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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
The night before last he was very active, climbing the cage and running on his wheel.
Yesterday morning we found him sleeping and he didn't get up. This wasn't too unusual because hamsters are nocturnal. We didn't think anything of it. He slept throughout the day. When he didn't get up at night, we started to worry. I went to see him and he was in a coma.
There were no vets at that hour of the night. His body was very cold. I put him on a warm pack. I knew he wasn't going to make it through the night to see a vet in the morning. He died at around midnight.
RIP Buttertart
Why? Why? Why? did he die? He was so healthy the day before.
This happened with Sophie as well. She died after about a month with us too. I got Sophie and Buttertart from the same pet store, PetsMart. I'm starting to wonder if their hamsters are healthy.
Maybe I did something wrong, but I don't know what I did wrong. I cared for Hammie the same way and he lived to be 2 1/2 years old.
I miss Buttertart. I still look for him out of habit whenever I pass by the spot he was at.
I don't know if I can get another hamster after this. Two hamsters in a row is too much. I think I caused their deaths in some way. I'm a danger to hamsters.
Deneb*
Posted by Dinah on July 24, 2006, at 16:26:28
In reply to Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
I'm sorry, Deneb. It obviously isn't your fault. You are an experienced hamster owner. I never did have much luck with pet store pets.
Are there any hamster breeders in your area? I know that may sound odd, but we located a local canary breeder once for my mother.
I know how distressing this must be. And I really am sorry.
Posted by Adrift on July 24, 2006, at 16:36:21
In reply to Re: Buttertart is dead » Deneb, posted by Dinah on July 24, 2006, at 16:26:28
Im so sorry about your hamsters. Pet stores are not known for healthy or well treated animals.
Posted by Phillipa on July 24, 2006, at 16:57:29
In reply to Re: Buttertart is dead, posted by Adrift on July 24, 2006, at 16:36:21
Sorry Deneb. I agree about the pet stores. Maybe a breeder or look in the newspaper for Hamster owners who might have one . I wonder if there are any sites on the internet for Hamster Breeders. Just a thought.No you didn't kill Buttertart. Love Phillipa
Posted by canadagirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:39:01
In reply to Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
I'm sorry to hear about Buttertart. I agree with everyone else's posts, Hamsters from a pet store usually don't live too long. A friend of mine purchased one just recently and it died in 3 weeks. Her children were devasted. They had to have a backyard uneral for it and everything.
Posted by TexasChic on July 24, 2006, at 19:17:31
In reply to Re: Buttertart is dead, posted by canadagirl on July 24, 2006, at 17:39:01
OMG I am so sorry Deneb! God that's so gut wrenching. I think getting two from the same store that died in the same amount of time says something about the store. Definitely not you. I'm so sorry.
-T
Posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 19:33:15
In reply to Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
Thanks everyone.
I miss the little guy. I still have to clean his cage. No more hamster. :-(
I keep forgetting he's dead. I find myself looking at the spot where he used to be. I keep asking myself, "Why?" Why did he die?
I miss him.
Deneb*
Posted by Kath on July 24, 2006, at 20:27:58
In reply to Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
I don't think it was your fault at all Deneb.
You were a perfectly competant owner for 1 hamster, so it's not your care that was the problem.
I'm sorry this happened.
Kath
Posted by javableue on July 24, 2006, at 21:54:56
In reply to Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, Deneb. It must be particularly painful after what happened with Sophie.
Pet stores are notorious for health problems. All of my pets to date (one cat, three bettas) have come from a pet store and all of them had health problems soon after I got them. I agree with the suggestion to try and find a reputable breeder. Maybe try your local SPCA? Small animals don't seem to be as common there, but it happens.
You're no danger to hamsters; you have loved them and done what you could you take care of them, but as others have said, it seems like there is a problem with the source.
I hope you are able to grieve and remember the happy times of Buttertart's life.
jb
Posted by javableue on July 24, 2006, at 21:56:26
In reply to Re: Buttertart is dead » Deneb, posted by javableue on July 24, 2006, at 21:54:56
By "grieve," I of course meant to process what happened in a way that is beneficial to you in the long run. I wouldn't wish grief on anybody... unfortunately, it's far too present in life. :(
jb
Posted by llrrrpp on July 24, 2006, at 22:13:48
In reply to Way to be clear, me., posted by javableue on July 24, 2006, at 21:56:26
((((((((Deneb*))))))))))
That is so painful. You know what? Buttertart had the best month of his whole life with you. You played with him, and fed him treats. You petted him, and gave him a safe, clean place. And that's a wonderful gift to give to a little hamster. You gave him a lot of love, and he knew that he was safe in the home you made him.
thinking of you,
your friend,
-ll
Posted by fallsfall on July 25, 2006, at 9:34:44
In reply to Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
(((Deneb))) I'm so sorry.
I'm sure you provided Buttertart a great home. It isn't your fault.
If you decide to get another hamster, maybe you could ask the SPCA if they know anyone who is breeding hamsters. When we were little, my sister bred gerbils (and sold them to the local pet store). Maybe someone in your area breeds hamsters.
It is so hard when a beloved pet dies. Do grieve, but don't feel guilty.
Posted by Poet on July 25, 2006, at 13:07:31
In reply to Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
Hi Deneb,
I'm so sorry. I don't think you did anything wrong, you knew how to take good care of Hammie. I think that the pet store you got Buttertart and Sophie from have a problem with the health of their hamsters.
Maybe you should see if that pet store needs someone experienced with hamsters to take care of them. That would be a job you would enjoy.
This is a total bummer.
Safe cyber hugs.
Poet
Posted by curtm on July 25, 2006, at 16:48:59
In reply to Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 24, 2006, at 16:10:00
(DENEB)
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Posted by Deneb on July 25, 2006, at 22:24:22
In reply to Re: Buttertart is dead » Deneb, posted by curtm on July 25, 2006, at 16:48:59
Thank-you everyone.
Thanks for the heart curtm, I know how difficult it is to do ascii art here.
I'll do some research on hamster breeders.
Deneb*
Posted by cloudydaze on July 26, 2006, at 0:10:19
In reply to Re: Buttertart is dead, posted by Deneb on July 25, 2006, at 22:24:22
> Thank-you everyone.
>
> Thanks for the heart curtm, I know how difficult it is to do ascii art here.
>
> I'll do some research on hamster breeders.
>
> Deneb*
(((((Deneb)))))The same thing happened to my daughter's fish. We got a beta, and it didn't last long, and so we ended up buying a new one, and it died right away too!
I'm sorry about your pet - i hope you are feeling better soon.
This is the end of the thread.
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