hamster euthanasia - an ethical question
Discussion
serious question!
i have a couple of chinese hamsters, who must be about 2 years old now.
the other morning i noticed that one of them was sat motionless in the middle of the cage. this is unusual as they are always asleep during the day. i took him out the cage and picked him up as though he was inanimate - again strange as chinese hamsters aren't too keen on being caught, this one especially so.
since then its pretty obvious he's about to kark it, as he can't walk and just sits there shaking about. when i move him he tries to fight me like i'm a predator and gets quite disturbed.
now i've kept various rodents for years so am used to this, but my usual experience is that they slip away pretty quickly when they reach this stage.
its been 2.5days now though and it is getting upsetting for the OH as its not nice watching anything die. i am very suprised he is still clinging on tbh.
i have had him go torpid before [hibernating due to the cold] but i know its not this.
so, my question is whether you think he's in pain or simply slipping away, and if the former whether i should help ease that pain.
have only ever euthanised a deformed koi carp so i wouldn't know how to go about it. what should i do?
ps - am expecting pisstake/humorous answers but nothing too harsh in case the OH reads this as this one is 'her' hamster and is upset enough already.
ta.
i have a couple of chinese hamsters, who must be about 2 years old now.
the other morning i noticed that one of them was sat motionless in the middle of the cage. this is unusual as they are always asleep during the day. i took him out the cage and picked him up as though he was inanimate - again strange as chinese hamsters aren't too keen on being caught, this one especially so.
since then its pretty obvious he's about to kark it, as he can't walk and just sits there shaking about. when i move him he tries to fight me like i'm a predator and gets quite disturbed.
now i've kept various rodents for years so am used to this, but my usual experience is that they slip away pretty quickly when they reach this stage.
its been 2.5days now though and it is getting upsetting for the OH as its not nice watching anything die. i am very suprised he is still clinging on tbh.
i have had him go torpid before [hibernating due to the cold] but i know its not this.
so, my question is whether you think he's in pain or simply slipping away, and if the former whether i should help ease that pain.
have only ever euthanised a deformed koi carp so i wouldn't know how to go about it. what should i do?
ps - am expecting pisstake/humorous answers but nothing too harsh in case the OH reads this as this one is 'her' hamster and is upset enough already.
ta.
GilbertGrape said:
What about taking it to a Vet?
That's what I would do..
If it's upsetting the Mrs enough get her to pay for the vet to gas it to death in a lunch box. It'll probably be about £40 I guess given it cost us £28 just for a vet to go. "Yep thats a sick hamster". Mind you it took them 30 mins to come to that conclusion.... nice vet thoughThat's what I would do..
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