My hamster stopped breathing and bled from nose. Is she dead? Why?

I would be concerned that Snow has a wound on the nose, and that she sounds like she is having difficulty breathing. If you have noticed this with a change of bedding, I would recommend removing the bedding and replacing it, or you can utilize towels or fleece for a period of time. It would be ideal to have Snow evaluated by a veterinarian - they may recommend treatment with topical or oral antibiotics, depending on the severity of the wound. If you are unable to take her to a veterinarian initially, I would recommend keeping a close eye on her breathing abilities. Additionally, if any discharge, crusting, inflammation/reddening, or swelling occurs, I would strongly advise her to be taken to a veterinarian. Please do not give Snow any human medications, as many of them can be harmful to our furry friends. I hope that gives you a place to start, and I hope Snow feels better soon.

I can see that your hamster is hunched and her fur is raised. Her labored breathing is cause for concern. It can be caused by infections or masses, and requires veterinary attention right away. The blood you identified can be caused by bloody stool, or even a rectal prolapse, both of which are serious medical conditions. She should be seen by a vet as soon as possible, as she may require supportive care to be stabilized. I hope all is well!

Hi there and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Any time we see any blood we worry. Bleeding noses are usually caused by trauma in our small fur friends. Your pet may have scraped it on bedding, toys, or even the cage itself. Less commonly of course are things like bacterial infections of the nasal cavity as well as neoplasia (types of cancers). If it persists or reoccurs please see your vet immediately-otherwise just keep an eye on it and make note if you pet has any changes in behavior etc which can make it more concerning. I hope this helps.

Sorry about your hamsters. Heat stroke would be a possibility as hamsters with heavy coats are unable to cope with excessive heat, especially if over 80 F. A veterinary visit could perform a necropsy in an attempt to determine cause of death. Sorry again.

Chewie sounds very sick, and I am so sorry that this is happening. From what you are describing, she needs to see a veterinarian immediately. She can then be evaluated to see if there are any possible treatments for her, and if there are not, they can assist with euthanasia if that is needed or desired by you to ease her suffering. 18 months is an older age for a hamster, so that may be related to why she is getting sick. The material around her nose may be making it hard for her to breathe as well - if she tolerates it, you can clean the material off with a warm, wet cloth, but be careful so that she doesn't panic or struggle when you do it since she is already having a hard time breathing. The veterinarian can also clean this off for you as well. I am so sorry again - it is never easy to have a pet get sick.

Hello, I'm so sorry to hear your hamster is not feeling well. The photo looks like she may have some diarrhea, which may help to explain why she has been lifting her bum up (tender) and has been lethargic. Her increased breathing rate may be a sign of pain. Unfortunately, two years old is considered elderly for a hamster so we also need to think about cancer as a possible cause as well. I would take her to a hamster-friendly vet as soon as possible. They may be able pinpoint a cause, and at least to provide medication to help with the diarrhea and pain, and fluids to help rehydrate her. I hope this helps.

Thanks for reaching out about Biscuit. By the description, he might have had a seizure or cardiac event. Dilated cardiomyopathy is relatively common in hamsters. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and listen to the heart for any arrhythmia or murmur. Not all heart disease is detectable via a stethoscope, therefore radiographs might be recommended to visualize heart size. This is not curable but could be managed with medications if diagnosed. Good luck.