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View Full Version : My First Hammies, taken from a disgusting situation


hses2esf
09-17-07, 12:01 PM 09-17-07
So there is this exotic pet store I used to go a long time ago but stopped going to when it changed hands. I found out that the DEC supposedly was closing them for selling venomous snakes. Anyway I decided to go down and check out what they had left and I was appalled. I noticed two tanks of dwarf/robo mixed hamsters. It was awful. At first look I immediately noticed flies inside the tank enough to make me believe that they hatched inside the tank. They had no water, and the food was vile. It was a ten gallon with about 12 hamsters in it of mixed gender. Many of them were beaten up from fighting. I immediately pointed this all out to the owner who had nothing but bad excuses. All the hamsters were under weight, lethargic and really is dire straights.
Normally I would not buy from such a person encouraging their bad behavior and bringing more hamsters into such a bad situation I am also not really impulsive but when I saw that I knew I had to do something. I took into account the fact she was being closed and wouldn't have the chance to do this again. Even though these are my first hamsters I have wanted hamsters for a long time and have done my research. I went through the tank and picked out three very friendly but sad looking hamsters. I stopped at a different pet store for supplies and brought them home. I have since lost one of them but it is simply amazing what some fresh water, food and clean bedding can do. In one day the two remaining girls have improved 10 fold. They are living in a nice spacious 29 gallon tank with tubes and a house, a water bottle instead of dish so they won't contaminate it. They drank and ate so much you would think they never had food or water before. The people at petsmart said that I must have a big heart because when they saw my 3 girls they couldn't believe how bad they looked. My bf is going back to see who is left in the tank. Tomorrow is their last day of business period and since we lost the other female we are going to see if there are any other females we can give a good home. I have one big question which I am sure I already know the answer to but I will ask anyway. How probable is it that the females I have and the ones I might take out of this place today are pregnant. I think that the female I lost was pregnant and now I am worried about the other two I have right now, I can deal with them having babies and what not I am more concerned about the fact that they are not in the best of heath and now they might be pregnant any advice?

dbl120902
09-18-07, 10:23 AM 09-18-07
Since chances are good that they're pregnant, my advice would definitely be to see a vet as soon as possible. They will help you determine whether or not they are pregnant as well as put them on antibiotics if needbe, and a vet will be the only one who knows for sure if this is necessary. Good luck!

P.S. Pictures???

hses2esf
09-18-07, 11:32 AM 09-18-07
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/hses2esf/000_0081.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/hses2esf/000_0087.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/hses2esf/000_0083.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/hses2esf/000_0076.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/hses2esf/000_0077.jpg
http://i167.photobucket.com/albums/u155/hses2esf/000_0075.jpg

Here they are. there is a picture of each individually and then some of them together. What does everybody think?

dbl120902
09-18-07, 12:26 PM 09-18-07
I've never seen one with a white band like that before... very cute. :) Do they get along okay? Have you thought about taking them to see a vet, since they did come from such bad conditions?

hses2esf
09-18-07, 12:41 PM 09-18-07
The two in the picture (the white and normal) kinda of have some issues with each other. The white one is the least friendly of the bunch but is not the dominant one. She will go after the one in the picture with her only when I take her out and then put her back in the cage. I have considered taking them to the vet. My vet is out of the country until the 28th. So I am considering waiting until he gets back and seeing how they do. So far just the presence of clean food and water has done miracles for them. Obviously the second I see something change I will take them in to whatever vet I can find that will see them. The white one was so weak it would barely walk now she is super perky. I placed two food dishes in the cage because the dominant female wasn't allowing the least dominant two to eat so that solved the issue.

daddysgurl9245
09-18-07, 12:56 PM 09-18-07
First off, good on you for saving the poor girls! They're really gorgeous too. Good luck with them and lets hope they're not preggers. Do you have any pictures of the third little girl yet? I hope the vet brings good news and keep us updated. :D *hugs*

hses2esf
09-18-07, 04:17 PM 09-18-07
All four of my hammies are shown in the pictures each has their own individual picture. I haven't really been able to name them any ideas for names??

daddysgurl9245
09-18-07, 04:34 PM 09-18-07
Ooooh. I guess I didn't notice them then! :p Hmmm, what kinda names are ya lookin for? Like specific to their personalities, markings, etc, etc? I can help ya if you give me specifics! Otherwise, I'm absolutely NO good with names. ;)

hses2esf
03-25-09, 06:17 PM 03-25-09
I know it's been a really long time since I update this thread But I was just going through all my posts and realized I never updated this. So unfortunately all of the hamsters died one died like I said pretty much the first day after I got them. Another one died a few days later. The last two lasted a few months and both developed cancer and died. The pet store just let them breed and breed in one big habitat not controlling inbreeding or anything. I'm just glad I gave them a good couple of last weeks of their lives.