Smara
04-08-2014, 09:07 AM
A bit more than a week ago we (me and my boyfriend) lost our sweetest little fur ball Mr.Coopy. He was our first hamster (winter white pearl dwarf) and his passing left this painful empty space that I really feel the need to express. He was 2.5 years old and was treasured and loved from the first day we got him till his last moments.
It all came very suddenly, he became increasingly ill over the course of just a few days. He was his usual cute and rodenty self, eating normally, loving his broccoli and sunflower seeds, running around, exercising, gnawing in carton tubes, happy as usual, just as we knew him from the start. Then one evening I noticed him making this very discrete sound when I picked him up and took him to a different room. Right then I thought the sound was just him trying to tell me he does not appreciate the sudden change of environment and that it was not the right time, just as he did when we first got him and he wasn't tame yet. It sounded like he was making it with his teeth and since it stopped when I put him back in his cage I didn't consider it to be a red flag. Two days later this clicking, squeaky noise had become louder, constant and was occurring every time he breathed in. I also noticed his breathing was more rapid and seemed to be somewhat labored, symptoms that were just not there before. I quickly realized it must be some sort of incipient respiratory infection and decided to take him to the vet after the weekend if the situation didn't show signs of improvement (it was Friday afternoon then).
Things only got worse and fast. Two days later it got really clear that he is not suffering just from a common cold but there must be something a lot worse going on. He was obviously not feeling well at all. He was agitated, only sleeping in short intervals, was out of his nest when awake but he would often fall asleep in weird places and in weird positions (lying on his side or flat on the ground with his head and neck extended). While awake he would eat, drink , groom and explore but did so in a crouched position, looking exhausted, wobbly and his breathing made it clear things were serious. Of course witnessing all this made me go in emergency mode...I was desperately worried for him and was barely able to function normally. I was shattered.
Early on Monday he was seen by a vet, was diagnosed with pneumonia and started a 7-day course of Bactrim which he hated despite the sweet banana taste. At this point there was hope and we were expecting to see improvement rather quickly as the antibiotic would resolve the bacterial infection. Unfortunately days passed and there was barely any improvement. His breathing didn't get any better and his appetite decreased considerably. I began offering him soft foods from a little spoon as many times a day as possible (usually every 2-3 hours) in combination with all the possible good and nourishing foods and treats a hamster might like. He really appreciated this and ate eagerly but his overall state was not looking good at all. Many times I thought we were losing him and that he will not survive another night, a horrible thought and feeling, but he did and was there every morning when I fearfully went to check on him. He fought bravely and his will to live was amazing...till the very end.
Five days after starting antibiotic treatment I took him to the vet again. If there was anything to be done to help him it had to be done quick. On top of his respiratory problems he developed what I then thought to be an impacted cheek pouch. For the past 2 days he was excessively scratching around his little mouth and seemed to be unable to empty his cheeks. The vet was not able to do anything about that as she didn't have the necessary equipment...and she was supposed to be specialized in exotic pets......
Next day I already had an appointment at what I researched to be one of the best veterinary practices in Stockholm (where we live) and he was examined by a competent and experienced vet. Turns out he had a tumor in one of his cheek pouches that most likely metastasized to the lungs creating the respiratory distress. My world crumbled as I had to make the worst decision of all...it was time to let him go. It was the right thing to do and the only decent thing and loving thing I could do for him.
I was with him till the very end...stroking his soft white fur, telling him how loved he was, singing softly for a while and assuring him that all will be ok soon. It was excruciating but i wouldn't have it any other way. I was going to be next to him all the way. His will to live impressed everyone as he had to receive a double dose of tranquilizing agent before any effect. A short while later he was gone...his eyes suddenly became cloudy and his breathing ceased. Time stopped.
I took him home where my boyfriend and I mourned his passing, barely able to say anything for a while. We were both crushed. Our little furry darling was gone.
So now it is all about healing and coming to terms with the loss. When the pain dissipates we will remember him with a glad heart. For being such a small creature he brought so much joy into our lives. We loved him so much.
Farewell little one, run free at the rainbow bridge and know that you will always have a part of our hearts there with you.
And for all of us here, we should treasure each day with our beloved furballs as their lives are so short and they are always gone too soon.
It all came very suddenly, he became increasingly ill over the course of just a few days. He was his usual cute and rodenty self, eating normally, loving his broccoli and sunflower seeds, running around, exercising, gnawing in carton tubes, happy as usual, just as we knew him from the start. Then one evening I noticed him making this very discrete sound when I picked him up and took him to a different room. Right then I thought the sound was just him trying to tell me he does not appreciate the sudden change of environment and that it was not the right time, just as he did when we first got him and he wasn't tame yet. It sounded like he was making it with his teeth and since it stopped when I put him back in his cage I didn't consider it to be a red flag. Two days later this clicking, squeaky noise had become louder, constant and was occurring every time he breathed in. I also noticed his breathing was more rapid and seemed to be somewhat labored, symptoms that were just not there before. I quickly realized it must be some sort of incipient respiratory infection and decided to take him to the vet after the weekend if the situation didn't show signs of improvement (it was Friday afternoon then).
Things only got worse and fast. Two days later it got really clear that he is not suffering just from a common cold but there must be something a lot worse going on. He was obviously not feeling well at all. He was agitated, only sleeping in short intervals, was out of his nest when awake but he would often fall asleep in weird places and in weird positions (lying on his side or flat on the ground with his head and neck extended). While awake he would eat, drink , groom and explore but did so in a crouched position, looking exhausted, wobbly and his breathing made it clear things were serious. Of course witnessing all this made me go in emergency mode...I was desperately worried for him and was barely able to function normally. I was shattered.
Early on Monday he was seen by a vet, was diagnosed with pneumonia and started a 7-day course of Bactrim which he hated despite the sweet banana taste. At this point there was hope and we were expecting to see improvement rather quickly as the antibiotic would resolve the bacterial infection. Unfortunately days passed and there was barely any improvement. His breathing didn't get any better and his appetite decreased considerably. I began offering him soft foods from a little spoon as many times a day as possible (usually every 2-3 hours) in combination with all the possible good and nourishing foods and treats a hamster might like. He really appreciated this and ate eagerly but his overall state was not looking good at all. Many times I thought we were losing him and that he will not survive another night, a horrible thought and feeling, but he did and was there every morning when I fearfully went to check on him. He fought bravely and his will to live was amazing...till the very end.
Five days after starting antibiotic treatment I took him to the vet again. If there was anything to be done to help him it had to be done quick. On top of his respiratory problems he developed what I then thought to be an impacted cheek pouch. For the past 2 days he was excessively scratching around his little mouth and seemed to be unable to empty his cheeks. The vet was not able to do anything about that as she didn't have the necessary equipment...and she was supposed to be specialized in exotic pets......
Next day I already had an appointment at what I researched to be one of the best veterinary practices in Stockholm (where we live) and he was examined by a competent and experienced vet. Turns out he had a tumor in one of his cheek pouches that most likely metastasized to the lungs creating the respiratory distress. My world crumbled as I had to make the worst decision of all...it was time to let him go. It was the right thing to do and the only decent thing and loving thing I could do for him.
I was with him till the very end...stroking his soft white fur, telling him how loved he was, singing softly for a while and assuring him that all will be ok soon. It was excruciating but i wouldn't have it any other way. I was going to be next to him all the way. His will to live impressed everyone as he had to receive a double dose of tranquilizing agent before any effect. A short while later he was gone...his eyes suddenly became cloudy and his breathing ceased. Time stopped.
I took him home where my boyfriend and I mourned his passing, barely able to say anything for a while. We were both crushed. Our little furry darling was gone.
So now it is all about healing and coming to terms with the loss. When the pain dissipates we will remember him with a glad heart. For being such a small creature he brought so much joy into our lives. We loved him so much.
Farewell little one, run free at the rainbow bridge and know that you will always have a part of our hearts there with you.
And for all of us here, we should treasure each day with our beloved furballs as their lives are so short and they are always gone too soon.