Sudden Hamster Deaths

[GoStasia]

I have recently had two young hamsters die within two weeks of coming home. They were both weeks-months old male Syrians obtained from the same pet store. Their deaths were sudden - running around acting normally in morning, cold and lethargic by night. I spoke to the pet store, concerned these fellas had been poorly bred, but they had no reports of any other hamster deaths and suggested it maybe something in my home.

I have two children, 4 & 7, whose handling of hamsters are closely monitored. They are kept in a central room without drafts and out of direct sunlight. Provided with plenty of fresh water and pellets supplemented with fruit, veg and nuts - all following hamster safe food lists. Bedding is natural coloured paper bedding, cage cleaned weekly with mild soap and rinsed thoroughly. I have a wood burning fireplace located one floor below the hamster cage.

They were both given cardboard, pumice stone and popsicle sticks to chew on, but both did chew on painted metal bars of cage occasionally. Some fruits and veg may not have been washed before feeding to hamster and we were not diligent about removing uneaten food.

To be clear, I only had one hamster at a time, the second was a replacement for the first (awful, but the store gave us a two week guarantee)

Both hamsters were acting normally within 12 hours of death. They were both found cold and lethargic. The first I thought had gone into hibernation and was trying to revive with body heat and gentle rubbing. He began to make gasping motions (mouth wide like when they’re getting a huge carrot out of their cheek pouch) then turned blue and died. The second was also lethargic but still awake. He was belly crawling as if unable to stand. He too began gasping in my hands and making a squeaking, choking sound, then passed away. They both died within 1/2 hour of my finding them.

We have cared for these two hamsters exactly as we had previous hamsters and I cannot understand why they died. I am devastated by their deaths, especially the thought that I could have caused them. Any insight into what may have happened is appreciated as I’m not comfortable getting another hamster until this mystery is solved (we will not be going back to the same pet store and are looking into local breeders)

[cypher]

I'm so sorry, it's always very hard to lose a young ham but to lose two so young is very sad. If they die suddenly like this it is most likely to be some internal organ problem or weakness & not something you would be able to see coming. It really doesn't sound as though anything you've done or anything in their environment that would have caused this, it's often not possible to know why but it does sem like poor breeding could be a likely cause.

[Amethyst_ice]

Hello

Im sorry such sad circumstances bring you to the forum

I agree with Cyphar, it sounds more like a breeding problem and something internal.

Where do you live? Our members can recommend some good breeders if you ever feel ready to try have a hammy again

x

[Petite]

GoStasia, how devastating this must have been for you. I am so sorry for your loss.

Just a few thoughts:
The fact that they both made the same gasping noises could perhaps give some clue to their deaths. Could they have got something stuck in their throats?
Were the cages new with pet-safe paint on the bars?
Have you introduced any new food, accessories, or bedding that you have only used for these two?
Have your previous hamster cages been located in the same room?
Were their supplemented food treats washed?
Have you made any checks on the safety of your fireplace in case of leaks of potentially harmful chemicals?
It's hard to watch children all the time - so could they have poked anything through the bars of the cages that may have harmed them?

It's always distressing when a loved pet dies (I have just lost a one-year-old winter white dwarf) but to have lost two in such a short space of time is even worse.

I'm glad you are looking into getting a new hamster from a local breeder, and hope you can manage to solve the mystery of what happened to your hammies prior to homing another one. This shows you to be a caring and responsible owner, and I hope you have much joy with any other future hamster friends. Good luck.

[Engel]

Have you had a gas check recently? Small animals will be the first to go.

[LunaTheHamster1]

I am sorry for what you have gone through. Apart from checking for carbon monoxide poisoning/gas leaks and if you don't have any of those plug in air freshener type things etc I would be thinking that they were sadly just defects they were born with.

[Pebbles82]

As Luna says - if a carbon monoxide monitor in the room shows no issues, it is likely they either had some genetic predisposition to something (possibly a weak heart), or it could even be that the first one was carrying an illness and the second one picked it up from something in the cage. Assume you completely disinfected everything after the first one died, but even then people often advise not using the same cage for a good 2 or 3 weeks, if there's been illness or disease.

I am so sorry- it is terribly sad and distressing for you. Absolutely don't go to the same pet shop. It can be hard to find breeders and especially a breeder who has hamsters available. Another option is to look at Hamster rescues or the RSPCA. I have this theory that any hamster who is healthy after being rescued, has tough genes! A lot of RSPCA branches don't keep hamsters any more. What region are you in? And are you in the Uk?

[GoStasia]

Thanks all for your quick and helpful advice. I have a carbon monoxide detector beside the fireplace so I don’t think that’s the issue. I will leave the cage cleaned and emptied for a few weeks and be sure all future foods are well washed before sharing with hammies.

I live in Ontario, Canada - close to Toronto - and have found one breeder that seems good Strong Brew Hamstery. I’m not ready to get a new hamster just yet but will be sure to only go to a breeder from now on.

[Coco61]

Strong Brew Hamstery used to post regularly on here but not for some time. She certainly seemed intent on good quality ethical breeding. Hopefully still breeding for you.