Hamster is really poorly - Page 2

Fluffchubbs19 · 03-12-2019, 04:33 AM

Sadly I gave her her antibiotics at 7 this morning. She is now slot worse she is shaking and falling when she walks. She won't accept any food or water. So just keeping her warm. Absolutely devastated, it's breaking my heart seeing her like this. Feel like we failed her :'(

souffle · 03-12-2019, 05:36 AM

You haven't failed her. It is nobodies fault and like I said the survival rate with wet tail is very low. Even if they survive they often die young due to the bowel damage. Ask her what she wants to do and if she gives a sign that she has had enough it may be time to give her rest away from her pain.
You tried your best and any decision was made from love for her. It was always right. We can only do our best and have the strength to know when the time has come to give the greatest gift of all.
I hope her path is gentle if that is what she is destined for xx

Pebbles82 · 03-12-2019, 07:15 AM

I am so sorry. I hope she pulls through. Talk gently to her and keep her warm - keep the room warm.

Fluffchubbs19 · 03-13-2019, 05:43 AM

Sadly she passed away last night, We were all absolutely devastated, who knew you could love a hamster you'd know for a month. It was my sons first pet too and my partners, My son is in so much pain over it he cried alot yesterday and i even heard him whimpering as he was falling asleep.

my other half stupidly said he can have another one to soften the blow. I'm really worried about that though if it happened to another one i don't know how we would all take it.
I'm not sure of protocol either, I have washed her cage on 1:9 parts bleach and water, then washed it in soapy water to remover smell, the used a small pet disinfectant. soaked for a while and gave a wipe over the let air dry over night. I also disinfected the table her cage was on. The cage really has barely been used and wasnt the cheapest. I have binned the water bottle as thought this can probably harbour bacteria in nooks and crannies.
How long should you wait before occupying the cage again? Cant find any information online? and should i clean it more?

Pebbles82 · 03-13-2019, 06:48 AM

I am so sorry xxx - I replied to your message about the cleaning and getting another one. Tell your little boy about the rainbow bridge.

The Rainbow Bridge

souffle · 03-13-2019, 06:52 AM

I am sorry you lost her. It is heartbreaking.
Read the rainbow bridge poem to your son and let him take part in the funeral.
I would suggest you don't rush in to a new hamster. Wet tail is very contagious and you need to leave everything empty for at least 3 weeks. Even the food or anything you have touched and then transferred bacteria on can remain contaminated.
We use Vircon to clean cages that have had sick animals in them : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Virkon-09-1...s%2C155&sr=8-4

Don't get a hamster from the same source as her either. I really would wait though as you don't want to risk anything again. Perhaps set a date maybe say in the Easter holidays then see if there are any breeders nearbye who might have a healthy tamed pup for you. Look on the Southern Hamster Club site for breeders in your area https://www.southernhamsterclub.co.u.../shc-breeders/

tell your son that he needs time to grieve for her and that waiting is good so that he feels ready to have another little hamster in his heart when it hurts less.

Fluffchubbs19 · 03-13-2019, 07:15 AM

Thank you souffle,
I will dispose of all food, treats, opened bedding ect. I live in cornwall UK so cant seem to find any breeders, a pet shop near by comes from a breeder. I got her from pets at home so wont go there again.
Ill wait til April then i'm sure he will be fine with it as he doesnt want to see another one sick! thanks for everyone advice its all been very helpful and much appreciated!

Pebbles82 · 03-13-2019, 07:17 AM

Yes it would be better to wait if it was wet tail. If you can leave all the cage items and cage out in the sun for a few days (if it's dry and sunny!) after disinfecting, that helps as well - air and sunshine are good disinfectors.

It is very sad - some hamsters have had stressful starts in their lives before getting to a pet shop and some pet shops aren't good. She may have had it before you got her and picked it up there.

I notice you're in Cornwall and a few Cornish members have said how hard it is to find Hamsters there, except for the large pet shops. I think there might be a pet rescue centre in Cornwall though and sometimes Gumtree has adverts for people wanting to rehome a hamster.

souffle · 03-13-2019, 07:52 AM

You also may want to think about a male hamster this time. Males exclude the risk of the serious problem pyometra which is a womb infection that females of any age can get. It is a frequent cause of loss of females.

Pebbles82 · 03-13-2019, 07:59 AM

I know you're in Cornwall and not Devon but - the Southern Hamster Club have a show in Dawlish (Devon) on 30th March and there will be hamsters for sale there from breeders - so you would get a healthy one and probably with a pedigree. It could also be something to look forward to. Although I know Cornwall is a big place and it's a long way to Dawlish! But it might make it special. You'd just need a good pet carrier for the journey back

Details here - breeders will be showing hamsters for judging which is why the categories are listed, but also selling some.

https://hamsters-uk.org/showdocument...awlish2019.pdf