RIP Maggie... some questions regarding worms

AnnShh · Aug 6, 2009

Tonight I went to refill food and noticed that my hamster, Maggie, was half in and half out of her house. I thought it was odd so I picked the house up and she was dead. I've had her for about 1-1.5 years and she was about 2 years old when I bought her (got her from Petsmart as an adoption- a family returned her after owning her for most of her life because the kids got bored of her). So she was between 3-3.5 years of age.

I thought maybe she had a heart attack or something, because it seems like a sudden death would cause her to be half in/half out of her house... She showed no signs of being sick. 2 nights ago she was running on her wheel, and I heard her drinking last night. It's just a bit crazy.

So as I was moving her out of the cage I decided to check to see if perhaps there was blood or some sign of what could have happened. No blood, but coming out of her mouth were worms or maggots of some sort. They looked a bit longer than maggots but didn't seem to fit the size of other worms i've researched.

My question is- where could they have come from? I use pine bedding, could they have come from that? Or the food? Or could she have been infected internally and just now died from it? I've thoroughly washed her cage, and have thrown out all unused bedding and food and all of the stuff in the cage (house, wood chews etc).

Just kind of shocked, she was so sweet. Now the 'research' part in me is trying to find answers as to what happened.

saphire · Aug 7, 2009

Three and a half is a pretty long life for a hamster. As far as the worms, no idea. Keep us posted cause I'd like to know.

Rickman · Aug 7, 2009

Only way to know exactly what happened would be to have a necropsy done by a vet.
You might luck out and find one that will charge the minimum, as some want to learn!
Refridgerate the body in a zip-lock, and make some calls, maybe to a vet school around you - can't hurt!!
Sorry for your loss!

mishellyshel · Aug 7, 2009

sorry for your loss, she was a cutie. i hope you find the answers you are looking for.

Jenn · Aug 7, 2009

I'm so sorry you lost your hammie. They really are pretty special. I recently lost my hammie who was about 2, and it seems like your hammie led quite a long life. I have no idea what the worms are, and I too would like to know what you find out.

Ippo456 · Aug 7, 2009

I'm sorry for you loss, I know what it feels like to have lost a hamster.
Sounds like you've taken good care of your hamster because she had lived that long.
Worm could've come from her food or her bedding.
Some types of food, e.g. fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, or even grains, can contain worms.
Grains (some hamster food contain grains) can contain worms if they weren't processed properly and fresh vegetables & fruits are supposed to be removed after a day if there are leftovers in the cage.