Hamsters bleed before they die, so I did some research to find out why, and here’s what I found.
Why do hamsters bleed before they die?
Hamsters bleed before they die due to diseases, infections, tumors, injuries, or organ failure. If you notice that the hamsters are bleeding, you should immediately take them to a veterinarian to examine them and help them before it is too late for their lives.
In today’s article, you will learn about all the reasons why hamsters bleed before they die, what to do in such situations, and answers to similar questions related to the topic.
Why do hamsters bleed before they die?
Hamsters can bleed before they die for a variety of reasons, such as disease, weakened immune systems, and other causes.
There are several external factors that cause hamsters to bleed before they die, here are some of them:
- trauma
- injuries
- poisoning
- abuse
Apart from external factors, there are also natural factors that cause bleeding before dying, such as the following:
- kidney disease
- bladder stones
- tumors
- old age
- uterine disease
- gastrointestinal infection
These reasons can cause hamsters to bleed to death, which is certainly a bad way to end their already very short lifespan.
Natural causes of hamsters bleeding before they die
Hamsters can bleed for natural reasons before they die, so let’s read more about each of them.
Nutritional deficiencies
Sometimes hamsters can bleed without any injury or disease in their body.
A lack of vitamin K can be the cause of bleeding because then the blood does not clot properly.
That’s why it’s important to take your hamster to a veterinarian who will examine the cause of his bleeding.
Parasites
Parasites such as fleas, mites, and ticks can cause amenia and can be the cause of your pet’s bleeding. Such parasite infections can be fatal if not treated promptly.
Symptoms of parasites are:
- itching
- too much grooming
- irritation and redness of the skin
If you notice such problems, immediately take the hamster to a veterinarian to prescribe appropriate therapy for treatment.
Old age
As hamsters get older they get more and more diseases that cause internal bleeding.
For example, they get tumors and infections which then cause bleeding.
Female Syrian hamsters in particular often get Amyloidosis as they get older, a condition where they have a build-up of amyloid protein in their body, which causes bleeding before they die.
Tumors
When hamsters have tumors, there is pressure on their blood arteries.
This pressure from the growth of the tumors causes damage to the blood arteries and then they bleed before they die.
Although hamsters usually get benign tumors, 4% of the tumors they get are malignant and they cause bleeding.
The most common tumors that cause bleeding in hamsters are:
- plasmacytomas
- lymphomas
- Mammary tumors
- papillomas
Bladder problems
Hamsters with bladder problems can then bleed before they die. This happens when they have bladder stones or an infection.
Stones in the bladder interfere with the functioning of the urinary tract and there is an accumulation of harmful substances that then create blockages and bleeding.
Kidney diseases
Kidney disease causes hamsters to bleed before they die.
This is especially true for older female Syrian hamsters who often have these problems.
Causes of kidney diseases in hamsters are high blood pressure, weak immunity, and viral infection.
Diseases related to the uterus in older female hamsters are the reason they bleed before they die.
Particularly dangerous is pyometra, which causes blood and pus in the uterus and can be life-threatening.
Hamsters can bleed before dying from uterine cysts and tumors.
Gastrointestinal infection
The gastrointestinal infection causes irritation and digestive tract problems in hamsters.
The consequence of this irritation is the bleeding of the hamsters on the back part of the body.
In addition to possible bleeding, gastrointestinal infections cause weight loss, lack of appetite, risk of neoplasia, and even fatal consequences or bleeding before death.
Hamsters bleed before they die from external causes as well
Hamsters can bleed before they die from external causes, such as injuries, trauma, poisoning, and others.
That’s why we will learn more about each of these reasons so that you can take timely action to help your hamster before it has fatal consequences.
Poisoning
Hamsters can easily get poisonous substances into their body and start bleeding and eventually die.
Cleaning products in your home may contain toxic ingredients that are harmful to hamsters and may cause problems with their organs.
Hamsters have a delicate organism that does not need much for poisoning, bleeding, and death to occur.
Trauma
Hamsters can get hurt very easily and get traumatic injuries which can then cause them to bleed before they die.
Traumatic injuries cause about 4% of hamster deaths, according to statistics..
Hamsters are very small, they have delicate bodies which in case of injuries from falling, attacks from other animals, and similar injuries can result in bleeding and death.
Read more: Why Hamster Bleeding From Bottom? All You Need To Know
Injuries
Injuries are common in hamsters, causing internal bleeding and death.
Sometimes hamsters hide the injury because they think that then they are easier prey for predators, but this is dangerous because they will start bleeding and we will not know.
That is why it is very important to observe your pet and if you notice that it is behaving out of the ordinary, take it to the vet for an examination before it is too late.
Abuse
Some owners may accidentally or intentionally injure a hamster, and it may bleed internally and die.
Especially when we hold them in our hands and if they fall, they can get fractures and internal injuries that can result in death.
All hamster owners should be careful with their pets as they are very delicate and can easily be injured.
Read more: Why My Hamsters Eye Is Bleeding? All You Need to Know
What to do when hamsters are bleeding?
If you notice that the hamsters are bleeding, it is not good at all and you should take them to the vet immediately.
When hamsters bleed, it’s for a reason and you have to react immediately before they have bigger problems with their health.
The vet is always the first thing to do, but until you get him to the vet, you can take some steps yourself to reduce the bleeding.
Here are some of them:
- The hamster should be in a warm place – as this can reduce bleeding because hamsters bleed more when they are in cold rooms.
- Disinfection – take a clean soft cloth and cold water to wipe the bleeding area, which can disinfect the wound.
- Apply pressure to the bleeding area – this is especially useful when hamsters have minor wounds or cuts to reduce or stop the bleeding altogether. Use a clean cloth and gently apply pressure to the bleeding area to reduce bleeding.
- Less movement – keep your hamster still to prevent your pet from bleeding more.
- A quiet environment – will allow the hamster to rest and be able to withstand the pain of the bleeding more easily, at least until you get it to the vet.
All these steps are only temporary attempts to prevent the condition from worsening, but a visit to the vet is urgent and you should take him for an examination as soon as possible.
Read more: Why Is My Hamster Nose Bleeding? Complete Guide
Is it normal for hamsters to bleed before they die?
It is not normal for hamsters to bleed before they die.
When they bleed then it is for a reason or a health problem and therefore they should be taken to the vet immediately.
If you notice that they are bleeding and have no external wounds or injuries, this should not be ignored, the longer you wait, the worse your pet’s condition can be.
Read more: Are Hamsters In Pain When They Die? Let’s Discover
How to stop hamsters from bleeding?
To prevent hamsters from bleeding you need to be careful how you treat them and be gentle and careful.
Any rough play with the hamsters can cause them injury which can result in them bleeding, injury, and death of the hamster.
Sharp objects should not be near them as they may swallow them or cause bleeding in their mouths.
A healthy and varied diet helps them have a good immune system that allows them to be more protected against internal bleeding.
Of course, regular examinations by a veterinarian are also necessary so that bleeding and fatal consequences for the life of the hamsters can always be prevented in a timely manner.
FAQs
How do you know a hamster has internal bleeding?
When hamsters have internal bleeding there are certain signs and symptoms that will help you to know that something is wrong with them. Those signs are lethargy, decreased appetite for food and water, swelling in the abdomen, blood in the urine, and difficulty breathing and moving.
What to do if the hamster is bleeding from the nose or mouth?
If you notice bleeding from the mouth or nose, you should immediately take the hamster to the vet. Bleeding from the mouth or nose can be for a variety of reasons such as tumors, misaligned or overgrown teeth, infections, and other conditions that must be treated immediately.
Conclusion
Hamsters bleed before they die for many reasons, such as injuries, traumas, tumors, infections, and other diseases.
When hamsters are bleeding it is a sign that they have a serious problem and must be taken to the vet immediately.
You can also try to stop the bleeding yourself, at least temporarily, while you wait to take him to the vet.
Hamsters are gentle animals that can easily bleed before they die, so you should be careful and take care of them as much as you can.
Read more: What To Do If A Hamster Tumor Burst? Let’s Find Out
