Appears to have died but still floppy?

thebadfairy · 06-04-2013, 01:46 PM

I found one of my boys (8 months old syrian) curled up in his nest on Sunday evening. He was cold to touch and a little stiff but still very flexible. Over the last 2 days we have tried giving him sugary water, warming him up and rubbing him but we have seen no response except that he is now completely floppy. When I carefully opened his mouth with a very tiny syringe, his skin seems to be like old elastic and has not gone properly back into place. His nose and his mouth are still pink. Has anyone ever had a hamster that has hibernated for this long? We don't want to give up on him while he is still floppy so presumably still alive?

souffle · 06-04-2013, 02:01 PM

After death rigor mortis does not last that long and then the body becomes soft again.
The key to knowing if he has passed over is to look at the nail beds. Where the claws join the toe at death the blood clots here and they turn dark coloured or black.
If they are black he has died. If not then there is something seriously wrong and you need to see a vet as he must be deeply unconcious, Hibernators come back in about 30mins when warmed.
I'm sorry he has passed over x

thebadfairy · 06-04-2013, 02:13 PM

His nail beds look bright red but not dark. How is it that his nose and mouth are still pink? He is starting to smell so we suspect he is not hibernating. Unfortunately I am doing 3 long days at work so can not get to a vet until Thursday.

The Hamster's family · 06-04-2013, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebadfairy

His nail beds look bright red but not dark. How is it that his nose and mouth are still pink? He is starting to smell so we suspect he is not hibernating. Unfortunately I am doing 3 long days at work so can not get to a vet until Thursday.

I think you should consider asking someone to go to the vet for you if he didn't passed... It's URGENT...

souffle · 06-05-2013, 12:01 AM

Bright red means he has passed over. They would be pale pink if blood was flowing through them. I'm sorry he has passed over if his body is degenerating. I think the nose and mouth are just pink due to the pigment there and the blood that has clotted there too.
I would lay him to rest now in the garden xxx Play well at the bridge little one.

Gazmo · 06-05-2013, 12:14 AM

im sorry he passed.. play well little one

thebadfairy · 06-05-2013, 12:50 PM

Thanks for your advice. I got home about 30 minutes ago and straight away put him with his dad who we lost a few months ago. He joins 3 other hamsters and 5 degus.

shiny · 06-06-2013, 02:29 PM

Sorry about your boy

Hamsterlover2020 · 11-08-2020, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

After death rigor mortis does not last that long and then the body becomes soft again.
The key to knowing if he has passed over is to look at the nail beds. Where the claws join the toe at death the blood clots here and they turn dark coloured or black.
If they are black he has died. If not then there is something seriously wrong and you need to see a vet as he must be deeply unconcious, Hibernators come back in about 30mins when warmed.
I'm sorry he has passed over x

I wasn't sure if my hamster was hibernating as she wasn't moving. I tried heat and she still isn't awake. Her nail beds are dark red but she isn't stiff. Do you think she has passed? ): I'm taking her to the vets today to see.