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Originally Posted by NickyT75  Sorry to hear this hun but I just wanted to find out if you were aware that Hamsters can sometimes go into a hibernation like state where they may appear dead?
This is probably not the case with yours but it has happened to mine in the past.
Hamsters like to be in the range of 65-80 degree Fahrenheit. When the temperature goes below 40 Fahrenheit, they may go into temporary hibernation, or torpor. A hibernating hamster may die of hypothermia or starvation if not aroused. If you have a hamster in this sleeping state it may seem that all life is extinct in the hamster, but close observation will reveal the hamster’s whiskers (vibrissae) are still twitching. The hamster must be aroused by slowly warming or gentle handling and stroking. After the arousal period it may be noted that hamster will be little groggy and trembling this will last only for a short time.
To prevent a hamster from hibernating it is suggested to keep your hamsters warm, keep the temperature above 15°C, keeping them well lit for at least 12 hours a day provide plenty of food and handle regularly
During deep hibernation the heart rate slows to as little as 4 beats per minute and the respiration can fall to only one breath every 2 minutes. The temperature of the cheek pouch will remain slightly above the ambient temperature. On examination, the hamster is curled up and the limbs feel more rigid than normal, but can still be extended slightly by gentle traction. On close inspection and following a gentle stroke the whiskers will be seen to twitch. This is the most consistent finding in a hibernator. Features that suggest that the animal has died are board-like rigidity of the limbs indicating rigor mortis and failure to waken or show any sign of life after 24 hours in an ambient temperature above 20°C. |
I don't think it was hibernation because both of them were cold and we couldn't find a heartbeat and they had gone stiff
We tried a lot to try and wake them just incase but they wouldn't stir at all. I hope it's not the case cos I'd hate to think of them in that box alive and that I can't do anything to get them back
xxx
