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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on July 12, 2008, at 20:41:21
I'm sad.
I found her dead last night.
I'm a hamster killer.
I don't know what I'm doing that is killing my hamsters, but they always die on me.
Hammie lived 2.5 years. Sophie lived about a month. Buttertart lived about a month. Greenbean lived a few days. Butterball lived 7 months.
Maybe I didn't rinse out the blench used to clean the cage properly and my hamsters died of poisoning?
I don't know.
Maybe my hamsters ate the bedding and died?
I miss Butterball. My Mom told me to never buy another hamster. She is disturbed by death.
If I'm killing my hamsters, I shouldn't get another hamster.
Does anyone have any ideas on what I did wrong?
If I get another hamster, I think I'll weigh him/her everyday. Maybe that will catch the first signs of illness.
Hamsters are like other small prey animals in that they don't show signs of illness when they are ill. Signs make them vulnerable to predators.
Posted by Tabitha on July 12, 2008, at 22:12:45
In reply to Butterball died, posted by Deneb on July 12, 2008, at 20:41:21
I'm sorry Deneb. You've certainly had a run of bad luck with hamsters lately :(
Posted by TexasChic on July 12, 2008, at 23:41:38
In reply to Re: Butterball died, posted by Tabitha on July 12, 2008, at 22:12:45
I'm so sorry Deneb. Are you buying them all from the same place? Maybe they have some sickness that is spread when they're all together at the store. How long do they normally live anyway?
-T
Posted by muffled on July 13, 2008, at 10:18:02
In reply to Re: Butterball died, posted by TexasChic on July 12, 2008, at 23:41:38
Alot of petstore stock tends to be incredibly inbred.
Its hard to find good stock, esp rodents too.
I think you just goto know that they may not live long no matter what you do, just give those little creatures a good life while it lasts.
And I see they only live a coupla years...
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/1999-10/941200207.Gb.r.html
Posted by Dinah on July 13, 2008, at 11:01:54
In reply to Butterball died, posted by Deneb on July 12, 2008, at 20:41:21
You aren't a hamster killer. Hamsters just don't live very long is all. My mother had them in her class and she only had one that lived very long, probably no longer than Hammie. And believe me, she took no special measures. That poor hamster was mauled by children and I doubt it's cage was ever scrubbed down with bleach at all.
It's just the nature of hamsters. It's too bad your mom won't let you get a dog or cat or rabbit. I think Muffled is right. You give them a good loving home when they're here, what more can you do?
I'm very sorry for your loss.
Posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2008, at 12:37:12
In reply to Re: Butterball died, posted by Dinah on July 13, 2008, at 11:01:54
Oh Deneb so sorry but that thread provided did say they live short lives could you show that to your Mom? Would she change her mind about a cat or dog? Love Phillipa
Posted by llurpsienoodle on July 13, 2008, at 20:15:44
In reply to Re: Butterball died, posted by Phillipa on July 13, 2008, at 12:37:12
((((Deneb))))
I know this is a hard time for you. Hang in there, and don't blame yourself. You gave Butterball the best care and love a human could have given him.-Ll
Posted by Kath on July 13, 2008, at 21:03:14
In reply to Butterball died, posted by Deneb on July 12, 2008, at 20:41:21
So very sorry Deneb.
I doubt it's anything you're doing or not doing.
I'd be too upset to get another hampster. That's a lot of grief you've experienced hunnee.
luv, Kath
Posted by Deneb on July 14, 2008, at 2:40:04
In reply to Re: Butterball died, posted by Kath on July 13, 2008, at 21:03:14
Thanks everyone.
The first night I was kind of in denial about Butterball's death. I kept trying to wake her up. I didn't cry that first night.
I started crying the second day though, not excessively. I'm OK. It's kind of bad to say this, but I'm used to hamsters dying now. I can get on with my life. I miss her terribly tho and wish I had a time machine so I could maybe catch her illness and bring her to the vet.
Hammie was the hardest. I literally couldn't control the sobbing that time. It lasted a good long while too, but as with any death, it gets easier as time goes on.
Right now I think I'm done with hamsters. They are just not hardy animals. I got lucky with Hammie, who died of old age related disease.
Posted by Kath on July 14, 2008, at 19:14:59
In reply to Re: Butterball died, posted by Deneb on July 14, 2008, at 2:40:04
I'm glad you're doing well hun.
I realize I spelled it wrong! I spelled it like I say it: hampster!!! Didn't even realize that I say it wrong.
Hey Deneb, I wasn't checking here for a while. Missed hearing how things went with your job & all that.
Care to share? luv, Kath
This is the end of the thread.
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