rat to get well soon.

I add my encouragement to Sam as well.

[Tinky]

Lew my hat is off to you for all the love and care you give to these little creatures, so dear to your heart. Truly hope that Sam does manage to make a full recovery!

[Halcyon]

Hope he get's better soon.

[greencreeper]

Awful, just awful Hope the steriods help him.

[Lew]

Sam's lymph nodes are now almost back to normal size, although he still doesn't have much use of his back legs.

Last night when I was in bed I heard pitiful squeaks coming from his cage and shot over only to find that the squeaks were Frodo as Sam was grooming him.

[greencreeper]

Bit of vicarious pleasure then Glad he's improving.

[Lew]

Look at Sam today! He looks so much better, and seems to be getting some strength back in his hind legs. He's not clenching his back feet like he was before, too.

[greencreeper]

Definitely less puffy around the face. Glad his strength is returning - fingers crossed he continues to do well.

I do like the brown areas around his eyes - are they normal? Sort of like glasses

[Lew]

It's actually where the fur has been stained by the porphyrin from his eyes. As he moults the new fur should be the correct colour.

[superbiatch]

I really really don't like rodents of any kind (petrified of them!), but i hope all is well with Sam

[greencreeper]

Originally Posted by Lew

It's actually where the fur has been stained by the porphyrin from his eyes. As he moults the new fur should be the correct colour.

Oh. I see. It's because he's not well?