End of life?

[JackieS]

Hi, my little dwarf hamster was a Pets at Home rescue and is now 1 year 7 months old. He has had ongoing itchy skin since I have had him,and I have taken advice from this forum before about that. The itching has been worse lately, despite a change of bedding etc. So he has had three injections three weeks running at the vets. The last one was on Friday and he was quite sprightly then. About two hours ago Inoticed him lying in his sand tray on his side. He didn’t really respond to me (he is normally very aggressive) . I gently lifted the sand tray out and he didn’t respond. He is making a slight noise when he breathes. Iam guessing he has come to the end of his life. My question is this. Should I let him slip away in peace, or should I take him to the vet? I feel I don’t want him to go through being put in a carrier and being put in the car. How do I know what is best for him? Please advise me, I am so upset

[Ria P]

I'm very sorry to hear this and have been in a similar situation myself after adopting an aggressive dwarf from petsathome who turned out to be ill.

One day i found him unresponsive but breathing lying on his side and i let nature take its course. As long as you don't think that your hamster is suffering i would leave him to cross the bridge in the comfort of his home. Talk to him quietly and stroke him very gently if you like but he may feel cold to the touch, so he knows that he's not alone and that he's loved to the end.

Be strong for your little one. He's lucky to have you as his friend.

[Charlie Dunn]

I am so sorry to hear about your ham. I am of the view that unless your ham is in pain or otherwise suffering, they are far better at home for their final hours in familiar surroundings. He will be able to hear you and know you are there. I hope his passing is gentle and my heart goes out to you. It is so hard when they leave us but you have done your best for him and he was lucky that you adopted him x

[JackieS]

I wanted to add to my post from yesterday. I think in this instance, I got it very wrong. Hughie, my little dwarf hammy has just had to be put to sleep. It was horrendous in the end, as he was jerking uncontrollably and I feel I let him suffer unnecessarily. I went to a local vet for quickness and they were very unprofessional. They told me to wait by the back door and I could hear them all chatting and laughing as they were putting him to sleep. I know he was just a little hamster, but we had been on a journey together and I feel traumatised

[Ria P]

I am so sorry for your loss.
Hughie is at peace now. Play well at the bridge little hamster.

Once your grief has eased a little, i would write to whoever is in charge of this vets praxis and point out the appaling and insensitive conduct of their staff to safe other owners of small animals or any animal to go through this kind of unnecessary trauma.

In time the dark thoughts will fade and you will be able to remember Hughie by the happy times you had together.

[Dodo]

I am so sorry you and your hamster had to go through this, but now he is in peace and you know you did everything you could up to the very end.
As Ria said, soon you'll remember the good moments and how well you cared for this little hammie.