I dont know what happened?

Question
My hamster was fine I had him for a couple of months, he was a very happy hamster one I went to work and he was fine and when I came home that night he was was balled up into a corner in his cage under his wheel dead??? I was very sad wat could have possibly happen? Oh and he also like to open his cage door and jump down from his cage he was high up he did this probably three times could that have caused it? I just don't know what hppened.

Answer
Hi Melanie

I'm really sorry to hear about your hamster.  It must have been a real shock for you finding him dead.  

It is impossible to know for sure what happened.  It could have been a fall, but I doubt that he would have died so suddenly from injuries, and would more likely have appeared ill or limping etc.

With most serious illnesses there are usually other signs that give an indication that something is wrong.  

As with humans, hamsters can suffer from heart attacks and it could be that he suffered from heart failure.  Sometimes they are born with illnesses that are impossible for us to detect and the first thing we know about it is when we find them dead.  I had one once who died at only 8 weeks who I suspected died from heart failure as there were some signs the day before and my vet was able to examine him.

With larger animals it is possible to carry out a post mortem, but for such a small animal it would be incredibly expensive to do this, I'm afraid.

I'm really sorry there is no definitive answer to your question.

Regards