Multiple hamster death opinion

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 11-07-2015, 12:20 PM

Ok, I need the opinion of my fellow hamster owners.

If you knew someone who owned hamsters and all of them died after another, would you be suspicious about it? The hamsters would have been bought from a pet store one after another. The owner would have claimed that they have taken them to the vet. The owner further claims that the store breeder is at fault for breeding sick hamsters. Despite of this, said owner continues to buy from the same pet store chain and claims that all the stores are covered by the same breeder despite of the fact that they have driven hours away to buy a hamster.

I mean, people shy away from pet stores because of genetics and health but isn't it odd to have 5+ hamsters die under the same owner? What are the chances of that happening to someone?

Is this believable or is there something going on?

BrainGirl · 11-07-2015, 12:25 PM

I'm suspicious for sure. How long does this person have the hamsters before they die? Do you know anything about their care?

Pebbles82 · 11-07-2015, 12:27 PM

I'm not sure really. It could be that there is some disease lingering in the house from a previous sick hamster, or it could be that there is sickness in the pet shop and they are selling sick hamsters. I'm not an expert on quarantine - Nancy might know.

Assume someone you know keeps having hamsters dying and you are wondering about the conditions they are kept in? Maybe you could offer to visit and advise on diet and set up etc.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 11-07-2015, 12:43 PM

I've seen at least two hamsters die within a week of buying them.
I'm just not sure what to think or what to believe. This has been going on for about a couple months now.

The habitats are a detolf, bin cage and a tank. Owner said they have disinfected everything. I've also seen them let the new hamsters free roam on a bed the same day or a day after they buy them.

Wisper · 11-07-2015, 12:53 PM

It does seem odd that they would keep going back to the same place for animals if they suspected they were coming from a bad breeder. Personally I don't just run out to get a new animal after one has passed away.

Also if you are seeing the animals being interacted with only days after they were bought then it could be that all the hamsters are being stressed out rather than being allowed to settle in. Stress plus a lingering illness could be the cause.

The whole thing seems very strange, no one wants to jump to conclusions but also no one wants any form of animal cruelty to be going on. Its a tricky situation.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 11-07-2015, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wisper

It does seem odd that they would keep going back to the same place for animals if they suspected they were coming from a bad breeder. Personally I don't just run out to get a new animal after one has passed away.

Also if you are seeing the animals being interacted with only days after they were bought then it could be that all the hamsters are being stressed out rather than being allowed to settle in. Stress plus a lingering illness could be the cause.

The whole thing seems very strange, no one wants to jump to conclusions but also no one wants any form of animal cruelty to be going on. Its a tricky situation.

This is exactly what I think and how I feel. I just don't know what to think or if I'm just missing something that is swaying me to see things the wrong way.

Wisper · 11-07-2015, 01:32 PM

Its a sad situation, no one likes to think they are not helping animals that could be in need. If it was me I would try and find out a little more and maybe offer some friendly advice e.g about the stress issue.

Perhaps suggest that if another hamster does pass away they leave some time until getting another encase there is something in the house, like an illness or that it could be something simple to change like there being a toxic plant near the cages etc.

If good advice goes unnoticed and animals continue to die then I would be looking at contacting someone. Either someone associated with the person like a family member who might be able to help or last resort an animal charity like the RSPCA or ASPCA.

All the best to you, it must be hard. I do hope no more hammies die and the situation resolves itself, its not nice for anyone involved.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 11-07-2015, 01:57 PM

I've tried talking to them about hamster care and hamsters in general but they are more concerned with trying to figure out who is gossiping about them.

I truly don't feel comfortable with their priorities.

velma · 11-07-2015, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oatmeal_Cupcake

I've tried talking to them about hamster care and hamsters in general but they are more concerned with trying to figure out who is gossiping about them.

I truly don't feel comfortable with their priorities.

A lot of people get a bit defensive if they feel they are being told off (rightlyor wrongly).
Maybe a good tactic would be if you were talking about your hamster. It doesn't have to be strictly truthful but you can invent circumstances to bring it up so if you happened to be chatting you could drop into the converstaion that something had startled your hamster & you were having to keep a close on her eye because you'd recently been reading about wet tail and how dangerous it is & what the symptoms you need to look for etc etc. Or whatever you think the problem might be, find way to turn it into something (invented if need be) you're having to investigate. It might make her feel less defensive & think about things more.
It might help open a conversation with her.

Oatmeal_Cupcake · 11-07-2015, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by velma

A lot of people get a bit defensive if they feel they are being told off (rightlyor wrongly).
Maybe a good tactic would be if you were talking about your hamster. It doesn't have to be strictly truthful but you can invent circumstances to bring it up so if you happened to be chatting you could drop into the converstaion that something had startled your hamster & you were having to keep a close on her eye because you'd recently been reading about wet tail and how dangerous it is & what the symptoms you need to look for etc etc. Or whatever you think the problem might be, find way to turn it into something (invented if need be) you're having to investigate. It might make her feel less defensive & think about things more.
It might help open a conversation with her.

That ms a good idea. Still this owner is pretty dead set on just talking about who is saying what. It's at a point where they aren't interested in talking about hamsters at all. It's like I'm dealing with a toddler who is throwing a tantrum. I don't even know if there is a point in trying.