My hamster died and ......?

Question

My hamster died recently and I feel so guilty as I have no idea what was wrong with him and if it was my fault. When I realised he wasn't himself I tried to take him to the vet straight away but my mum got really annoyed and wouldn't let me because she said I would be wasting money (even though I offered to use my own money) and he was "just a hamster". I would have taken him to the vets if I could but now I feel really guilty it was my fault he died and he may still have been here if he'd seen a vet. Do you think a vet could have done anything? I don't really want to get another hamster right now in case they get ill and I have to watch them die and it wouldn't be fair on them if I can't help them.
This is how my hamster was acting:

When I found him he had collapsed in his cage and wouldn't eat but would sometimes drink with some help. He had been healthy and happy the day before so I didn't know why he was like that. He was smelling of fish which he had never previously smelled of before and I hadn't fed him any fish. He couldn't easily move and lay either in my hands or on a pillow all day acting really tired. He hated to be put down or put back in his cage and would try to look for me though he could barely move if I put him down but he would rest peacefully on my hands. His breathing became laboured and weak until he was only taking one deep breath every ten or twenty seconds. Then he tried to breath again making a rasping sound before he died. After he had died blood came out of his nose was there something wrong with his heart? he was acting like this all day before he finally died and it was so painful watching him like this. He was 1yr and 11months old so I realise he didn't live to the average 2yrs expected of a hamster though he was almost there.

Can you tell me why he died and if a vet could have helped? Thanks and please no mean comments, I loved him so much.

Answer 1

I am so sorry for your loss. It's normal for rodents to bleed out of their noses when they die, especially if they have a lung problem. I think it could have been Pyometra which is what my first hamster Sid died from. It's a bacterial infection. He also could have had pneumonia perhaps. I don't know if a vet could have helped, but the fact that you tried your very best is really important. I'll tell you the same thing my vet told me when I was crying in his arms, the manner of the death doesn't diminish the joy of their life. There are factors other than love active in the world and you cannot protect your loved ones from them. Your hamster would have found comfort in your attention so he went out peacefully and without being poked and prodded by strangers.

You obviously cared an awful lot about your hammie, it would be a pity not to share that love and brighten up another hamsters life. Of all people, I know how painful it is, and you will always have to live with that regret in your heart. I understood it as a lesson. Never expect help, always prepare for the worst on your own terms. Save up some cash and stow it away in the bank or whatever for any medical emergencies. I used it as fuel to study veterinary nursing and only bought another hamster once I had learnt every sign and symptom that might pop up. I never want to be in that position again, useless and helpless.

I had a similar experience with my first hamster. I'm not going to go on a rant, but I was 16 and had no money or transport except for my mother who lives for work. I found my little girl on the cage floor ice cold and it took a full hour to get her responsive. I called my mum at work but she pretty much told me to F off over a stupid hamster. This went on for a few days and I kept her in my bed for that time feeding her water(she was very thirsty) and soft foods by hand with a little tea spoon. She was so weak that she just stayed in my hands and I cleaned her up when she soiled herself. I prayed that she would just pass away those nights. Then she started bleeding from her bottom and I freaked out and called my local vet who offered to see me for free. I had her put down and it was the saddest day of my life. 6 years later I still feel angry and extremely guilty about it but I hope that she knew how much I loved her in those last few days.

Answer 2

Oh you poor girl. I understand how you feel, i have previously owned two hamsters, both of which have passed away. I understand how you feel.

Right i have looked up the cause of your hamster's death and the fishy smell can be explained:

1. If you hamster was male it is most likely that it had a urine,bladder or kidney infection. This can happen in females (albeit, more rarely) and occurs in old age.

The fishy smell is a sign of one of those things.

Because hamsters are so small taking it to a vet would not have helped, only prolonged it's life a bit (making it in pain for longer). Operations on hamsters are very tricky with only a slim change of curing the hamster, so, no i don't think the vet could have helped.

It was NOT you fault that your pet died, it was nature. Don't be afraid to get a new hamster (wash the cage thoroughly before you do to eliminate the smell) and remember that everything dies eventually, it's natural. Your hamster lived to a ripe old age (1 year and 11 months is quite old). Don't feel guilty. It is normal to be sad, but instead of focusing on the negatives, focus on the positives like how lovely he was :)

I'm so sorry that you had to go through this, but it's life, and hopefully, you will get over it soon. :)

Best wishes,

Annie

xxx

Answer 3

First of all don't blame yourself, it sounds like you are a very pet caring person. Hamsters are lovely creatures but as you've found out, don't have a long life expectancy. The symptoms you describe suggest your pet died of natural causes and a vet would not have been able to do much at all. He died peacefully and you were there with him. What more could a hamster need? Maybe find a nice little box and some cotton wool and bury him in your garden or favourite place.

Only you will know when you are ready for another.

Answer 4

Don't be so hard on yourself. It sounds like he had a serious infection so there's probably not a lot the vet could have done. It could have been wet-tail. It's a nasty form of hamster diarrhea that is often fatal.



2 years is the average lifespan of a hamster but that means that some will live longer, some will live shorter lives. 1yr. 11 months is very normal.



It's always sad when you lose an animal that you love but it sounds like you gave him a good life.



By the way, if you get another hamster make sure you clean out the cage very thoroughly with disinfectant.

Answer 5

dont blame yourself hamsters dont live that long anyway and it sounds like youve taken good care of him, if you did take him to the vets it would just stress him out more and they will have put him down because he was old and they cant do anything to the hamsters. he was in the best possible place to go.and when my hamster died blood came out of its nose but there was nothing wrong with her.

Answer 6

ill be honest whit yah kid hamsters only live to be a couple years old he may have just been old 1yr and 11 ,months is a long time in hamster years but at least you took good care of him his last couple days