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Original poster

I think my pet is dying...please help

20 replies

PeachBos · 27/10/2025 10:12

I have a pet hamster. She is about 19 months old.

I think she is dying. She has tumour so that could be it.

On Saturday night she looked disorinated but she fed well. She went to sleep without burrowing in a different spot in the enclosurer.

She had some activity over night in Saturday.

I checked on her yesterday afternoon and I picked her up. She was in a fabric igloo or hold. After a while I noticed she wasn't trying to run or bite me and she just seemed very lethargy. She's been like this all day yesterday. She didn't eat or drink anything.

I thought she was dying but she is still lingering on. She can do tiny movements. Her eyes are closed. Her body is very limp and lifeless but she is still breathing.

She is still hanging on.

I am now torn what to do.
I thought she was going to pass by now but she didn't. I don't know if I should phone a vet to get help and let her pass. I am just torn. If I remove her, she may not even make the trip to the vet and I am inclined to leave her in peace and let her pass at home. But then this process is going on for so long and I am now becoming distressed myself but trying to remain calm around her.

I came across this post on Mumsnet and this writes out everything that I am going through right now. I think in this post, the hamster lingered in this state for over 36 hours and was taken to the vet and the hamster had an infection.

What do I do?
It's a bank holiday where I am and also I don't drive so I would have to get a lift from someone. I did check online for emergency vets.

What do I do. Do I phone a vet and seek assistance or stay with her for the day.

OP posts:

MousseMousse · 27/10/2025 10:14

For a cat or dog I would say emergency vet and I don't see why it should be different for a hamster.

Whaleandsnail6 · 27/10/2025 10:14

I think you need to take her to a vet. Lift the whole idloo out of the cage and transfer it into a secure box.

She might be suffering and I think its kindest to have her put to sleep if needs be

Theresabatinmykitchen · 27/10/2025 10:16

You need to get your hamster to the vet, either she needs medication or putting to sleep, either way she is clearly struggling and you can’t let that continue, I’m so sorry she is suffering xx

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Mumof3andamanchild · 27/10/2025 10:39

If it’s draughty or cold where the hamster is it could be going into hibernation but just to make sure best to pop to the vet

Sasha07 · 27/10/2025 10:46

I've had a hamster with a tumour before too. Please, take it to the vets. It's the kindest thing. You don't know how much pain it's in or how much it is suffering. It's very quick and simple if it does get euthanised.

Hamsters are one of the pets I feel most sorry for, not aimed at you, but some just think because they're small, that they're worth less than say a cat or dog.
It's not expensive if it does need euthanasia, I'm sure it was just over £20 a few years back so can't see it being over £30 now. It's hard to commit to knowing you won't be bringing an animal back alive, but the kindest things sometimes are the hardest. The vets will be able to advise what will be on the hamsters best interest ♥️

Goldfoxwife · 27/10/2025 10:53

Vets is the best way my hamster had this but passed at home in his sleep overnight so in your situation I would definitely get to the vets it's a awful thing to watch

MousseMousse · 27/10/2025 18:53

How is your hamster @PeachBos ?

Hoppinggreen · 27/10/2025 18:58

I am so sorry, it sounds tough
When a friend was in a similar position her vet advised her to put the hamster in the freezer.
Take advice from your vet though to make sure it won't suffer unduly

Original poster

PeachBos · 27/10/2025 22:40

Thank you for helping me. I took her to the vet. She was examined. She was dying. Her heart rate was slow. The vet helped by giving her an injection to let her pass because she was nearly 24 hours in that state. The natural process of letting her die at home was just too slow. I couldn't bear seeing go on like that.

OP posts:

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 27/10/2025 22:44

PeachBos · 27/10/2025 22:40

Awwwww, I'm so sorry you lost your wee ball of fluff @PeachBos I love hamsters and think they're adorable. I had 2 when I was much younger, (2-3 years each) and my DC had one too when they were quite small. Hamsters are so cute and fluffy. They used to run around the house, and make their way back to the cage, which we left open some of the day. Once we started having cats we stopped having hamsters.

Anyway tl;dr, I am glad your little hamster is at peace now.

Getagrip22 · 27/10/2025 22:49

Im so sorry 😢

Original poster

PeachBos · 27/10/2025 23:09

LikeWhoUsesTypewritersAnyway · 27/10/2025 22:44

Anyway tl;dr, I am glad your little hamster is at peace now.

Edited

Show quote history

I know, they are amazing pets and they are so small and for their size, they are so clever.

I can't clean her enclosurer yet. I can't face it. I have it covered in a sheet until the weekend.

Her enclosurer is so quite tonight. I miss the sound of her tiny feet pitter pattering around. Her wheel was silent and I miss hearing her feet on the wheel too.

She would come and greet me most mornings and every day. She recognised my voice.

OP posts:

ItIsMyName · 27/10/2025 23:24

I’m so sorry but please take comfort that you did the right thing by your little hamster. It is so difficult x

grapesstrawberriespleass · 27/10/2025 23:41

I’m so sorry to hear this. My husband and I had a hamster when we moved in together and we adored him. We were lucky to have him for nearly 3 years! You did the right thing for your little friend. You’re a good person x

TheBroonOneAndTheWhiteOne · 27/10/2025 23:42

I'm so sorry @PeachBos
Our hamster years ago, when the children were little, was a much-loved pet.
Ours was PTS because I thought he was suffering. It was a good decision.

But you'll be feeling very sad about this for ages. Have you got a picture you can post?

tragichero · 28/10/2025 00:03

Sorry for the loss of your hamster - they are lovely little things and so full of character! You must be feeling very sad.

Well done for helping her pass quickly and painlessly - take comfort in the fact you clearly gave her a nice life and did the right thing to help her when she became poorly. And it's not a bad lifespan for a hamster - I think two years is the most you can usually expect even if they stay well. Often it's less than that sadly.

Hope you are ok.

BunfightBetty · 28/10/2025 00:07

I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved hamster. She sounds very well-loved and taken care of, and I hope that in time you can feel at peace for doing the right thing for her and making sure she wasn't suffering unnecessarily.

Sasha07 · 28/10/2025 00:30

Grieve how you need to. It's hard for us because it's a sign of your bond, that she was loved so much. You don't need to rush anything. The silence can be overwhelming when you're used to a little life being there. You can sense the presence has gone and it's awful every time you notice it.

But the bigger part, is that you loved her and she felt it, she trusted you and looked for you when she heard you. It's incredible how an animal and human can bond so deeply. Animals never seem to live long enough, but that's why we do the best for them, for the time that we have them. You gave her a gentle, calm end. Take comfort in knowing you were there for her when she needed you most ♥️ sorry for your loss

SnugglyJumpersMakeItBetter · 28/10/2025 00:48

Poor little love. I think you did the right thing. I've had gerbils in the past and I know what big characters they are for such little critters. I totally understand your upset. Sending a big hung ((((((((hug)))))))).

TheM55 · 28/10/2025 01:18

Sending you hugs, and you did the right thing. It's awful and you miss them, but you have done your best, a good very much loved life and a cared for and thought through death. No-one should be telling you "it's just a....." if you are tearful. These little creatures mean just as much to us and deserve just a good life xx

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