Description
#death #syrianhamstershortvideo #abscess #singapore
This Syrian hamster had a very large left ear abscess. Surgical treatment would be incision and drainage of the pus of this abscess. This was advised by Dr Daniel Sing. This would involve removal of the lateral ear canal (see illustration of surgery). The owner opted for medical treatment with antibiotics.
The ear abscess did not disappear completely. The hamster had infected wounds on its fore limb and generalised hair loss without full recovery. It passed away.
No autopsy was done to ascertain the cause of death as the owner did not request autopsy. What was the cause of death?
The hypothesis of Dr Sing Kong Yuen was that the bacteria from this long-standing ear abscess had spread all over the blood stream to the internal organs, possibly forming micro-abscesses in the liver, lungs and other organs. Death would be due to septicaemia.
In conclusion, large ear abscesses are best treated surgically by incision and drainage to get rid of the bacteria. Some species of bacteria are virulent and spread all over the body despite antibiotics.