Help help help!!!!

Cujo · 07-02-2015, 11:04 PM

One of my housemates decided to throw something in my hamsters xage!!!!! It's white and smells like flea powder(I've had multiple cats and dogs I know what flea powder smells like) it's everywheee, it's all over him, it's on his igloo, one side of a toilet paper tube, all over the back side of his wheel in his food dish, in his food the bars and top of his cage his fur is clumpy help me help me help me!!! I'm freaking out and terrified and scared I don't know if he's eaten any

Pebbles82 · 07-02-2015, 11:18 PM

That is an awful thing to happen. Have you asked this housemate what it is they have thrown in the cage? I know confrontation isn't pleasant, but it does need confronting (and you need the information as to what they've thrown in). If you were in the Uk I would suggest telling them if they ever do that again you will report them to the RSPCA for animal cruelty but I don't know what the equivalent is in the US. House mates can be replaced.

So - first things first - take Cujo out of his cage. Do you have a pet carrier or large cardboard box you can put him in for now? Brush him down with your toothbrush (you can get another toothbrush) and maybe a very slightly damp cloth to remove most of it, then maybe put a sandbath in with him so he can clean himself. Then take everything out of the cage and clean it. If you find out what it is that has been thrown in the cage you'll know how much cleaning is required. If it's just something like wheat flour it'll just be a case of dusting things off and spot cleaning, but if it is something toxic or similar, you'll need to wash everything thoroughly, replace all the substrate, bin the cardboard stuff and replace it with new.

Unless you get a satisfactory explanation (it might have been an accident) I would be very tempted to call someone - animal welfare or even the police, and report it. It's animal cruelty at least and maybe even harrassment.

If you know what flea powder is and think it smells like that, then ask if it is - it would help to know. If they aren't there to ask just assume it is and then you'll need to do a thorough clean. If you haven't got any chinchilla bathing sand for a sand bath just put a lot of new substrate in with him in the pet carrier/box and some treats or a chew. Try not to panic. Hamsters don't tend to eat things that they sense aren't good for them. Check there isn't any in his eyes - if there is you may need to bath his eyes with warm water and a clean cloth or some cotton buds or gauze - very gently.

Cujo · 07-02-2015, 11:36 PM

I'm trying to clean every thing now, and somebody did something to his water. His waterborne was almost empty I know because I was going to fill it as soon as I got home tonight, his water is milky white and smells like acid and it was full

Cujo · 07-02-2015, 11:50 PM

I found a spray under the sink.sergeants silver flea and tick spray for dogs and puppies 8fl Oz bottle. Milky white. Looks just like what was in his water bottle and food dish and him and eve dry thing else!!! I sprayed a little and waited, it looks the same, smells the same what do I do!!?!

phinox · 07-02-2015, 11:50 PM

Call The police and report this please, also might be worth calling the spca

Pebbles82 · 07-02-2015, 11:52 PM

That is pretty serious if someone is trying to poison your hamster. If you haven't emptied it out I would keep it to give to the authorities as evidence of attempted poisoning. If you don't have another water bottle, put a little dish of water out for now. It might be a good idea to take him to the vets to be checked over and to get some advice on what to do if he has eaten or drunk anything. Tell the vet what has happened and they may report it.

I know this is a stressful thing to do, when it is someone you share a house with, but I would call the police - attempting to poison an animal must be illegal in the US and even if it turns out not to be poisonous, it is hazardous and extremely cruel.

Just read your post about finding the flea and tick stuff and posted at the same time as phinox. Even if they argue they were 'treating' it for fleas there is no reason to put it in the water as that will be harmful and clearly intended to be. Do call the police and spca.

When you say housemate, I hope it isn't a boyfriend is it? I can see that would be harder to deal with.

Cujo · 07-03-2015, 12:16 AM

This is his skin, i shouldnt have emptied his waterbottle. Ill put his other food dish out with watr for now, im going to the petsmart near me first thing in the morning. It has a vet attatched. The stuff is in everything, ill see if i can return/exchange everything. uploading pics now

Cujo · 07-03-2015, 12:23 AM

I want to call th epolice. I really do. But the people i live with arent nice people and they are liars. Nobody knows what happened and apparently nobody did it(I know who did it) and the cops here are crooked and corrupt. I would like to take it out on that person personally but i know i cant. im so angry and scared for my poor little cujo.

Cujo · 07-03-2015, 12:24 AM

The police wouldnt care, theyd say"its just a hamster" even though i know that animal cruelty is a felony in all 50 states now

Pebbles82 · 07-03-2015, 12:44 AM

I don't think the SPCA would say 'it's just a Hamster'. I feel quite upset just thinking about someone doing that to your Hamster. When it is a family member who has done it as well it makes it awkward. You said their dog had fleas so ignorance could account for them putting flea powder in the hamster cage, but not in the water! If it's your boyfriend's brother, maybe your boyfriend can deal with it with his brother. It does sound like someone needs to move out though, if you want to feel your pet is safe.