I think I killed my hamster :(

ccbloom · 01-09-2017, 08:59 AM

My hamster, Seven, passed away early Saturday morning. Last week, I'd noticed that she hadn't been coming out to eat the veggies I left for her, she was sluggish and shaky/wobbly while walking around her cage, if she did come out of her nest at all. All very unusual behavior for her.

I checked for wet tail, tried giving her the rehydration treatment, etc. but she was just too weak and looked as if she was suffering to breathe.

We had just gotten her about 3 months ago, and prior to this, the hamster we had before her had showed the same symptoms just before passing. This previous hamster was about 2 years old, and I thought it was just her time.

So, fast-forward, and I've been thinking about how these two could pass away and show the same symptoms when I know one was older and one was much younger. I was thinking it was because both were bar chewers and maybe something in the bars had gotten lodged in their airways?

Well, I think I found the culprit! I had just changed Seven's cage a day prior to her starting to show symptoms. I used a new bedding. After doing a bit of research, I'm learning that it contains baking soda and can cause respiratory issues and death in small animals!

I feel HORRIBLE. Completely sad about the whole thing.

Has anyone else ever had issues with this?

huri ur · 01-09-2017, 02:00 PM

Aww that's too bad, I'm sorry
Just change the bedding if you get a new hammy
Hope this helps

Drago · 01-09-2017, 02:09 PM

I'm so sorry, and I hope you're coping alright. We all make mistakes sometimes, like you saw in the thread about my little one Spider Cider (A.K.A Spider), I made the mistake of not rushing her to the vet as soon as I noticed something was wrong. Instead I hesitated and this cost the life of my little one. But, the good part of making a mistake is that we learn from it. I've learned that if I even speculate something's wrong, I will take them to the vet straight away, and you will now likely make sure to read packaging carefully. Don't blame yourself too much, and rememeber that you were a good owner, even the best of us make mistakes.

Pebbles82 · 01-09-2017, 02:34 PM

I'm so sorry to hear about your hammies. Are you sure the bedding contained baking soda? There was a bit of a do about one brand having it in, but they stopped putting it in about a year ago - although there were certain batch numbers to look out for with old stock.

I'm guessing you're in the US? Kaytee Clean and Cozy and Boxo are popular reputable substrates. Oxbow pure comfort paper bedding is ok as well (I've used that). Boxo is the cheapest I think and can be bought in bulk (soft cardboard)/paper bedding).

It is very upsetting when something like this happens. But I am sure you will feel ready to have another little hamster soon. And then you can be prepared. You said they both chewed bars. Were the cages big enough (I know in the US there are very few decent sized cages which is why most people use glass tanks or bin cages). Diet is also important. A hamster mix that is sugar free and contains all the nutrients required is a basic (Harry Hamster and Hazel Hamster fit the bill - they are identical just branded differently for different countries). They could do with a bit of supplementing of protein in the hamster's first year. A piece of cheese and half a brazil nut once a week or a bit of scrambled egg on a teaspoon

Mealworms too if you can handle that! (Not live ones, they bite). And a small piece of veg every day - they really love veg. Broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber are all safe veg. Just a 1cm square size piece (doesn't have to be square, that's just to give an idea of size).

Other than that they need a house big enough to build a good sized nest in, some variety in the cage (deep substrate, tubes and tunnels, hidey places and the odd toy) - a shelf helps - to sit on and under. And lots and lots of nesting material. Plain white toilet paper torn into strips is safest and they like it. Another hazard is fluffy bedding which is sometimes sold for hamsters - it can get wound round teeth and limbs or cause internal blockages.

Your little hammies are playing free over the rainbow bridge now. xxx

ccbloom · 01-11-2017, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

I'm so sorry to hear about your hammies. Are you sure the bedding contained baking soda? There was a bit of a do about one brand having it in, but they stopped putting it in about a year ago - although there were certain batch numbers to look out for with old stock.

Yes, the bag said "with baking soda".

We have bin cages for the hamsters. They are quite large and came right from our hamster breeder. Feeding was going well. The only thing that really changed was the bedding.

Pebbles82 · 01-11-2017, 07:32 AM

I have heard of this being an issue and clearly baking soda wouldn't be good for hamsters. I am so sorry this happened. You didn't kill your hammies though xxx They were victims of a bad product (fluffy bedding has had a fair few casualties as well). It's also very difficult to prove such things so you're not likely to be able to get any apology or comeback from it. It sounds like your first hammy had a long happy life with you and much love and care and it is very sad about the younger second hammy.

The only positive thing I can think to say is - at least it won't happen again now. My Grandma lost 12 budgies before she found out they were all dying of lead poisoning from pecking the lead off her windows.