My diabetic hamster died tonight.

[Ann333]

I got a dwarf hamster about a month ago. I noticed her water bottle was emptying way too quickly to be normal. I figured out it was not leaking and that she was in fact drinking that much. After some research and joining a hamster forum for advice i tested her urine glucose. Turns out she had diabetes. Her new diet came in the mail on friday and she seemed to be doing better. When I came home from college today she was gasping for air. She was gone a few minutes later. It is very hard to watch something suffer like that.

I am angry, pet stores do not know about the pets they adopt out. ALL of their information seems to be wrong on ALL of their animals. Apparently dwarf hamsters are almost guaranteed to get diabetes if not on a very strict diet, one I would have gladly had her on if I had known.... but by the time I found out it was too late...

 

[Scott]

I'm so sorry, Ann. Selling a pet with assuredly known issues without educating the responsible owner is terribly callous and disrespectful. Sad and disturbing to see profit trumping responsible breeding.

 

[RavensGryf]

Oh no, Ann, how disappointing and sad this is . I understand your feelings after having been misinformed by someone you are 'supposed to' trust to give you correct basic information. If you only had her a month, chances are she was sick when you got her from being on the wrong diet probably all along. What a shame. I always stop and look at hamsters when I'm at the pet store, they're adorable. I am so sorry this happened.

 

[Ann333]

Yes. They don't even carry food that is good for a dwarf or diabetic hamster. I had to order it online. So I am sure she already was sick. It is just very upsetting.

 

[plumsmum2005]

Hi and so sorry for the loss of your hamster. As you have joined a forum you can do some good by putting out the information you have gathered in the short time you had her. By doing this it will help a few people and hopefully spread and a more informed public will eventually not allow them to get away with it.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Oh Ann! I am so sorry to hear of your dwarf hamster's passing. HUGS to you!!!

Rest easy, girl!

 

[Ann333]

Thanks everyone.

 

[Flboy]

They are such cute little guys! So sorry!

 

[Allee]

Ann, I'm so sorry for your loss! A heartbreaking thing to happen and all the more so because it was due to negligence by the pet store. It's a shame that profit is the only goal when innocent lives are involved.

 

[wingsNthings]

I had a dwarf hamster when I was eleven or twelve...maybe that's why he passed a bit early? I'm sorry about yours. I know I had a bad week after Socks was gone.