Hammie Question from the Cat side....

[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

[Taz_Zoee]

Awww, that poor little boy. This is the woman I met last night, isn't it Claudia? (btw, it was great seeing you again )

Well, I hope this hamster sticks around. Maybe they should jump on the internet and they could possibly find a hamster specific forum that could help. Not that there aren't hammie experts here, it was just another idea.

[kitten645]

HI CINDY!!! *waves* Yes it is Chelle's son. So far so good on number three. Seems the week mark has been the fatal day..literally So if he lasts thru the week, we are ahead of the curve Fingers crossed!
Claudia