I Think I Killed My Daughter's Hamster!

[FionaLovesShrek]

I just wanted to clean his cage while she was with her Dad. I knew "Chewy" was getting old, his fur has been grey for a year, but gosh darn it, I did not know he was getting sick. I picked him up to move him to a box while I cleaned, and he had a lump that burst on his side. So then he was bleeding. So once I get him back in the clean cage, I discover the hair is missing from the side. That was 2 days ago. This morning he is barely breathing. He won't move. So now, DD comes home on Christmas Day, and Chewy won't be here because Mommy killed the hamster! I have to be honest with her, but how I wish I didn't have to be the bearer of bad news on Christmas.

 

[we3disneygo]

ahhh....don't have any experience with hampsters, only fish, cats, bird and a snake!! maybe tell her he was old??? good luck.

 

[Barb D]

Oh, that's too bad. Maybe you should call and warn her now; it would probably be better for her to know BEFORE she gets home on Christmas.

 

[KarenAylwood]

How about calling her to let her know? That way, she'd have a few days to deal with it and prepare herself.

And maybe you could buy her another hamster for Christmas? Or you could take her out the day after Christmas and have her pick one out herself!

My hamster died while I was at summer camp when I was younger and my mom called to tell me. It was much better to know beforehand than to come home and suddenly see him not there!

It'll be ok!

 

[DawnCt1]

Sounds like he had an absess. Definately disinfect the cage and what he came into contact with very well. Give your daughter a hug and tell her he went to Hampster Heaven.

 

[Regina]

Just an FYI, the poor little thing is suffering. A Vet will put it to sleep for you. That's what we did in a similar situation.

I'm very sorry that you're faced with this.

 

[Aidensmom]

I would definately call her and let her know now. And tell her that you can go pick out a new one together after Christmas.

 

[Pooh93]

Don't be too hard on yourself. It sounds like it's time for Chewy to move onto hamster heaven. I'm sure you have given Chewy a great life.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

Yeh, I decided calling her to warn her would be best, unfortunately, she is in the Smokies with her Father and he keeps his phone turned off (he does it to annoy me). I have to wait for her to call me. I haven't talked to her in 2 days.
Hopefully, I'll talk to her before she gets dropped off at home. And no, I do not like not being able to get a hold of DD, and I have chewed her father out over it, but nothing changes. Even in the parenting agreement it states he is to let me know where she is, however when I tried to call the hotel they were supposed to be staying at, I was told he is not registerd there. So that is another story

 

[LoveWDW]

I second the suggestion of taking the pet to a vet to be put out of its suffering.

 

[clarabelle]

I wouldn't get into the details with her.
IF it were me -I would tell her he was old and it was his time.

 

[Laura]

I second the suggestion of taking the pet to a vet to be put out of its suffering.

Absolutely.

 

[minkydog]

Old hamsters(and other small furry pets) are prone to skin disorders & tumors as they age. You didn't cause this. All you can do now is keep it warm, provide water & food and wait to see if it will make it. If it's an abcess, a round of antibiotics might be in order.Although, if he's very far-gone there may be nothing at this point.You can call your vet to see if they can manage a hamster(not all vets know much about them, but they can surely refer to to one than does.)

I wouldn't replace the hamster. Let your daughter have time to grieve. She will let you know when she's ready for another one.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Poor little guy..I also suggest to bring him to the vet to put him out of his misery. Hopefully your DD will find out before Christmas.

 

[mickeyfan2]

It sounds like Chewy has cancer (is there a smell). Buy her a new one and tell her that Santa took Chewy to live with him and gave her a new hamster in Chewy's place.

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

Gosh, this is such a terrible time for this to happen. I am at work, I don't get home until around 5:30 Pm, the vet is 30 minutes from where I live and is closed by the time I could get there. Because of the holiday, he won't be open on Sat...but I don't think the hamster will live that long. He appeared to be shallow breathing this morning. I really hate it, he has brought us some funny moments and joy. He is a teddy bear hamster, long haired and quite adorable.
Thank you for the advice and well wishes, there's really not much I can do but feel bad for DD. Hopefully, I will be able to tell her that due to Chewy's age he passed away while she was gone

 

[Tiffann4k]

Did anything come out of the sore that popped ?

 

[FionaLovesShrek]

Did anything come out of the sore that popped ?

No, it just looked like his skin tore at first, then I realized he was missing some hair around the wound, and it was raised. It was bleeding but dried up pretty quickly once he was placed back in his cage. I haven't been able to look at it since, he is staying curled up in his bed. I can't wait to check on him when I get home this evening. I keep hoping he will improve, but at his age I doubt it. Usually he would raise his head when I would call him by name, but this morning he didn't and I budged him and he didn't move. I looked to see if he was breathing and he was ever so shallowly. That's when I knew that even though he had been sick and I didn't know it, I really wish I'd left him alone, at least until after Christmas

 

[Toby'sFriend]

poor Chewy. I can tell you feel just terrible about this, but honestly Hamsters don't have a very long life span. If he was old enough to get grey, then it sounds like you and your daughter did a good job taking care of him. Hopefully he went quietly during the day and is in Hamster Heaven now.

It really doesn't sound like there was much you could have done.

 

[Stitchfans]

So sorry to hear about Chewy. Yes please take him to the vet. Hope your daughter is alright also losing her pet.