Accepted Answer

Hello,

I'm so sorry for the loss of your hamster. Without having a vet do a necropsy there is no way to be certain of the cause of death. However, when a death occurs rapidly like this with no symptoms, there are two main possibilities. One is that the hamster was injured. A head injury can cause a sudden death. Hamsters can fall from the wheel, tubes, or even the side bars of the cage.

The other possibility is that there was a heart problem. As hamsters have become more and more popular, people who breed them for pet stores have gotten careless with how they breed. Much inbreeding has gone on, and that has resulted in many inherited health problems. One of them is a heart condition called cardiomyopathy. Typically, it causes no symptoms, but the heart just suddenly stops beating. That often happens at a young age.

It sounds like you have taken excellent care of your hamster, and I don't think there was anything you could have done to prevent her death. If you have more questions, just let me know by clicking on REPLY. I know that words don't really help, but all I can do is offer you my condolences.

Anna

Expert:	Anna
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Accepts:
Answered:	9/17/2009

Pet Expert/Biologist

40 yrs.: herps, pocket pets, rabbits, poultry, dogs, horses. Biology degree. Volunteer vet assistant