Reptile & Amphibian Forums

ok, so allow me to introduce my situation. Bought two "female" hamsters from the pet store, put them in the same cage (bc the pet store didnt say that they would fight if they were both syrians, regardless of gender). About 2 1/2 weeks later, i come into my room and here this high pitched squeaking that was coming from neither of the two hamsters. I examine the cage and find a little spec of a baby hamster under the hideaway. I examine the cage further and discover a whole load of baby hamsters in the nest. Dismayed, I assume the mhamster was pregnant when I got her. Although I got more than I bargained for, or even wanted, I enjoyed my new little bundle of hamsters, and watching them as they developed every day. On day two, my sister come over and we discover that the one "female" hamster was actually a male, and we immediately move him to an alternate cage. The mother hamster is much more calm now and enjoys her territory and the father is doing well. I was amazed at how fast the hamsters grew and it turns out there was only 6 babies (Although i thought there were more to begin with, but the mother might have "ridded" herself of those extra burdens). So I go away for a day/night to visit a college, and figure they well be fine with freshwater and food and such. I looked forward to coming back to see how much they grew. To my complete horror, I find the cage smashed on the ground, two of the babies dead, and 4 remaining squirming desperately in the cage bottom. The mother: we find her in the basement, two floors down. Apparantly, my stupid ass cats got to my hamsters. I'm completely shook up and emotional right now. And im not an emotional/crying person. I didn't even think I was attached to the critters, but I can't stop crying right now. I feel it is my fault, and I shoulda just closed the damn door. I feel like a murderer and a failure at life. I killed them! God... Alright so just when I began to compose myself I notice that the one little baby has an open cut on his leg and the mother has a bloody gash on her side! Shes just sitting in the wheel, with her head leaning towards the side, not nursing her babies or anything. The babies are not as active as before and I fear that none of the hamsters will survive! Is there ANYTHING that I can do, anything?! How can I help the wounds of the mother and the one baby heal. There has to be something that I can do. Please, if there is anyone out there. Please help me. I feel horrible.

Hi, first, forget the guilt thing, it happens, NOW you know beware of other critters harming the caged ones.
Cats and even Dogs, are very interesested in these little quick moving critters.

I have heard many horror stories like yours.

I have even experienced them my self while keeping small animals as a kid.

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Okay First I have to say , you should call your Vet and have them seen.

BUT>>>>>> get their wounds cleaned ASAP.

you can use cotton balls , use warm soapy water, peroxide, just get the intial wound cleaned. I use providine solution, for my lizards, works well.

THEN get NEOSPORIN or an ANTIBIOTIC OINTMENT and put a dab on those bites, and continue to clean them and reaply ointment several times a day !

Cat bites are notorious for getting infected, HAVE to use ANTIBOTIC ointment on there!

If the bites get severely infected (very swollen, and nasty looking) They may need oral antibiotics also, besides just the ointment, on the bite.

As I say you really should call your Vet, but thats what I would do immediately if it were my pets.

I sure hope they can make it. Please keep us posted !
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Eve

Hate to make you feel any worse, but thats why I say VET visit.

The cat may not have just bit into the suface skin, but may have applied much pressure with his teeth, enough to cause unseen, INTERNAL bleeding or problems.

Sorry, but I had to add this, worse-case senerio ! I sure hope not, But be aware, it is possible, and theres not much you can do, to heal it yourself.

Hang in there !
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Eve

If the babies are still alive you can feed them on KMR or kitten milk replacer with an eye dropper or soak bread in it. They will also eat cheerios or oatmeal soaked in KMR when they are big enough. I'm not sure how old they are from your post but if they were starting to wander around the cage they should make it with no injuries.