why did hamster died?

Question
8 days ago I found my 2year old hamster acting as if she was dying.  She was sitting on my hand and not moving. We had just moved from a very cold flat with a coal-fire, to a normal house with radiators about two weeks before.  I then nursed her and she appeared to be improving slowly for 5 days although still not near herself. Then 2 days before she died, she started sleeping all day and all night and eating the tiniest nibble or a little bit of cucumber.  She stopped drinking out of her bottle - although I did witnessed once that she licked a bit of water out of her built-in dish (which I placed near her).  Her walking was still hopelessly upsetting to watch.  I, (although regret it) decided to assume it was old age and that she was dying.  The last day, she was acting so sluggish that if you parked her on a cat's back, she would probably enjoy the warmth rather than be scared.  When I picked her up from her cage to look for any changes, her feet and body felt abnormally cold and her weight was light.  She did not squeek as if in no pain but she looked the most miserable creature in the world which was horrible to see.  I put her back in cage and turned the heating up slightly as I was told that old ones need that little extra warmth.  She was now acting exactly like the 8 days ago when I first noticed her change.  The slight improvement had vanished.  That night, as I decided to check on her, I picked her up ever so carefully and stroked her lightly and I saw a little drip of blood drop out of her nose.  I put her slowly on my chair and with in seconds she started acting as if she was having a heart-attack.  Her mouth would open as wide as physically possible then close - 3 times with 30 seconds pause in-between.  There was no squeek which confused me big time.  She died with her eyes open.  If she was in pain- why was she so quiet?  I did check her tail but things seemed normal and dry.  What happened to my larger-than-life happy hamster in that last week?  Have I done anything wrong for future reference?  Since I got her, the cage was always cleaned out every week; I would move her stuff around in her cage occassionally to prevent boredom and I always had fresh water every day etc...  What did I do wrong?  I feel very guilty for not taking her to the vets but she was slowly improving after her change.  Can hamsters age overnight.  Will my hamster (Bomber) forgive me in heaven if she thinks I should of took her to the vets?  Please help!  Forgive me but I'm a thirty-years-old man and I nearly sobbed when she died on my hand.  I will be most grateful for any answers so I learn from any mistakes - if I made any that is!  My four year old son will want answers too god forbid.  

Answer
Hi Richard,

First, I'm very sorry for your loss.  It's never easy to have a pet die.  I hope I can help.

Often, it does seem as if hamsters age overnight, especially when they are older (2+ years).  I have had several hamsters act the same way yours did.  I took them to the vet, but he was unable to help.  Unfortunately, I have never been able to determine myself why they did.  Perhaps it really is due to aging.  The hamsters were all older, at least 2 years old.  

It doesn't sound as if you did anything wrong.  In fact, you sound as if you were a great pet-owner.  However, I do make it a point to remind everyone who asks me a question to make sure that they use Aspen or Carefresh bedding only.  Pine and cedar are dangerous beddings as they cause respiratory infections.

I really wish I could be of more help.  Again, I'm sorry for your loss.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly