Lady Fluff
10-09-2008, 02:56 AM
never wanted to post this, but my poor little Pumpkin was put to sleep yesterday
I think it was a stroke in the night. She wouldn't eat or drink when I found her, crouched by her wheel, just after 6 in the morning. When she tried walking she didn't get very far and was having to drag herself, and when she stood still, she was wobbling from side to side. It was breaking my heart to watch her, and I just kept stroking her and trying to comfort her as much as possible. She must have been in pain, as she tried to bite me and flew onto her back when I tried to pick her up the first time - totally unlike her - though I managed to get her out with her towel.
I got to the vets for as soon as they opened. The vet I saw didn't clarify exactly what was wrong with - presumably they can't from a short physical examination - but he said she was "seriously ill" and was having breathing trouble - her breath had been laboured all morning, and she'd been making a ticking noise as she did it. He said he could prescribe some medicine for 24 hours and see how she is tomorrow with no guarantees, but she was so poorly, and with the not eating or drinking either, it just didn't seem fair for her to suffer any longer, as she was clearly distressed.
I took her little body home and have buried her in the woods near my house, in a pretty little spot. I miss her so much already. She was my first hammy, and no matter how many others I may have, she will always be my first, my beautiful girl.
Sleep tight gorgeous girl, you'll stay in my heart forever
I think it was a stroke in the night. She wouldn't eat or drink when I found her, crouched by her wheel, just after 6 in the morning. When she tried walking she didn't get very far and was having to drag herself, and when she stood still, she was wobbling from side to side. It was breaking my heart to watch her, and I just kept stroking her and trying to comfort her as much as possible. She must have been in pain, as she tried to bite me and flew onto her back when I tried to pick her up the first time - totally unlike her - though I managed to get her out with her towel.
I got to the vets for as soon as they opened. The vet I saw didn't clarify exactly what was wrong with - presumably they can't from a short physical examination - but he said she was "seriously ill" and was having breathing trouble - her breath had been laboured all morning, and she'd been making a ticking noise as she did it. He said he could prescribe some medicine for 24 hours and see how she is tomorrow with no guarantees, but she was so poorly, and with the not eating or drinking either, it just didn't seem fair for her to suffer any longer, as she was clearly distressed.
I took her little body home and have buried her in the woods near my house, in a pretty little spot. I miss her so much already. She was my first hammy, and no matter how many others I may have, she will always be my first, my beautiful girl.
Sleep tight gorgeous girl, you'll stay in my heart forever