Why Do Hamsters Bleed Before They Die?- Understanding the Causes
Syrian or Chinese hamsters can often live up to 24–36 months before passing away. But like other pets, hamsters can develop several fatal diseases as they mature. When a hamster bleeds to death, it’s one of the most worrying situations for pet owners.
Thus, the question arises: “Why do hamsters bleed before they die?” Hamsters can bleed before death for several natural and external reasons. Hamsters are prone to illnesses like tumors, bladder infections, kidney stones, and uterine disease that causes hamsters to bleed.
We’ll explore the reasons why hamsters bleed to death in this article and provide advice on how to handle the situation.
Why Do Hamsters Bleed Out Before They Die?
As hamsters get older and their immune systems deteriorate, they can get a variety of illnesses that can cause bleeding and, ultimately, death.
Both natural and external factors can cause hamsters to bleed before they die. The likely causes of bleeding in hamsters are listed in the table below.
| Natural Causes for Bleeding | External Causes for Bleeding |
|---|---|
| Old Age | Injuries |
| Tumors | Trauma |
| Bladder Infection/Stone | Abuse |
| Renal Disease | Poisoning |
| Uterine Disease | |
| Gastrointestinal Infection |
Natural Reasons for Hamster Bleeding Before Death
Following are the natural reasons explained why hamsters bleed before dying.
1. Old Age
Hamsters’ bodies weaken and lose their ability to fend against illness as they age. As a result, hamsters could develop conditions like tumors or infections that can cause internal bleeding.
Additionally, studies show that 88% of female Syrian hamsters can develop diseases like Amyloidosis, the accumulation of the protein Amyloid in the organs, leading to bleeding and organ failure.
2. Tumors
The surrounding blood arteries may experience pressure due to a tumor’s growth and expansion. Sometimes tumors can also damage blood arteries, resulting in bleeding.
The average age of hamsters developing malignancies, according to a study, is 19.8 months. Mammary tumors, atypical fibromas, and papillomas are the most common tumors in Djungarian hamsters.
The most frequent tumors in Syrian hamsters are plasmacytomas and lymphomas.
3. Bladder Infection/Stone
The bladder and urinary tract can become inflamed and irritated because of a bladder infection.
Bladder stones can obstruct the urinary tract, leading to a buildup of poisonous substances in the body. In dire cases, the blockages might harm the bladder, causing bleeding or organ rupture.
4. Renal Disease
For elderly hamsters, particularly female Syrian hamsters with kidney infections, Amyloidosis, and inflammation are typical causes of bleeding and death. Bleeding from the anus is one of the signs of kidney infection.
Kidney diseases are often the result of a weak immune system, a viral infection, or excessive blood pressure in the kidneys.
5. Uterine Disease
Since female hamsters don’t have periods, bright red blood pouring from their genitalia indicates that they have uterine illnesses.
Blood and pus are discharged from the vulva of older female hamsters with Pyometra, a potentially fatal uterine infection. Possible causes of bleeding before death include the growth of uterine tumors and cysts.
6. Gastrointestinal Infection-
Bacteria and parasites are the causes of gastrointestinal illnesses in hamsters. It can irritate and inflame the digestive tract and cause hamsters to bleed from the anus.
Gastrointestinal infections can also increase the risk of neoplasia, electrolyte imbalances, weight loss, loss of appetite, and even death.
External Reasons for Hamster Bleeding Before Death
Following are the external reasons explained why hamsters bleed before dying.
1. Injuries
Hamsters are energetic creatures that are susceptible to several types of injuries. These injuries can cause damage to blood vessels and result in internal bleeding, pain, tension, and shock, all of which can weaken the hamster and lead to its demise.
2. Trauma
According to a US-based animal research breeding group survey, traumatic injury accounts for 3.8% of hamster deaths.
Since hamsters are tiny and delicate creatures, falls, animal attacks, and other physical impacts can quickly cause them harm. Your pet hamster may die from severe bleeding after falling from your hand or being bitten by another hamster.
3. Abuse
Hamsters kept as pets may experience abuse from their owner. When hamsters are treated roughly, thrown, or walked on, they may sustain internal injuries, fractured bones, or other physical trauma that causes severe bleeding and ultimately results in death.
4. Poisoning
Different poisonous substances, such as home cleaners and rat poison, can harm your hamster’s blood vessels and other organs, which might result in excessive bleeding and cause death.
What To Do If Your Hamster Is Bleeding?
Keep calm and call the veterinarian in your area if your pet hamster starts bleeding. Bleeding signifies your hamster is in pain and needs medical help.
Before you reach the veterinarian, you can do a few things to stop bleeding or reduce it:
- Make sure your hamster doesn’t move– Hold your hamster still to stop it from bleeding out or making the wound worse.
- Put pressure on the affected spot- Use a clean cloth or tissue to gently press the area where the bleeding is coming from and apply pressure to stop the bleeding if it is coming from a small cut or wound.
- Sanitize the bleeding area- Use a clean towel and cold water to wipe the bleeding area gently.
- Keep your hamster in a warm place- Bleeding is more likely to occur in cold and wet environments, keep the hamster warm and dry.
- Try to soothe and stay close to your hamster- Keep it in a clean cage when it’s in pain, and make sure to be close by. Don’t poke it or disturb it. Just keep it in a stable environment.
These methods are merely short-term means of attempting to stop your hamster from bleeding out. As soon as you can, take your hamster to the vet to receive the necessary treatments to keep it alive.
You can watch this Youtube video to know how to primarily handle a wounded hamster.
FAQ
Some frequently asked questions are picked here to give more insight into hamster bleeding.
Is it possible to prevent hamsters from bleeding?
Hamster bleeding can occasionally be prevented by maintaining good health, providing a balanced diet, and creating a comfortable living environment. A veterinarian should be consulted regularly to diagnose and stop any health conditions that could cause bleeding.
Why do hamsters bleed from their mouth and nose?
Different medical conditions, including enlarged teeth, respiratory infections, hemorrhagic illness, and tumors, can make hamsters bleed from the mouth and nose. Take your hamster to the vet right away if you notice any bleeding from the mouth or nose.
Bottom Line
Like other animals, hamsters are susceptible to various medical disorders. A severely unwell hamster will become dehydrated, lethargic, weigh less, and lose appetite. It’s important to identify these illness signs and treat them appropriately.
It is essential to get veterinarian care and comfort the hamster if it does begin to bleed before passing away.
By being aware of the causes of your hamster’s bleeding and taking proactive steps to prevent and treat it, you can help ensure it stays healthy.
