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Pebbles82 · 10-11-2017, 04:09 AM

That must have been so hard losing a hammy at 5 months so mysteriously. But I don't think there is anything you could have done, even with health checks. In those kind of cases it is most likely to have been a congenital defect or disease they were born with - maybe a heart problem. And just very sad. Vet visits are stressful for hammies and it could end up causing problems. They are best saved for if there is an illness or condition.

The best thing is to just let them feel safe and enjoy their surroundings in their cage (not too many big clean outs), and bond with you and feel loved. You can do a kind of checkover once a week or so when they are having out of cage time. But my philosophy has always been - leave well alone if they look happy, healthy and active.

If there is an injury or your hammy seems unwell, then yes a good vet is important. Most vets don't know that much about hamsters - an exotic vet is best. Is the one who does blood tests an exotic vet? It's good to be registered with a good exotic vet in case you need them, but regular checks are a bad idea really.

Most vets don't take blood from hamsters because it is very difficult and highly specialised. Their veins are so small. I think the only place possible is near the ear area. It would only really be done if something very serious was suspected - eg Cushings disease. Have a look at Coco's sticky about diagnosis and treatment for Cushings disease. It is a nasty disease and a blood test can confirm it. You would suspect it if your hamster had a lot of hair loss in big patches. Although this can be normal in an older hamster.

I think the best care and check you can give is at home, with bonding and love

I do understand how awful it must be to lose a hamster so young and wonder if you could have done more, but I doubt very much there is anything you could have done and it was just a cruel fate of nature and a weak heart or other congenital issue internally xxxx

So - lots of enrichment in a cage, a safe set up, spot clean and avoid big clean outs all the time, lots of love and a good diet and you'll have happy, healthy hamsters. Any lumps or bleeding or other signs of ill health need checking by a vet of course xxx With female hamsters, pyometra is a risk so any swelling or unusual discharge needs a vet visit.

10-11-2017, 04:09 AM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: How to have a precise vet check? That must have been so hard losing a hammy at 5 months so mysteriously. But I don't think there is anything you could have done, even with health checks. In those kind of cases it is most likely to have been a congenital defect or disease they were born with - maybe a heart problem. And just very sad. Vet visits are stressful for hammies and it could end up causing problems. They are best saved for if there is an illness or condition. The best thing is to just let them feel safe and enjoy their surroundings in their cage (not too many big clean outs), and bond with you and feel loved. You can do a kind of checkover once a week or so when they are having out of cage time. But my philosophy has always been - leave well alone if they look happy, healthy and active. If there is an injury or your hammy seems unwell, then yes a good vet is important. Most vets don't know that much about hamsters - an exotic vet is best. Is the one who does blood tests an exotic vet? It's good to be registered with a good exotic vet in case you need them, but regular checks are a bad idea really. Most vets don't take blood from hamsters because it is very difficult and highly specialised. Their veins are so small. I think the only place possible is near the ear area. It would only really be done if something very serious was suspected - eg Cushings disease. Have a look at Coco's sticky about diagnosis and treatment for Cushings disease. It is a nasty disease and a blood test can confirm it. You would suspect it if your hamster had a lot of hair loss in big patches. Although this can be normal in an older hamster. I think the best care and check you can give is at home, with bonding and love I do understand how awful it must be to lose a hamster so young and wonder if you could have done more, but I doubt very much there is anything you could have done and it was just a cruel fate of nature and a weak heart or other congenital issue internally xxxx So - lots of enrichment in a cage, a safe set up, spot clean and avoid big clean outs all the time, lots of love and a good diet and you'll have happy, healthy hamsters. Any lumps or bleeding or other signs of ill health need checking by a vet of course xxx With female hamsters, pyometra is a risk so any swelling or unusual discharge needs a vet visit.