the stupidity of Dave strikes again

nooboo · 10-30-2005, 10:10 AM

this has been a bad weekend. Last weekend was not good, the two Roborovski who were living together had to be separated, I was so worried as one has a bad leg cut and is still a bit dodgy on one foot. I never thought I could be as scared for one of my hammies as I was then, but I was wrong.

Last night I was in hysterics. We found Si... in Shadow's cage (luckily I don't think she was in season, and it seems killing him was all she had in mind)

Dave thinks he left Si's cage open trying to get him out, when he had Shadow out in a floor ball... we think then Si slipped into her open cage, can't think how else it happened (though shouted at him saying he put them in there together, but I was very upset). He was hiding in her attic. Dave wondered where we gained an extra hamster from, he looks that bad that it took a while to figure out it was him. The bleeding has stopped, the vet is way too far away, it's an emergency vet hospital, and it's outside off Manchester, and they were the only ones willing to deal with a hamster on a Sunday. They agreed that the trip out would be too much, told us to bathe his wounds, and give him honey. We have made sure he has lots of fluid (partially because of blood loss, and because he was without water for a while)

He looks terrible, chunks missing, hair all an odd colour, covered in his own pee... I have cleaned the wounds, but he still looks bad. I don't know what else to do.

If any of you have any tips or advice I would be grateful.

Luckily I am only working two days this week (I worked 6 last week though) thank goodness for my upcoming holiday - so Wednesday onwards he will be cared for by me, Dave is keeping an eye on him at night... well he is sleeping on the sofa in the same room.

Any ideas on what I can do to stop him leaving cages open would be appreciated, or punishments. I am hoarse from shouting and crying as it is.

Shadow has one cut on her nose. We found that before we found Si (at about 6 when I got in from work) and moved her into a tub like the dwarfs have, as we thought she could have got it bar biting in her Rotastack. Poor Si was so scared and hurt he didn't move out of the attic, I hate to think what would have happened if I didn't decide we had to clean out Shadow's cage before we went to sleep.

I have given him some baby porridge, mealworms (dried) normal food, and some honey. The porridge and honey seem to have gone, I just don't know what else to do.

**babyboos** · 10-30-2005, 12:21 PM

Oh nooboo how awful for you and poor Si and Shadow. I am really worried for you all, I can't begin to imagine how upset and frustrated you must be with Dave just now. Short of banning him from going anywhere the hamsters which really is not an ideal situation I can't think of anything to say punishment wise. With so many little ones you really need his support, and I am sure want to share your hobby with him. He is a grown man and should know better. I would make him pay out of his own pocket money for Si to be taken to the hospital in a taxi tonight if you feel he is taking a turn for the worse at any point. To allow injuries to happen like this takes time and a lot of noise. These are not toys and maybe the shock of seeing the state they, and you, are in will help him gain some respect for your little furries, I sincerely hope so. I am very glad he is not my boyfriend

Hugs to you nooboo. I am sending healing thoughts to Si and Shadow.

nooboo · 10-30-2005, 01:02 PM

thats whats been bothering me, Si must have made a lot of noise, and unless it happened when I went to work and Dave went shopping (which I doubt) ..well they should have been heard.

Dave is worried too... At least he was sensible enough to help me clean Si, and was the one to talk to the emergency vet hospital lot, I was just too far gone.

All of Si's limbs are moving which is better. He just seems to be in pain, he wont put his ears up, and the chunk off his back thigh shows up more and more. The real shock is looking at him, he seems a light brown all over.

While he was sleeping Dave tried to make friends again by getting out the Winter White Russian Dwarf Hamsters and getting some pictres done, and it was nice, it's odd, half of me wants to play with the others get distracted feel better, half of me does not want to be near them and feels Si should have my full attention.

Shadow is a sore point at the moment. Half because she was his hamster, and well it seems so unfair she has barely a scratch and he is a mess. I know though it's not her fault. But I have started to call her "killer", not out of meanness to her, but more because it upsets Dave each time.

The problem seems to be that he opens up cages to get them out, then gets distracted by the computer or something. He has to learn hamsters are quick!! Still he was bitten by Hex today... He grabbed her as she was about to launch herself off the bed... it felt oddly satisfying that one of them got him back.

Si is in a warm, quiet spot. I mixed the honey with the porridge as it seemed a good idea at the time and he is eating it up. Dave is taking tomorrow off University to take him to the vet. Seems a shame that he gets a day off for this. At least he has to explain how he could have let this happen.

I am so worried Si is not going to recover. He is moving fine and eating, but it's like his sparkle has gone, it is heart breaking.

**babyboos** · 10-30-2005, 01:16 PM

I hope he is sitting camped on the vet's door when they open in the morning it is the least he can do for the wee guy and he may want to take Shadow too as she could also possibly benefit from antibiotics such as Baytril. Si may also be prescribed Metacalm as an antinflammitory pain relief medication.

workmad3 · 10-30-2005, 01:19 PM

this is the Dave in question, reporting to be shouted at

I feel really bad about it, and I can't think how I managed to be so stupid. Just so you all know though, I'm sat next to Si's cage right now, and he is running in his wheel fine and seems to be getting back to normal. I guess that being kept locked in an attic for a day just causes some shock.

He also seems to be getting his spark back as well. Changed him out today, forgot a bung, and his only thought was trying to get into Ponder's cage. Noticed him within a second or two this time, so no harm done, but at least he seems normal.

**babyboos** · 10-30-2005, 01:29 PM

If a hamster was brought to the rescue after being in this situation the first thing I would do is take them straight to the vet, whatever the time. I hope you will take them both first thing even if they do look more perky. Hamsters are good at hiding pain and with such fast metabolisms they very quickly go downhill when infection sets in. Pick one entry and exit hole and stick to it sellotape down all other bungs and don't ever use them again. Your hamsters will quickly learn they come to the particular spot they get out, and if you need to chase them along their enclosure to try and catch them it is telling you something - they want to come out right now - so leave them alone - you have plenty others to play with.

nooboo · 10-30-2005, 01:30 PM

that does not mean you are not taking them to the vet.

remind me to go steal your power cable, I think no internet may be in order tonight for you

yes he was running in his wheel, maybe because he wanted some love and attention, I bet his ears are still back

better get him out and see.

**babyboos** · 10-30-2005, 01:38 PM

A scared, frightened and pained hamster will still run on his wheel often in an attempt to try and get away. Wheel running shows stress as well as providing a means of exercise. Remove the wheel and put him in a plain, tissue filled bin for the night and his trip to the vet tomorrow. Some food, water and nothing else should be in with him.

What is quite concerning additionally is that he could have been left in the attic until Sunday when I hope someone would finally have checked his enclosure to say hello to him. We need to be aware of our little ones and check on the daily at least once. I always make sure everyone comes out at food time at least, if they don't I open the enclosure to find out why. I have hamsters of all ages so this is very important in case someone passes over the bridge in their sleep.

nooboo · 10-30-2005, 01:43 PM

thank babyboos, it's good to have someone else tell him.

I didn't think the wheel would be an issue, as he was sticking to the bottom cage which just had his food water and bed in it. But it seems he decided to go look about a bit. I guess I should move him again.

**babyboos** · 10-30-2005, 02:13 PM

Yes move him away to a quiet shady corner in a smallish bin where he is forced to take it easy and recuperate. It isn't cruel you want him to move around as little as possible just now to conserve energy and heal. Make sure it is warm but well ventilated and filled with plenty shredded tissue. Let us know how you get on at the vets tomorrow. Maybe ask about pre and probiotics whilst you are there. Some added to their food or water, depending on what types they have available would be very beneficial right now, and handy to have in the house for future use too.