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Original poster

I have to go to school soon and am sobbing over my hamster

56 replies

thritbies · 04/12/2008 14:44

I think we are going to have to let him be put to sleep

He is 7mo, had wet tail when we got him for a few weeks, culminating in a 3 night stay at the vets. Mid-Nov he started with it again but obviously much worse. He's still no better. We've taken him to our vet 3 times and today a specialist, who I have just howled down the phone at.

He's lost weight- from 80g last week to 60 yesterday, and 56 today. His bones are visible around his neck, and he has no interest in eating ANYTHING, v unusual for him.

He might get better, but the chances are he will keep getting this over and over. Vet says she suspects he will have gut damage. Treatment would be over £100 for hospitalisation, and tests which he might not wake up from. In the time since the vet saw him today, he is now once again covered in poo, and I have just bathed his bottom which made him flinch.

I dont want him to be suffering, but I dont want to feel like I have taken the easy option, not given him every chance. DH is being horrid, focusing on the £ aspect (sensible, admittedly) and saying "It's a hamster, these things happen"

I am so attached to him, he has really become a tame and sociable little thing through handling and playing with him. I dont know what to do.

No idea why I am writing this, but have run out of people to phone and sniffle at.

OP posts:

OrmIrian · 05/12/2008 12:49

My DH was similarly unsympathetic. But I think he was worried about me being so upset. He had to take the rats to the vet in the end and I don't think he enjoyed it much. Now not keen on us getting more. Do you think your DH is the same.

Original poster

thritbies · 05/12/2008 13:48

I honestly dont think he is at all bothered that I am upset- most unlike him. But I have been stressed about the hamster pretty much every day since we got him, so maybe I have done his head in. But still! Was sobbing like a loon right next to him last night and he didnt even reach out his hand. he has managed to turn it all into me caring more about the hamster than I do him (wtf? and yep atm ), and him having to go to a job that he hates and me not having a job. Work that out if you can! Can't tell you how much his attitude is not helping. Have just got this perpetual sense of dread when I suddenly remember.

OP posts:

OrmIrian · 05/12/2008 14:14

"Have just got this perpetual sense of dread when I suddenly remember"

Yep. I had that too

So sorry.

Original poster

thritbies · 05/12/2008 15:21

Well Indy is on his way. He is quite cold and breathing v shallow. Have phoned vets and they said take him in if he is still going in 20 mins. That was 40 mins ago, just waiting for my friend to bring ds back from school, then will go

OP posts:

OrmIrian · 05/12/2008 15:26

Thinking of you and Indy, thritbies.

Original poster

thritbies · 05/12/2008 15:30

Thank you. I feel like a complete loon, could barely speak on phone to vet!

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/12/2008 15:31

aww thritbies {{HUGE HUGS))

i hope Indy is at peace now

so sorry for your loss xxx

Original poster

thritbies · 05/12/2008 15:34

thanks, he's still hanging on

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/12/2008 16:02

whoops - sorry

thought you meant in yuor thread, you were taking Indy to vets when your ds was back, and was going to have indy put to peaceful sleep

then in answer to your question - "Blonde I am thinking would he be ok left alone overnight or is it cruel?"

Indy will be fine while you are out, he doesnt know that you arent there and and not asleep upstairs - maybe leave radio on for him for a bit of company

leave him some porridge and maybe soft carrots/apple/cucumber for liquid if he cant get to water bottle easily

Original poster

thritbies · 05/12/2008 16:58

It's done, it was awful, especially as I couldn't speak, and had helpfully parked miles down the road so had to walk back past line of stationary traffic whilst sobbing and clutching Indy wrapped in a muslin cloth.

I know it was the right thing but still feel terrible

Thanks so much for all your support on here, it has really helped. Can't help feeling everyone in RL thinks I am ridiculous and a nutter...

OP posts:

ClutterJunkie · 05/12/2008 17:03

You have done the right thing. I believe that ALL animals that ARE loved ....KNOW they are loved.

{{{{HUG to YOU}}}

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/12/2008 17:04

well done for being brave and putting aside your feeling, so that Indy didnt suffer anymore

I dont think you are rediculas or a nutter - unless you have hammies, then people dont understand how you get so attached to them

have a little funeral, and bury in your garden, and get a dog tag engraved with their name etc

RIP LITTLE INDY!!

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

LilySwalLoosHerTurkeyBaster · 05/12/2008 17:15

So sorry it is an awful experience loosing a pet but at least his pain is over.

Original poster

thritbies · 05/12/2008 17:18

Waaahhhh clutterjunkie, you have set me off again, but in a nice way (are you ll btw? If so hello! Am having a book party at home in 2 hrs, great timing huh)

Thanks for understanding. Wonder if H will be less twattish now?

OP posts:

TheInvisibleManDidItWithSanta · 05/12/2008 17:36

Aww thritbies, I don't do hugs, but may make an exception here (()).

Poor wee Indyxx

Hows your ds dealing with it?

thenewme · 05/12/2008 17:43

I am sorry for your loss but know that you did everything you could for him.

RIP Indy.

OrmIrian · 05/12/2008 18:23

Oh oh I know how you feel.

Added the vague sense of guilt that it's 'only an animal' and you shouldnt be making such a fuss.

Sleep well Indy

Blondeshavemorefun · 05/12/2008 19:22

they are not just animals - they are pets and part of your family

ClutterJunkie · 05/12/2008 20:51

no thritbies...i'm not LL!!

I may be discovered in various places either as MrsF (for Mrs forgetful) and MUM23ASD...

Hope you are feeling ok... I feel such a bond towards our hamsters...and therefore can only 'ditto' your sadness.

(I sometimes think that if i'd had hamsters before kids...that i would have never got broody!!!)

The other day i bought some new wood shavinmgs and they smelt so gorgeous...and felt so soft... that i tried to get my DH to 'share' my enthusiasm...but failed...he just does not 'get' my love of these cuties!!! I was so happy to be providing my lovelies with such sweet smelling and soft shavings...

My DH gets very of our fluff balls!

ClutterJunkie · 05/12/2008 20:57

we have a russian saphire in one cage (she is called Sonic) - her cage mate (a cream ruby eyed tiny dwarf) died last month. Sonic's eye looked very sore last night- and she had made it bleed- it was so swollen... so i nursed her with 'tea tree cream' and today she looks much better- i was worried all last night.

we also have 3 roborvoskis- Robby, Scampy and Speedy... and they have a wheel with a speedometre attatched!!!! They have 'travelled' 72 kilometres in the past 10 days!!!! (they run at about 4 km per hour!!!!)

ClutterJunkie · 05/12/2008 21:01

once Sonic got dropped by my son- he was hysterical as she just laid there- motionless.... she was floppy and i sat there for hours with her...and gradually she 'revived'...she likes licking butter off my finger...and i managed to tempt her...
took her 3 days to be scampering around as normal...but she was so cautious when we approached...felt we'd lost her trust/tameness...but thankfully a week or so later she was back 'waiting' at the cage door when she heard one of us coming!!!

So.... THRITBIES... my reason for posting this rambling stuff ....????.... well, hope you can see how YOU really are NOT alone in how you feel.

xxxx

ClutterJunkie · 05/12/2008 21:03

when 'sansy' hamster died...we had a funeral...then i played Keane 'Bedshaped' and Celine dione- 'My Heart will go on"...and cried floods of tears.

eekareindeer · 05/12/2008 21:06

Thritbies - I have been following Indy's story and checking in on your thread and just wanted to say how very very sorry I am that he's gone. I have been updating DH on Indy's progress (last night I was happy to be able to tell him that he had a nibble on his honey coated ball of seeds!) and DH tells me that I am ridiculous and a loon. And I suppose I am to be sad about a hamster I have never met.

But you most certainly aren't. Hope your DH is being a bit more sympathetic now he's actually gone to hammy heaven.

Awwwwww.

Original poster

thritbies · 06/12/2008 01:00

Oh eekareindeer, I am so touched at you following Indy's story! I really am. Has helped so much. DH is being better now, just as well for him.

CJ- thanks for your stories and for understanding. Indy used to wait at the door too, and would get on his wheel when he wanted me to pick him up. I am glad I wasnt imagining that, I do think he was happy with us(me!)PMSL at my cryptic message to you cos I thought you were LL!

Orm and Blonde, thanks for staying with me through this, iykwim. I have felt much better knowing you are all interested and thinking of Indy.

thenewme, I missed your earlier message and sweet offer of hamster sitting. Thank you so much. I dont think I could have left him had he gone on a bit longer. You're very kind.

Invisibleman, thanks for the much needed hugs. DS surprised me, yesterday I explained how sick Indy was and said would he like to keep him here and him be quite poorly, or have an injection and go to heaven- he chose the latter and was quite unbothered by it. Today when he came home from school and realised it was time, he was upset. He held Indy in the muslin on his knee, and his little friend, my friend's dd, wanted to hold him too. I was really touched by her compassion for him. I have continued to bawl and ds has been dishing out the hugs. He thought he heard me say to dd that Indy was moving, and got quite hopeful, but wasnt upset again when I put him right. dd aged 3 not bothered, but gave Indy a kiss (!) before he died.

If I have missed anyone out, I am sorry- I have read all the messages but am frazzled now, and of course can't sleep. That's usual for me, but Indy would normally be keeping me company

Am aware have rambled on. Wanted to share with you Indy's full name and reasons for, as chosen by ds. He was Indiana Googly-bear Surname! I still get a kick out of it, after Indiana Jones and the middle name is from Monster's Inc. He had what we called his Indiana Jones act, where he would climb the bars of his cage and dangle from the bars on the roof- ds used to sing the theme tune to him.

Am completely bereft and dont know what to do with myself. Will bury him tomorrow as a family. We have an angel statue and windmill in our front garden for our first baby who died, so will bury him under that. Feel really uncomfortable with him being on his own! I am aware that that's crackers. He was our first and last hamster, dont think I could go through this ever again.

OP posts:

Blondeshavemorefun · 06/12/2008 09:22

the first is always the hardest, but i can assure you that the pain does get less

I would suggest getting a new furry friend

when they are waiting for you when you come home from work - begging by the door or swinging on the bars - melts my little heart and even dh!!

clutterjunkie - im the same, though had hammies first, and nine years later, still have no children

thritbies - hope you have a nice time tonight, Indiana Googly-bear (such a cool name) will be scampering about in hamster heaven in no pain, and prob playing with all of my ex hammies

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