Old hamster declining - what to do

[scholes3]

Thanks again for all the advice. Both my children know now and have had a cuddle and time with her. I have a vets appointment for 8.30am as a vet who specialises in small animals.

She can’t walk anymore really and is sitting oddly when she is awake (which is few and far between now).

As much as I hate it I think pts might be the option that is suggested for her by the vet. And I know in my heart of hearts she can’t carry on like this

 

[Maz]

I think the vet will help decide whether she needs pain meds or to be helped on her way. Hope all goes ok.

 

[scholes3]

Hi everyone,
Just to let you all know our lovely Nibbles got put to sleep yesterday morning at the Vets. Because of you all, I knew exactly what to ask and what to expect, I can't thank you enough.
She was peaceful when I said goodbye and we were given a lovely little paw print to remember her by - the girls really appreciated this (especially as she has gone for communal cremation so we won't have anything else).
I got back to the car and sobbed and sobbed, it was so hard. But my daughters got to say goodbye to her before they went to school, they got to cuddle her and I KNOW that if we'd let her carry on her demise would have been even worse for all involved.
We have got some daffodil bulbs to plant in the garden so we'll get a little reminder of her every Spring.
Thanks again, I'm so pleased I found this forum.
Becky

 

[RainbowBrite]

Becky, I am so very sorry for Nibbles passing. You made such a selfless decision for Nibbles. It is so lovely the vet gave you a paw print to remember her by. Planting daffodil bulbs is such a beautiful idea. Allow yourself to cry and grieve. NIbbles was a loved family member and it is okay to be sad.

 

[Member ID2]

I am so sorry for your loss but it was the right decision. See it as your final act of love. Nibbles got to say good bye to her family and was comforted in her last hour to make her passing peaceful.

It's incredibly hard when they leave us but in time your grief will ease and Nibbles' happy memories will live on.

 

[Riven]

I'm so sorry to hear of Nibbles' departure. As difficult as it is, it was the kindest thing you could do and shows how much you loved and cared for her! When the time is right, feel free to create a post in the rainbow bridge section in her memory.

 

[Maz]

I am so sorry. I think it sounds like a very caring vet for them to give you a paw print. It is so incredibly hard and I'm glad you were able to cry afterwards - it's heartbreaking but it helps to let it out. It can help when you have a little ceremony or memorial or ceremony - and planting the daffodil bulbs is something like that.

I find the hardest thing afterwards is the empty cage and not wanting to deal with it straight away. But seeing it is too upsetting as well. I sometimes cover it over with a blanket for 2 or 3 days so I don't see the familiarity. And then grit my teeth and clean everything out and put the cage away.

Once that's done it helps too.

 

[Coco61]

Very sorry to hear about your loss of Nibbles.
Having been through this, I know how you feel and when a daughter is involved.
if you do want a memento of some sort even without ashes, have a look at the website Pets Remembered.
I have two Syrians in pots in the garden with a plant on top but I wanted memorial stones too. Just the name and dates and I have them inside still as they are so lovely I didn’t want them in the pots.
I chose the beach cobbles. Just a thought

 

[Coco61]

This is what I was trying to describe.

 

[Maz]

Hope you’re doing ok Scholes. Do think about getting another hammy if and when it feels right. It felt like the right thing to do for us. I think it’s good that children get to see them get older and more mellow and although it’s awful when they go I also think it’s best they know this happens. You see stories of some “miraculous “ hamster who came back to life only to find the parents had gone out and got another similar looking hamster! That might help with extremely young children but I think children are not stupid.

 

[scholes3]

Thank you all. I love this idea of a stone - I didn’t know you could get ones like that.

We’re doing ok, lots of talking about her and remembering the good times.

 

[Maz]

I got this for our first hamster for the garden - sits against a bird table. You choose the name to be put on it. But maybe you prefer just to have something natural like the daffodils x

Personalised Rainbow Bridge Woodland Memorial Stone Door Outline Design Garden | eBay

WOODLAND RAINBOW BRIDGE DOOR. Rainbow Bridge is a peaceful, magical place for your pet to go and wait until you are reunited once again.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Maz]

Just edited the above as the previous link was for a rabbit one.