Hamster is he Hibernating or Dead?

[Lily_b]

It's touch & go whether Freddie our albino syrian hamster is dead or hibernating. I've looked on several websites for help and we have tried warming him for the past hour and a half. There is no rigomortis and we know he was alive yesterday. He was cold, although this is true to form for hibernation apparently and he has slightly warmed up (probably due to the lukewarm hot water bottle we've put under his bedded house), we are not sure if he is twitching ever so slightly or just imagining it. When do you think we should give up and break the news to the kids Freddie is no more?

[maggie01]

This happened to us when our kids were young except we didn't know they hibernated and unfortunately burried him. By the time someone told us about the hibernation, it was too late. I would just keep it warm till morning and see what happens. Good Luck!

[Scotman84]

This happened to us too years ago, ours was hard as a rock, so we wrapped him loosly in a towel and left him in a place where he could not run away (we had made a kind of 'run'). When we woke in the morning we saw that the towel was moving !! Don't give up !!

[rosiewesti]

Hi, I would strongly suggest that you pop into your local vet, there should not really be any charge for this, as it will only take a vet a minute to tell you.

Years ago and I will never forgive myself, my sons hamster appeared dead, so I buried it! A friend of ours who happened to be a vet, informed us that it is extremely difficult to an untrained eye to tell if a hamster is dead! and as my son had taken it outside on a lovely summers day in his cage (unknown to grandma who was babysitting!) and then left it outside all night, apparently the odds are that it went into a type of hibernation...need I say more! Good luck!

[Lily_b]

Thanks everyone for your quick replies.

We'll definately give him til morning then and if no joy, but still in doubt we'll pop over to the vet to make sure.

[Lily_b]

Alas, Freddie was announced DOA at the vets this morning. The kids took it quite well until we left, then the tears started (me too).

Such a little creature, but they still affect your life so much. Arranging holiday care, hunting amongst the toys because he's got out again, getting your ankles bashed by him in his ball, middle of the night exercise sessions and making sure he can find everything after changing the configuration of his rotastack every now & then. We'll miss you Freddie.

[horselady]

poor Freddie and poor you (and the kids) as you say, only a tiny pet but you all still loved him (((big hug)))

[lankeela]

Very sad, but it is all part of growing up and learning to accept the life and death situations we all have to deal with. Doesn't make it any easier though does it?

At least you know you did the right thing and he was obviously very loved while you had him.

[Willow Tree]

Very sorry for your loss. I found both my hamsters dead. The second time was actually really awful, cos it was quite a warm day and his cage smelt pretty awful... I seen him the day before, so I just thought his cage needed doing. Obviously not. :(

[bubbly girly]

you should be able to tell if something is deads or alive. touch it. Is it warm? Is his chest moving?