Sad news- Baldrick

[Vierville]

It's been a very long time since I've posted on here, but today I got some very sad news about my beloved Baldrick.

He's only 17 months old and since January he's been making chirping sounds which I thought was unusual. He seemed normal apart from that, active with a good apetite but then I noticed blood in his urine a few weeks ago. I immediately took him to the vet who gave him a long-lasting antibiotic injection. The blood cleared up but the chirping noises got more prominent. Last week while handling him, he suddenly made a few gasping motions and passed out. He came round after a few minutes but we rushed him to the vet and the vet kept him over night, did a scan on him and said he suspected a respiratory problem, maybe an infection or chronic inflammation. He has Kaytee Clean n Cosy bedding and torn up toilet paper so nothing in his cage is harmful in that sense.

Baldrick was given cortisone and antibiotics to take for a month, but two nights ago he really was not looking himself, ears flat and struggling to breathe when I tried to give him his medicine. He seems to breathe ok when not stressed or handled, but when I handle him or he gets excited, like if he gets a treat, then he struggles to breathe.On top of that, we discovered more blood in his urine.

We took him back to the vet the next morning and he has been kept overnight again but the vet phoned me this afternoon saying that he suspects a lung tumour as the white cell count has gone down to normal levels but he is still struggling to breathe when excited or stressed.

He is keeping Baldrick there tonight again for observation but he did mention that he is very very concerned about him. I am so worried for my little friend, I realise that we are very likely facing a decision on whether putting him to sleep would be the kindest option and making a decision like that is absolutely agonising.

[Ria P]

I am so very sorry to hear this sad news.

Baldrick is such a little character and quite a unique hamster. I missed reading about his antics and often wondered what he's been up to.

If there is no hope of a recovery and little Baldrick is struggling to breathe when excited then it may be kinder to let him go.

Life wouldn't be the same without excitement for someone like Baldrick.

[Petite]

So sorry to hear about Baldrick. I do hope you get some better news from the vet soon. Otherwise - as Ria says - it may be his time. It's always such a hard decision (when I signed the consent form for Theo last year it actually felt like a betrayal of sorts) but it really is the last act of kindness when they are struggling.

[LunaTheHamster1]

Sorry to hear you are going through this with Baldrick Vierville.

[Savannagh]

I'm so sorry to hear this. It sounds really awful for both you and Baldrick.

[Vierville]

It is with great, great sadness that I got a phone call from the vet this morning telling me that my little Baldrick had passed away during the night.

He was only 1 year and 5 months old. The vet did everything possible to try and find out what the cause of his illness was and to see if it was treatable but it was definitely pointing towards cancer and in the end that is what it must have been.

I got Baldrick as a three- week old baby, I was at the local pet shop getting some supplies one day in the height of summer when I spotted him, the boldest of the seven tiny hamsters that were in the tank, standing on his back legs in the middle of a dried- up water bowl. I called the shop assistant who did fill the bowl up, but filled with concern for their wellbeing, I returned to the pet shop the next day to check if they still had water. Once again, I found him standing in the dried-up water bowl and proceeded to give the shop assistant a stern talking to, followed by a "I'll take him home!", pointing to Baldrick.

From day one, he was the most outgoing and engaging pet I have ever had. His very presence brought a smile to me and just being in the same room as him lifted my spirits. Baldrick will never know how much he meant to me but hopefully one day I can see him again and thank him for what he meant to me.

[Ria P]

I am so sorry to hear of Baldrick's departure to the rainbow bridge. Play well with all your friends little Baldrick.

I remember the time you wrote about the little babies in the dried up water bowl like it was yesterday and Baldrick is a hamster who will always be remembered for his spirit, the acrobatics he showed off after he had lost the weight and all his little eccentricities. He was a dwarfie who did things the Baldrick way.

He will be sadly missed here but he will certainly liven up Rainbowland.

[Coco61]

So sorry at this news about Baldrick.
He is at peace now and you will still smile as you remember.

[Pebbles82]

I am so sorry about Baldrick xxx He was such a character and had a happy life with you. He is playing free over the rainbow bridge now. It leaves a big hole in our hearts though - I hope you will find another character to care for.

[LunaTheHamster1]

So sorry to hear about Baldrick Vierville. he certainly kept us entertained on this forum. Hugs.