I dont know what to do... :(

[femke]

i'm so upset... my stepsons hamster got out again. It has like a million times before but we always find it right away. We finally fixed the cage so he couldn't get out anymore. Well now my stepson must have not closed the lid on properly last time he took him out coz yesterdaymorning the hamster was gone again. We went to go and find it but couldn't! We did find half an aten chocolate cookie on the floor... and then lots of hamsterdiarhea in my stepson's dresser. We finally found the poor thing in the closet all covered in diarhea and looking absolutely sick... I told my hubby clean him and take care of him during the day (I was running late for work)

he gave him a bath........... fluffy seemed to be doing a bit better yesterday when I got home from work. we cleaned his cage and held him for a long time and then put him back. He went to sleep and has slept for most of the time. I just got him out and he's all wobly... he's not interested in his food at all, he seemed to want to drink but had a hard time so I helped him. I'm soo worried about him but don't know what to do. Should I take him to a vet tomorrow? Is there even anything a vet would be able to do for a hamster? I even gave him his favorite treat but he doesn't want it... I really dont want him to die

 

[Zoom]

I don't know. He sounds pretty sick though. Get well Fluffy!

 

[femke]

all he seems to want to do is sleep... I took him out for a bit and then he seems a bit more active (still very wobly tho) but in his cage when i put his treat down he went and got it but then when he goes to eat it it's like he is just too tired to do anything and goes back to sleep... I'm just praying he won't die... I feel like it's all my fault... if only i'd cleaned his cage friday like I said I was going to then I would have noticed the lid not being on tight... if only i'd cleaned up my stepsons room like I said I would I would have found the cookie and thrown it out... i'm scared he might have caught pneumonia (sp?) from the bath... all I can do now is let him sleep and hope for the best (for tonight anyway) thanks for your reply.

 

[Wings]

I do not know anything about hamster but I hope fluffy gets well soon

 

[yoko]

if you think he got sick from the bath then i'd take him in... don't know what the vet would do never had that happen to me. as for the chocolate, i don't know if there's much that can be done if its the chocolate making him sick because i think that it'd be completely digested and in his system by now. i hope he gets better!! i love hamsters so much

 

[femke]

thanks for the replies, not much has changed since last night with poor fluffy he is still sleeping a lot but he's also shaking quite a bit. I dont think it's pneumonia tho because he's not weezing (while breating) or sneezing or coughing at all, there's also no goo coming out of his eyes or nose so I really do think it's the chocolate... I hope he pulls through... I'll keep you guys updated

 

[IcyMist]

You need to take that poor thing to the vet if you can. It really sounds like it is suffering and maybe the vet could help it or stop its suffering. I would call around until you find a vet who treats hamsters and get it to them IMMEDIATELY.

 

[femke]

He died this morning there wasn't anything we could do... We kept him warm and comfy and talked to him and pet him. He was pretty much in a coma for the last 12 hours... Thursday my stepson is coming and then I'll have to tell him... we're not telling him about the cookie because we dont want him to blame himself. I'll miss Fluffy... he was the best hamster I've ever known, such a friendly little guy...

 

[Julie]

Sorry to hear about Fluffy.

I hope your stepson takes it okay.

 

[thewhitewitchone]

Fluffy was a beautiful little hamster. I'm so sorry for your loss, Femke.

Pam

 

[Kase]

Sorry for your loss. You did all you could for Fluffy and made him comfortable.

 

[PB632]

Sorry for your loss.

He was real pretty.
I have lots of experience with breeding and caring for hamsters.

The diarrhoea, is actually what is called 'wet tail' in hamsters, the cause of this is from eating something that cannot be digested properly and causes diarrhoea.

Also bathing a hamster isn't a good idea. It can cause several more problems.
The hamster was already was ill with wet tail, threfore his immune system wasnt as strong as it could have been. Bathing him caused a secondary infection, pneumonia which lead to the major illnesses.

Don't feel bad though, it happens and i kno when you have other pets its hard to keep ontop of everything.

Such a gorgeous hamster though.

 

[Melissa_W]

Aw, I'm so sorry to hear that. What a sad story. I hope you and your family feel better soon.

 

[yoko]

i'm so sorry! pb is right hamsters can get sick and they're really hard to treat once they get sick i know how you must be feeling the first pet i was ever allowed to own was a hamster and i loved him so much and cried for so long after he died