So glad you've gotten a happy ending to your story. I'm an animal lover too - actually I feel a tremendous amount for anyone/thing that is defenseless.
Now - I'm about to come clean. After I type this I'm going to grab my bunny slippers and crawl under my desk until all the sarcastic remarks and jokes are over.
Okay - my kids got a free hamster from a friend. The hamster chewed through it's cage, got out, somehow got downstairs, went behind the washer/dryer and ate mouse poison. I took this hamster to a vet emergency clinic. The vet wanted to charge a huge amount of money for me to bring the hamster in every day for (I don't remember how many) weeks. Told him no way - what else could we do? The vet was great and for about $20 I bought syringes and vitamin E(?) from him. He taught me how to inject the hamster and I gave this hamster shots every day for several weeks. I saved Trixie the hamster's life (take THAT sKerry) and she lived a long, happy life. And it made my kids happy too.
Now, for anyone interested, go ahead and let me have it for spending about $35 on a free hamster! Maybe the other animal lovers out there won't judge me.
See post #203, y'all!
---
Kitty Ping List alert!
[Freepmail me to get on or off the Kitty Ping List.]
You are much more qualified by now to give a hamster CPR than John Kerry.
I caught a mouse in my apartment and gave it to neighbor-friend who wanted a little pet. After about a year it developed a horrible skin problem. She took it to NYC's Animal Medical Center (major veterinary teaching and research hospital that has basically all the equipment and specialists that a human hospital has). I don't know how much she spent on it, but she took it there at least 3 times, and you don't get out of there for less $100 per visit at an absolute minimum (that's when they just look at the critter -- any treatment or medication is more). Mousie's condition was terminal, but with nightly baths in special medication, followed by some medication lotion, and some medicine added to its water, she kept it comfortable for several months.
lol on the coming clean.
We enjoyed having hamsters for pets for many years. Each had his or her own personality and was always a joy to watch.
One day, one of them (Hamilton? Dusty??) didn't look so good. Yes, after conferring w/my husband, our children & I took it to our local wonderful low-cost clinic, it was examined, and we left with antibiotic drops for it. A few days later, Dusty was sicker. I cradled it in soft bedding, with 3 very concerned little ones watching closely, and called the clinic, in tears myself. (no comments from any hard hearted person who has never been in this situation). A very patient person, after asking me questions, very gently said, "At this point, best to just let it go, and then later when you all are ready, just get a new hamster." We buried Dusty in al little box w/flowers and full honors.
Some people will understand, some will not. I still can't believe I was crying over a hamster, and my brothers would tease me mercilessly (!!) . . . but I've seen them take in strays as well. Kindness is a most beautiful quality in us, and to be greatly appreciated.
Interestingly, one thing we know about Terri Schiavo is that she DID resuscitate her dog (Bucky?), as well as cried when she thought she ran over a rabbit. I'll try to find the link. She affirmed life with every action, loved to sketch animals (some have been posted), and now -- faces actively being put to death herself.