Sick hamster - euthanize? What would you do?

[traces7]

Has anyone ever euthanized a hamster? We're thinking about it.
We have a dwarf hamster, she's 1-1/2 years old. She's had a cancerous tumor since August, she was doing fine with it and seemed her normal self til about a month ago. The tumor is getting bigger and she's getting skinnier. She has a hard time walking, kind of sidewise. She still runs on her wheel and eats, but she looks horrible. Now I think the tumor is started to bleed and get stinky.
I feel so bad for her and don't want her to suffer. But she still seems ok at times-running on her wheel, not for long though. I think the vet said it would cost $25 to euthanize her. What would you do?
Thanks for the help.

 

[mrszrw]

When I was about 10 my hamster had a stroke and I remember my mom took him to the vet and they put him down. I remember adults giving my mom a hard time about spending that kind of money on a $5 hamster. What I remember more is not having to watch a pet that I loved die a slow and suffering death.

I would do what you feel is right.

 

[pumba]

I too agree, the amount of money you are spending is not the real issue.....Your friend...your little hamster that you have watched play and have fun for the last year and a half is/or maybe suffering......I would let him go too.....When we have pets ..they become part of our family. A few people wanted to know why we spent so much money on our dalmatian when she had cancer......ahhhh We loved her that is why. Peace to you and your family pet

 

[Regina]

I've had to do this. Our hamster developed a tumor when she was 2 years old. I brought her to the Vet, they confirmed that it was most likely malignant and I had them put her to sleep.

This was many years ago. I'm not sure but I believe between the Vet visit and the euthanization, it was $30. I thought it was worth it as I didn't want see the poor little thing suffer. She was already having problems eating.

I'm sure you'll make the right decision.

 

[RIDISNEYLOVERS]

My heartfelt prayers go out to you and your family.


Our family just had to go through this in January.

Our dwarf hamster was 2 1/2 years old and had a benine (sp?) tumor on her belly. I had her scheduled for surgery ($200.00) on February 19th and as the days went on her tumor kept getting bigger and bigger. I came home one day and my kids ALWAYS held her and my DD screamed for me because she was bleeding. We immediately took her to the 24 hour emergency vet (our exotic vet was on vacation) and I inquired about having them do an emergency surgery but that was going to cost me $1,100.00 and there was no guarantee I would have a healthy hamster after it. I had to make the heart wrenching choice of euthanizing her. It was a very hard and sad decision but I knew it was the right thing to do. She died on January 28th. Her name was Angel and she was the 4th hamster we had. My daughters did not want any more hamsters because they die so quick and they are sad because they get so attached. So now we have a kitten. His name is Zorro and he is 4 months old. He should be with us for a very, very long time!!

Good luck with your decision as it is a very difficult one to make!!

Blessings,
Lisa

 

[traces7]

Rosie (our hamster) seemed better yesterday after I posted, so she's still with us. Last night we had her out and she was running around like crazy. The part of the tumor I thought was bleeding over the weekend looks dried up now. But she still looks very skinny and the tumor very big. Not sure what we'll do. We'll go day by day I guess. I feel so bad euthanizing an animal. We just went through it with a dog about a year and a half ago. Thanks for all your kind words.

 

[Uncle Remus]

Rosie (our hamster) seemed better yesterday after I posted, so she's still with us. Last night we had her out and she was running around like crazy. The part of the tumor I thought was bleeding over the weekend looks dried up now. But she still looks very skinny and the tumor very big. Not sure what we'll do. We'll go day by day I guess. I feel so bad euthanizing an animal. We just went through it with a dog about a year and a half ago. Thanks for all your kind words.

Please don't feel bad about euthanizin' your pet if you have to, it is an
act of kindness, surely you don't want her to be in pain with a slow death.

Good luck to your family 'n Rosie.

 

[Merriwind]

You'll know when the time is right. We had a beloved parakeet euthanized once. No animal is too small or unimportant to escape a long, painful death. Well, except humans, but that's a very different thread.

I'm glad she's doing better!

 

[Buckalew11]

Please don't feel bad about euthanizin' your pet if you have to, it is an
act of kindness, surely you don't want her to be in pain with a slow death.

Good luck to your family 'n Rosie.

I agree totally.
I am so sorry about poor little Rosie.
We have a new Chinese Dwarf hamster--Hamilton (Hammy for short).

A couple years ago we had a white dumbo rat 9named Stitch) and she had a stroke. She was so pitiful. I took her to my BIL who is a vet and we puther down. DD was not in the room when he did the injection but came in after to hold her wile she died. Seems that injecting very small creatures is not the smae as bigger animals (like dogs and cats) and he said it would be better for DD not to see Stitch until after the stuff started to take effect.

I am so sorry for your family's loss. lossing ANY kind of a pet is hard.

 

[DrOverIt]

I was frustrated by the information I found on posts like this last night. We had taken our dwarf hamster to the vet when at 8 mos she developed facial swelling I had hoped was a tooth abscess. But it became clear it was cancer and she developed a new tumor almost every other day. But she did well and was still playful and active eating baby food (gerber mixed vegetable) and shelled raw unsalted sunflower and pumpkin seeds. But yesterday after work I found her suffering and the vet wanted another $129 for us to bring her back (mind you, not only did we pay for the first visit, but our dog goes there and we have spent thousands for her care!!!). So using a syringe I used 0.5 ml visine and 0.5 ml Benadryl. Some dribbled out because she wasn't swallowing well at that point but it worked within 2 minutes. She was the sweetest thing ever and we adored her.

 

[soccerdad72]

Interesting first post...

 

[Planogirl]

Interesting first post...

You can say that again. Wow.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Zombie thread!

TC