Sudden passing of 5 month old hamster
I’m not sure why I am looking for answers here, but I’m beginning to wonder whether I did something wrong for my hamster to die so suddenly before he was bought I researched for days and hours to ensure I could provide the perfect life and environment for a hamster so I am really unsure what went wrong. We had our male Syrian hamster for 3 short months he was always very happy very calm friendly and sociable, he had a large cage, and plenty of hamster safe enrichment toys, sand bath, fresh water daily, and hamster food along with fresh fruit or veg 3 times a week. His cage was cleaned monthly properly and spot cleaned regularly for any urine or poop. A week prior to his death he didn’t appear as active as usual but was still coming out for food and drinks and having a run around his cage etc but noticed his ears were flatter than usual, but he didn’t appear ill or distressed in any other way I just thought because the temperature has dropped since it’s Autumn I thought it may have been because it was a bit colder, but other than this my hamster appeared fine, eating and drinking going to toilet, cleaning himself and well kept. Before I left for work yesterday morning I went in as I usually do and he was awake which was strange as he usually sleeps at this time he climbed the cage to me and I noticed it looked as tho something was stuck in his bottom, i immediately checked for signs of wet tail but there were no obvious signs or wetness or foul odors and from research this is fairly obvious, when I came back home from work I went straight to check on him and he seemed to be wandering aimlessly rather disoriented, and stumbling to one side, I gently wiped his bottom which seemed to relieve him but was refusing any food or water, I tried to syringe feed him fluids and even gave him cucumber it was late at this time so there were not vets open near and I couldn’t get to a vet further afield as I don’t drive, because he seemed so restless I made him a little bed and left some pumpkin to see if this relieved any constipation and help him pass poo, and tried to get him comfy for the night. This morning I went in to find him very lifeless in the corner of his cage with his eyes closed I thought he’d already passed because he was so cold to touch I picked him up and placed a hot water bottle under my shirt put him on top and tried to warm him with a soft blanket around him also, he was breathing but very slowly I knew at this point he was coming to the end he was so weak and fragile I attempted fluid through a syringe again he did not take, an hour passed and my little man was still hanging on but barely he seemed comfortable and peaceful just laying on my chest keeping him warm and letting him no he wasn’t alone. He began breathing very rapidly opened his little eyes lifted his head and took his last breathe and just died. I am absolutely distraught, I tried everything I could to help him through the night and morning until he passed and I’m just wondering how or why such a young hamster would die so quickly and so very suddenly
It's a normal part of grief to question if it is something we have done or not done, but it was just a very sad situation. It could even have been a genetic heart issue which resulted in other organs starting to break down or digestion breaking down.
They sometimes have litters of babies as well. To be honest, most hamsters in rescues originally came from pet stores as well but I've always found hamsters for adoption tend to be healthy - probably because they have vet checks and observation periods when they arrive.
I'm sure it wasn't your fault. He died peacefully in your arms. He will always be with you in your heart