What made my hamsters die?

Question

My hamster died a month ago. Her name was Hallie. For a while she was loosing fur and underneath was red skin. She was unusually skinny and never ate or drank much her whole life. She died after I only had her for a year. I know this might sound like she died of old age, but after Hallie died, I moved my other hamster, Annie into her cage after I washed it. I guess she caught whatever Hallie had because she died the next week. I really want to know how they died. Please help!

Answer 1

It's hard to say. It could have been mites, mange, or ringworm.  If you decide to get more hamsters wash out the cage with a small amount of bleach and get it completely sterilized or just get a new cage.

I have noticed, which is weird, on two different occasions with my hamsters that when one died within a week the mate died as well.  On one occasion I am pretty sure the other hamster wasn't sick.  On the second occasion the first hamster died of old age and a week later the other hamster died.  Sometimes I think if their cage mate is gone they get very upset and stressed out.  

I'm very sorry for your loss.  These guys are fragile it seems and get sick so easily.  I actually was teary eyed reading this!  I know how you feel and it's very sad.  I'm sad for you!  I'm sorry!

Answer 2

she probably had a diesease called Wet Tail.

hamsters can get it from the stress of moving from cage to cage or from simply being around another hamster who has it

they get severe cases of diarrhea and they get really weak and die shortly after.

its called wet tail cause their underbellies stay really wet from diarrhea and give off a really bad smell.

Answer 3

I'm no vet, but I think she might of had a disease. You could look it up on Google or  www.ask.com You should get a new cage, to avoid having that problem happen again. Sorry, I'm not sure. But I tried to help.  

Answer 4

arr, sorry to hear that.

i think your first one maybe had mange, I'm not sure look it up on the internet.

i think annie may have hurt her organs when she got stuck or even maybe broke her rib and even could of punctured her lung.

if you want another one, get a new cage just in case it was a chemical that made them bad.

hope this helped!  

Answer 5

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. They may have had two different things or the second one could have caught what the first one had. Think about if you changed anything about the way you were caring for them. You would have to talk with your vet about what happened.