New and need help for my hamster

[kshine]

Hi everyone,

I just found this site tonight, wish I would have known about it sooner though and I am glad you are all available to help here. My name is Kristi and I have a teddy bear hamster that I have had for almost four years now. He has these large lumps on his body that are the color of bruises, his testicles are like three times the size of normal and they are black and blue also, his body size just seems so huge all of a sudden. When you look at his underside it is also black and blue and seems VERY swollen. I don't meant to sound stupid here but I have no idea what is going on with him. And lately when he is out of his nesting house his eyes seem to be closed shut for long periods of time as if they are stuck closed. I am really worried he may be in pain and am wondering if anyone has some suggestions on what may be causing these things. I am seeing a vet on tues for my puppy and was going to ask there but thought I would get everyones opinions here first or see if anyone has ever heard of these symptoms. I know they are prone to cancer and absesses but I have yet to find anything that talks of either of those being the color of bruises. Thanks for the help.
Kristi

[kshine]

anyone have any suggestions at all?

[jennawing]

Kristi- four years is almost an unheard of old age for a hamster! I will admit straight out that I have absolutely NO idea what all that could be. Would you go here (http://www.petwebsite.com/fhome.asp) and post this same question- and add in maybe when the lumps and bruisings began and his eating/drinking/peeing/pooping habits as well as his normal day-to-day activity level, etc.? I am really sorry that I cannot help more than to point you in the direction of where I know the REAL hamster experts are. :) ANd they are SUPER nice there- so don't worry about that!

[kshine]

Jennawing.........Thanks I will do that! I appreciate your help.