Old hamster

[B00]

I have had Chocolate the hamster for roughly 3 years and very painfully aware he's an old man by hamster standards.

Lately I've noticed he's gone downhill very quickly, and has now a bald head, what appears to be tumors on his body and is now blind- well his eyes don't open anyway. As sad as this may sound im quite upset as he was such an endearing little thing. He no longer appears to be eating, but does come out to drink quite alot.

Anyway- I've been thinking that as I hate to see him obviously suffering, I was wondering if vets put hamsters down if you request it? Or would it be best to leave him to die peacefully in his bed as I imagine the travelling to the vet could very well kill him off anyway?

Any advice?

[B00]

I'm scared to think of it as a positive Lard, he looks so scrawny, bald and blind, it's hard to imagine he could rally round after that :-(

Not to mention what I assume are tumors on him- add all that to his old age, it aint looking good really is it?

[caslass]

When I was a girl I had a white mouse. I often took it to school in my blazer pocket. One day it poked its head out just as the teacher was at my desk. I can still hear her screams to this day.

[lardhelmet]

We found a suspicious lump on Honey's neck and whipped him off the vets. He said it was a growth and that it was quite common in rodents of a certain age. He said all the time he was eating and not in pain, it was OK. We just had to be careful when handling him obviously.

[B00]

Heh Caslass- rodents get a bad press, but as pets they're ace aren't they?

Yup Lard, that's why I'm assuming they are tumors seeing as he's so old. Just checked him again and he's now asleep.