Hamster Question for Vets please?

Question

I am looking after my friends hamster while he goes on holiday.

His hamster is VERY ill and sadly im expecting him to die. He is a 3 year old syrian and at the minute he is losing the use of his legs and he has various tumours all over his body. He gets up every few hours and goes and lays in the corner of his cage with his head in the corner and his body stretched out. (My hamster curls up in her nest so there must be something wrong there). He is still eating and drinking although after a minute of drinking he gets too tired and just falls asleep.

I know that the best thing to do would be to get him put to sleep because he is clearly suffering but because he isnt my hamster and my friend seems to think he is ok i dont think i can do it.

I have to clean him out in a few days too, and im terrified of hurting him when i lift him out. He is also very smelly because he cant wash himself anymore and my friend says i should wash him but he is so fragile that i dont want to hurt him.

Answer 1

Yes, he needs to go a vet - if he is suffering, then the kindest thing to do is put him to sleep.  It will be hard to tell your friend, but honesty is best and I don't think they would want to have the little guy suffer.  It maybe that your vet thinks he will be ok until your friend gets home, or that nature can take its course.

If you are in email contact with your friend, you can always let him know - it isn't nice to hear when you're away, but I would rather know.  I left my animals in the care of petsitters for three weeks earlier and would have been upset if they hadn't emailed me about any problems - luckily they were all fine.

Whichever way, please don't let the little hammy suffer.

Answer 2

you can tell your friend take it to the vet. i dont think it will hurt him to carry him out, just be careful and take regular care of it.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything you can do other than to take him to the vet to be put to sleep. As you said, the hamster is suffering and I think it would be the kindest thing for you to do. I am so sorry it has to come to that :-(