Cancer Tumor

[cinnycinnamon]

I forgot to mention that I do try to wipe his one eye as much as possible daily. It looks awful and I can only imagine how Billy must feel. It makes me cry every time I see him like that.

[cinnycinnamon]

Just a quick update on Billy.........

It's not looking very good for him. The tumor has since gotton alot bigger and harder and has almost enveloped his eye. I started giving him the antibiotcs again as he was making sniffling sounds from his nose. He usually always takes his medicine like a good gerbie, but tonight, he wanted to have nothing to do with it. His body is oh so frail, too. I can feel his bones. I know it's just a matter of time, now.

[catnut]

You are doing all you can. I know the feeling as my Tobey was really ill before she passed in april. Try to keep Billy as comfy as possible.

Tammy

[gerbiluv10]

sien said:

Why let him be? He has a lump on his cheek, which is not exactly comparable to a tumor in the belly.

A lump in the cheek area could also indicate an abscess. Although he's quite old already, go to the vet and let them see if this really is a tumor. If it isn't, and its an abscess, it's perfectly removable, also with medication and not necessarily an operation. As long as Billy is active, the higher the chance he survives the stress of it all.

Gerbils become 3-5 yrs, but I know gerbils that became 7!

Theres no harm in checking, and it might turn out just fine. Give him the chance, you can't be sure its cancer. Abscesses grow too (obviously).

Oh and, even if its a tumor, its probably not as severe as a tumor in the belly (which is more likely to be attached to several organs). If you let it be removed and he survives, that would be wonderful! If it is a tumor and you let it be, high chance that he'll develop tumors elsewhere, which can lead to severe pains.

If your vet decides its better to let him put to sleep all too easily, maybe you need a vet that is more specialized in rodents. I think billy deserves a chance

yes, i agree, but tell the vet NO if they want to put him to sleep. tell them that you just want him to live the rest of his gerbily life. do what's best, please.

<3 my luck to you,
shelby

[cinnycinnamon]

Thank you catnut and gerbiluv. Yes, I am trying to keep Billy as comfy as possible. There are days when he doesn't want me to pick him up (like tonight). He will at least come out and show me himself when I call his name as if to say, "here I am, mommy". I don't stress him out if he doesn't want me to pick him up. I just leave him alone and offer him a treat which he usually takes. As for the vet, I can't afford another trip with him as my oldest diabetic cat seems to be having alot of difficulties right now. He's 16. So now I need to take him to the vet this time.

My heart is breaking.

[angielouise]

How's Billy now Cinny?

[tracy]

Poor Billy! I wonder what it is if it isn't cancer. Cinny, you know you're the best gerbie mom and Billy knows it, too. Enjoy your time together.

Tracy

[cinnycinnamon]

Well Tracy, whatever it is that Billy has, it's very heartbreaking for me to see him like this. I don't want you think I'm being mean when I say this, but Billy reminds me of the Elephant Man. That's how bad his face looks.

Billy had definately slowed down even more so these past couple of days. But he's still alert so that's something positive. I've been giving him lotza treats, too just because. I'm trying to keep him as comfy as possible during this time and giving him lotza attention when he asks for it. I sometimes get this "leave me alone" attitude from him so that's what I do-I leave him alone and not stress him out by trying to pick him up.

Here is what he looks like as of this morning. I asked him to come out so I could take pictures of his boo-boo and he said okay.





Thank you Tracy for your nice words.

[angielouise]

How's Billy doing now Cindy?

[cinnycinnamon]

Hi Angielouise,

Billy is still hanging in there. He's doing alot of sleeping. His tumor is getting redder, too. Poor Billy!

Nothin much else to report on Billy.....but thank you so much for asking about his well being. I wish I had happier news to share about him, though.

[gerbilmummy]

Poor Billy he looks in a bad way from those latest pictures. i hope the lttle guy isn't in pain
I have had to have one of my lads PTS recently as he had a carcenoma of the scent gland that despite complete removal of the gland re occured just a few weeks later. It was a very fast growing cancer obviously and my vet could not operate again as there was not enough good tissue left, and also Presley could not maintain a good weight. I am very sad to have lost him, but I allowed his body to go to Liverpool university for research at the request of my vet into the cancer he had so other gerbs can be helped in the future.
I hope Billy is soon free of his suffering

[SilverGerbil]

Awww! I'm so glad to hear that billy is still pulling through! He is such a strong little gerbie!

Give him a cuddle and a sunnie from me when he wants some attention anyway! lol!

((hugs)) to you aswell!!!

xoxox

[cinnycinnamon]

Well guys, I'm at a standstill with Billy. It pains me alot to see Billy as he is. The growth has effected the way he stands. When he stands still, his head tilts to the left I guess the tumor is heavy. His one eye in not clouded anymore but rather all red. I'm certain he cannot see out of it anymore. He is oh so frail, but still eating. And he gotton to the point that when he lets me pick him up to love on him, he now expects a treat for it. At least he still has a sense of humor. But I'm seriously considering having him PTS. I don't think he's in any pain, but one never knows for sure. I don't want him to suffer, either. He's not chewing on anything anymore. Friday, my hubby has to take Bubby back to vet (a long story which I will post about later tonight in my "Bubby" thread). Anyways, I was thinking that since he has to take Bubby, he can take Billy too. I can't deal with having that done. It killed everytime I had to do that with my other gerbies. What do you guys think?

[AndreaS15]

<hugs>
Never an easy decision, i would take him to the vets Friday and get their opinion before you make your decision.
I had a rabbit with a spinal fracture, and when people would see her for a first time, they would ask me why i didn't put her to sleep. She was not ready to go, I knew that as she told me (and showed me). When she was ready she let me know, and we had a big breakfast in the sunshine before going to the Vet.
I am mentioning this because YOU are the only one who knows what is best for him, because you deal with him everyday and have a bond that no other person does.
Whatever your decision, you have my support. <hugs>

[gerbilmummy]

Hi Cinny, You know what to do, follow your heart. Thinking of you and Billy