Hammie Question from the Cat side....

[kitten645]

Hello All,
I'm normally posting on the Cat side but I told my friend I'd ask you knowledgeable PT'ers for advice on Hamsters. She got one for her 11 year old. His first. That was two weeks ago. They did all the research and got him everything the Petco peeps recommended. A week to the day, poor thing died. Poor Harrison is devestated! His first death . They have a cat and dog and are very responsible pet owners.
Went back and got another one. Harrison was so sad he said he couldn't name it yet. Well guess I'm glead he didn't get to attached because ONE WEEK TO THE DAY ! Again! Dead.
Can anyone advise? Is there some sort of certification that guarantees health? They want to try again but needless to say they are hesitant. Suggestions?
THanks!
Claudia

[Karen]

They need to call the store, they should give him a new one for free. I'd look at the conditions of the store, etc., and if the hammies seem healthy, okay, but they do have a policy on just such instances.

[Seravieve]

Wow that's awful. Sounds similar to my history with hamsters though... I had probably 4 in a row die within several months of each other. They were from several different stores... I would just wake up and find them dead in their cage. I have no answers.. just thought I'd mention I had a similar situation.

[Karen]

What kind of bedding are the hamsters kept on at the store? And what are they using? The wrong bedding can make hammies very sick.

[Whisk_Luva]

The bedding type is very important as Karen said, bedding which is not made out of natural materials can cause a rectal prolapse.

Also wet tail might be the cause. This is a disease which is often caused by stress, and young hamster are more prone to this. The cage which the hamster is being put into should be ready when the new hamster arrives, and the hamster should be left for about 2 days before being picked up etc, as the hamster needs to settle in to avoid stress. The main symptom is diarrhoea and wet tail usually kills the hamster within 2 days after the symptoms show if not treated. Symptoms usually take about 7 days to show.

If the hamsters had no signs of either of the things, all I would say is to clean and disinfect the cage before another hamster goes in it, and talk to the pet store.

Also how old are the hamsters? The hamsters should be at least 5-6weeks old.

[kitten645]

Thank you all for the info. They are now on hammie #3 They were very specific about the bedding being natural so I know that isn't the problem. Petco does have a 15 day policy and has replaced each one but that doesn't help a childs broken heart I've been to the store and it's quite clean and the animals are well taken care of. I'll have to ask how old the hammie is. When they got the second one, the guy DID tell them not to handle him for a week due to stress levels. Harrison was very good about following the directions but that doesn't seem to have helped.
I didn't realize hammies were so delicate. I figured rodents would be pretty hardy but I guess the domesticated kind isn't. Fingers crossed on number three. Name suggestions? He still hasn't named it as he's not so trusting he'll stick around
Thanks again,
Claudia

[kitten645]

Okay now this is ridiculous. Number three died today..five days! I'm sure they are giving up now. I just don't understand. If something like this happened with a dog or cat, there would be something to answer for. Are small animals so disposable? I'm really mad and not sure what to do next. Is there some reporting agency I should contact..other than Animal Control that I know will do nothing. Suggestions?

[Karen]

They should sterilize everything they used for all the hamsters. Not just wash it, sterilize it completely. Discard any used bedding, and anything else that may have been contaminated.

I would also write to the corporate office for the store, with dates and receipts.

Sending the letter to the Better Business Bureau at the same time is something they should think about.

I would then wait a while before getting another rodent, and maybe opt for something sturdier, like a guinea pig.

[IRescue452]

MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT GET ANOTHER RODENT RIGHT NOW!

The store clearly has a disease outbreak. They should make sure the store knows. The store can quarentine and disinfect until the cows come home and they still won't get everything. Small rodent diseases can go virtually without symptoms until something happens (a move to a new home causing stress). Some diseases are extremely contagious and can pass from various types of rodents and animals with different symptoms with each animal. You can file a complaint with the better business bureau only after you've informed the store that you think they have a disease outbreak and they won't do anything. You'd best make sure its not something the kid is doing that is causing this. A toxic food treat perhaps?