Chaucer is poorly )=

[kyrilliondaemon]

Originally Posted by Torrential

You may have all been through this, think I'm being silly and want to tell me that she is just getting old or whatever, but it's really heartbreaking for me and it has upset my boyfriend too, cause he doesn't know what to do for the best... )=

Just for the record, here is one place you'll never be thought silly for agonising over things like this. I've not had to go through it yet, but honestly, none of us will ever think you're being silly.
Even if it was just age, our hamsters aging is sad for everyone and in your case its a really unpleasant situation. All I have is a ton of sympathy and good wishes for you and Chaucer.
I'm sorry I can't offer help, but I really am thinking of the three of you and really, really hoping to hear of some miraculous improvements soon. Best of luck to all of you.

[racinghamster]

I would administer her medication when she is awake, rather than waking her up to give it to her. It doesn`t really need to be on the hour or at exactly the same time of the day. As long as she gets it that`s the main thing. Keeping her out for two hours is too long, especially when she`s not right and wants to sleep. It`s a bit like when we are ill, we just need sleep and quiet. She will instinctively try to show that she`s well because hamsters are prey animals, so I would leave her alone more. I know what you mean about keeping an eye on her, but she must be allowed to recover on her own, only interacting with her when it`s necessary and then allow her to go back to her bed. I never handle my hamsters a lot when they seem a little `off` or are having a sleepy day. I respect their space and only go in to feed, talk to and make sure they are happy in themselves. My two have their own daily routines and I know right away if one isn`t well or not acting normally. If and when this occurs, I know to let nature take it`s course and I only interupt that if I need to check them over or administer a drug.

[Torrential]

Sam, thank you. I'm glad you don't think I'm overly sensitive about it all.

RC, I had to wake her up, it was nearly 11pm, we hadn't seen her all day and we had to give it to her before we went to bed. Yea, in the end I stayed up and cuddled her for a while, but my bf has work in the early hours so I couldn't make him stay up to help me.

[Torrential]

Hi guys... some sad news.
Chaucer passed away last night )=
She hadn't eaten for days, not properly. My boyfriend and I were giving her the medicine from the vets every evening, and holding her whilst giving her some carrot or tomato. Her last dose of medicine was Saturday night. We were going to take her back to the vets. However, yesterday I noticed she was sleeping in funny positions and her breathing was very limited...can't think of how to describe it.
Gently picked her up for a cuddle last night, at about 6:30.She was so unwell, she was so boney and delicate. She woke up, but didn't seem able to sit up properly. At this point I started, and couldn't stop, crying. I gave her "kisses" (we rub noses) and offered her some tomato. She gave it a lick. She was struggling to get up, and I got so upset I passed her to my boyfriend. It was horrible. He gave her a hug and put her in the carry case, whilst calling the vet. When I calmed down and went to see her, she had passed. We called the vet again and they said we could come by, but they were about to close, so it felt a bit rushed and was very unsettling.
Now her cage is empty, but I keep seeing the door open and thinking she might get out... or wondering what she is up to.

Sorry if that's all a little graphic, but it feels a bit like writing it helps me deal with it.


I'm so incredibly upset. Part of me is full of guilt and I feel like picking her up was the final push and she died because of that, but part of me feels like maybe she was waiting for one last cuddle?

I'm sort of glad she went with us, and I didn't go to check on her to find she had gone, or worse to have to take her to the vet. I wouldn't want to make that choice.

sigh...

[racinghamster]

She`s at peace now and her change in behaviour recently was probably an indication that she wasn`t well torrential. We all have different ways of dealing with hamsters that fall ill or won`t eat, which is why I commented on giving her medicine and leaving her to sleep and this is sometimes their way of going peacefully. Picking them up when they are near their end can tip the balance. I`ve seen this with mice I have had that were very ill and suddenly died within seconds of gently lifting up to check on or to just do as you did, give a little cuddle and comfort.

I`m sure another hamster will walk into your life at some time and Chaucer will be there with you. x

[TraceyH]

Originally Posted by Torrential

Hi guys... some sad news.
Chaucer passed away last night )=
She hadn't eaten for days, not properly. My boyfriend and I were giving her the medicine from the vets every evening, and holding her whilst giving her some carrot or tomato. Her last dose of medicine was Saturday night. We were going to take her back to the vets. However, yesterday I noticed she was sleeping in funny positions and her breathing was very limited...can't think of how to describe it.
Gently picked her up for a cuddle last night, at about 6:30.She was so unwell, she was so boney and delicate. She woke up, but didn't seem able to sit up properly. At this point I started, and couldn't stop, crying. I gave her "kisses" (we rub noses) and offered her some tomato. She gave it a lick. She was struggling to get up, and I got so upset I passed her to my boyfriend. It was horrible. He gave her a hug and put her in the carry case, whilst calling the vet. When I calmed down and went to see her, she had passed. We called the vet again and they said we could come by, but they were about to close, so it felt a bit rushed and was very unsettling.
Now her cage is empty, but I keep seeing the door open and thinking she might get out... or wondering what she is up to.

Sorry if that's all a little graphic, but it feels a bit like writing it helps me deal with it.


I'm so incredibly upset. Part of me is full of guilt and I feel like picking her up was the final push and she died because of that, but part of me feels like maybe she was waiting for one last cuddle?

I'm sort of glad she went with us, and I didn't go to check on her to find she had gone, or worse to have to take her to the vet. I wouldn't want to make that choice.

sigh...

Don't feel guilty as you did all you could have for her. I reckon she was hanging on for one last cuddle before she went.

[Torrential]

Aw RH, you've really made me feel even more guilty that perhaps I'm the reason she passed )=

Thanks, Tracey

[racinghamster]

Not at all. I was reflecting on my own experiences of death when I`ve had mice in a similar situation (near death) and when I intervened in order to make the mouse more comfortable, the mouse took a turn quicker than perhaps it might have, but I don`t see that as a negitive thing, it`s just something that happens. It doesn`t mean by handling or giving a bit of comfort to them makes them any worse. I think you may have mis-interperated what I was meaning.

[fluffymunchkins]

I'm very sorry for your loss
You did so well to give her the love and care she needed until it was her time.
She will be at peace now xx