Very...Very... Low temperature

dave123791 · 12-12-2014, 11:59 AM

Hey guys

So i will try to make this as short as possible.

This morning at 3am our boiler broke. We have oil heating and the boiler that heats the water and house broke. The temperature just after it broke was 22C in the hamster room. The temperature very quickly decreased and it's now only 10C. The fact that it's snowing outside and -3C doesn't really help. My dad looked at the boiler and discovered that the sparker and injector broke. So he called the boiler engineer. The boiler engineer fixed the sparker and said that he has to buy a new injector and a hose tomorrow and he will be back 11am.

The reason why i posted this in the hamster healthcare is because I'm worried that my hamsters might go into hibernating mode. Any advice on what should i do??

Thanks Dave

XRubyRoseX · 12-12-2014, 12:02 PM

Definitely I would start by giving them extra bedding, make sure there's no drafts in the room. Wrap their cages with a warm towel, you could also out a hot water bottle next to the cage for extra warmth.

Nancy's Hamsters · 12-12-2014, 12:12 PM

Have a neighbor who might allow the Hamsters to visit till the boiler is back working?
That is the easiest solution. Doing as RR stated is good too IF the temps in the room stay where they are, but with no heat in the house the chances are slim that will occur. If you have any terracotta clay plates you can warm them in the microwave and wrap them in a soft cloth which the Hamster can cuddle to for added warmth too.

Also a neat heat source used to move newborn puppies to the vet was white rice(uncooked) placed in a heavy sock and heated in the microwave will keep warm for hours. The danger of the Hamster chewing the sock is there but not as risky as them going into hibernation. Slate slabs can also be heated via the microwave and provide a heat source for Hamsters also. Can warm towels in a clothes dryer for instant heat to wrap about their cage too.

humfry · 12-12-2014, 12:14 PM

I cannot afford to run much heating so am trying to make sure humfry is not cold. I moved him into another bin with no mesh/bars on the sides, just drilled holes but with a meshed lid. I also stood the bin on a foam mat & made a thick fabric cover to go over the top & sides. I put a sheet of cardboard in the bottom corner where humfry makes his nest & have given loads of extra Fitch. The bin is in the living room now, back against the sofa & a large cushion propped against the side during the day when I am out.

As long as hamsters are draught free, with plenty of insulation they should be fine. It is very cold in the desert at night so keeping snug should be in their nature.

dave123791 · 12-12-2014, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRubyRoseX

Definitely I would start by giving them extra bedding, make sure there's no drafts in the room. Wrap their cages with a warm towel, you could also out a hot water bottle next to the cage for extra warmth.

The room is closed so there shouldn't be any drafts. Thanks for all those ideas. I will do them all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nancy's Hamsters

Have a neighbor who might allow the Hamsters to visit till the boiler is back working?
That is the easiest solution. Doing as RR stated is good too IF the temps in the room stay where they are, but with no heat in the house the chances are slim that will occur. If you have any terracotta clay plates you can warm them in the microwave and wrap them in a soft cloth which the Hamster can cuddle to for added warmth too.

Also a neat heat source used to move newborn puppies to the vet was white rice(uncooked) placed in a heavy sock and heated in the microwave will keep warm for hours. The danger of the Hamster chewing the sock is there but not as risky as them going into hibernation. Slate slabs can also be heated via the microwave and provide a heat source for Hamsters also. Can warm towels in a clothes dryer for instant heat to wrap about their cage too.

We live on a farmhouse which is quite isolated hahaha. I would ask my boss, he's a really nice chap but he is a cat breeder and has 2 dogs so i don't want my hamsters getting killed. Thanks for your ideas. I really don't want my hamsters hibernating.

Quote:

Originally Posted by humfry

I cannot afford to run much heating so am trying to make sure humfry is not cold. I moved him into another bin with no mesh/bars on the sides, just drilled holes but with a meshed lid. I also stood the bin on a foam mat & made a thick fabric cover to go over the top & sides. I put a sheet of cardboard in the bottom corner where humfry makes his nest & have given loads of extra Fitch. The bin is in the living room now, back against the sofa & a large cushion propped against the side during the day when I am out.

As long as hamsters are draught free, with plenty of insulation they should be fine. It is very cold in the desert at night so keeping snug should be in their nature.

I guess but they are dug underground so they get warmth. Plus they cuddle with each other.

Just say my hammies do hibernate, how can i wake them up??

XRubyRoseX · 12-12-2014, 12:39 PM

I've read you take them out and hold them close to you so your body temp warms them up. I wouldn't worry about them too much, as long as they've got plenty of substrate and bedding plus a bit of extra insulation around the cage like a towel or a warmed plate they should be ok, especially if they're snuggled up together.

dave123791 · 12-12-2014, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRubyRoseX

I've read you take them out and hold them close to you so your body temp warms them up. I wouldn't worry about them too much, as long as they've got plenty of substrate and bedding plus a bit of extra insulation around the cage like a towel or a warmed plate they should be ok, especially if they're snuggled up together.

I did give them hot water bottles around the cage, heated their rocks and added extra bedding. They live separately. They were separated at an early age due to fighting.

XRubyRoseX · 12-12-2014, 01:18 PM

Oh okay I see. Sounds like the cage should be well heated though, just keep an eye on them over the night.

**Bec** · 12-12-2014, 01:37 PM

Sounds like you are doing all you can Dave, hope the fluffs are okay....keep us updated. Sending heating vibes to your fluffs

BrainGirl · 12-12-2014, 01:48 PM

Have you got some cotton fabric and some dry grain or beans? Sew a pouch and partially fill it with the grains and then heat in a microwave. They hold heat for a surprisingly long time, just in case the hot water bottle springs a leak or something. Hang in there!