Swollen hamster.

[Shazzy19]

My daughters hamster died today.only had it 3 months.had a appointment at vet this afternoon. But passed at dinner time.really upset.it was wobbly but was really swollen.my daughter noticed the other night.any answers. Would be good.

[souffle]

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. The most common cause is a bowel blockage usually due to fabric or fluffy bedding. In female hamsters they can also get a womb infection at any age which causes the womb to fill with pus and the swelling. There is little can be done for either of these conditions unless caught very early. Some hamsters can be born with liver or kidney or even heart defects which as they grow cause problems and fluid to gather in the abdomen.
You will probably never know. Run free at the bridge little one x

[Pebbles82]

I am so sorry. It is heartbreaking when this happens with a very young hamster and recent pet. If you haven’t used any fluffy bedding then as Soufflé says it is most likely some genetic predisposition which sadly can be the case with some pet store hamsters due to breeding practices by the people who supply them. It is often pot luck with a pet store hamster. Please don’t let it put you off having a hamster - there are plenty of hamsters who need rejoining and to have a good home. Either unwanted pets on gumtree or animal rescues from bad conditions. I reckon any rescue hamster who has survived being rescued is pretty healthy! You could also get a hamster from a breeder. There is a list of official breeders on the National Hamster Council website. Although it can be hard to find a breeder who has hamsters available at the time you want one. Also smaller local pet stores often have good hamsters and have their own reliable breeder. An NHC breeder hamster will have a pedigree with the genetic history known. That is not 100% guarantee. As with humans sometimes a pet can be born with a hidden condition such as a weak heart although it seems to be a very rare occurrence with pedigree hamsters.

You must all feel very upset - it can help when you have had a little funeral or ceremony to say goodbye. And do remember that the hamster was lucky enough to have had a loving home and owners for her short life.

If you were sold any “fluffy bedding “ by the pet store then bin it. It is dangerous stuff and can lead to blockages and amputations (it can get warapped around legs and cut the circulation off). There are petitions to ban it but pet stores are allowed to sell it. It is best not to have anything fabric in a hamster cage. The safest nesting material is plain white toilet paper torn into strips. The thinner cheaper stuff is better than the thick quality stuff as it’s more dissolvable in liquid. That had been used safely by many owners for many years. A big pile of it in the cage (but mot in the house) . Hamsters take it to build a nest with and it’s good for them to forage for it and build their own nest.

The only other thing I can think of is internal injury if the hamster has had a fall. It is why tall cages aren’t recommended. They do need a good sized cage but need the floor area and not the height. They are basically ground dwellers and diggers and only really climb to reach something they need (or to try and escape!). And while they are ok at climbing they are not good at getting down again and tend to just drop or fall (they really don’t see much).

I am not sure what kind of cage you have but again pet stores are legally allowed to sell anything - there is no regulation. So if getting another hamster it’s a good idea to get everything set up in advance. Zooplus sell good hamster cages - between 80 and 100 cm Lon floor area. The Alaska, Barney and Alexander are all suitable and popular. Even then it is best to have any hard or sharp items under a shelf so they can’t be fallen on and have at least 3 to 4 “ substrate/litter to give a soft landing.

Wheels can cause injuries as well so no mesh wheels. It needs a solid running surface and mostt wheels are too small 8” diameter is bare minimum for a Syrian to avoid back pain or back injury.

RIP your little girl hamster xxx She is playing free at the rainbow bridge now, free from suffering - but they leave a big home in our heats. I am sure a new baby or adult hamster would love a home with you though when you feel ready.

That should say re-homing not rejoining!

[BubbyandHamper]

Rest in peace, young hamster lady. Play well at the bridge.

I'm sorry for your loss.