One of our Roborovski hamsters has been getting sicker over the past week. By the time I got home this evening, she was panting on her side, so weak that she was unable to stand up or even protest when I picked her up.

I decided it was time to stop the suffering and give her some peace.

So I researched the web, and found that the most humane way to euthanize a hamster is using carbon dioxide.

Where could I get carbon dioxide? From dry ice, of course.

So I Googleed dry ice sellers, and I found out a couple of blocks away. I called, and I asked for 200 grams of dry ice. The guy told me that the minimum amount they sell is 5 pounds. I agreed to pay $5 for 5 lbs of dry ice.

He heard all sorts of uses for dry ice in the past, but euthanizing a hamster was a first. He gladly sold me the dry ice.

I already had a plan. I relocated the sick hamster into the small plastic container with a meshed lid on top, and I put a block of dry ice right on top of the mesh.

As the dry ice started melting, the now gaseous carbon dioxide dripped into the container. I could see her gasping for air. It was hard to watch, but I have seen children die before, so I knew I could handle this.

In less than two minutes, the hamster's gasping stopped completely. I waited for a bit longer, just to be sure. It felt serene. The cloud-like vapor enveloped the now still hamster. It was like she was in heaven.

Man you come up with the weirdest stories... when I mean come up I mean experience.

Wow man... that's just sad... but thats life eh?

I wouldve gotten her a shot to be put down... i wouldn't be able to see my own beloved pet suffocate (even if it's only 2 minutes).

Establishing an intravenous access on a 200 gram dwarf hamster would be extremely challenging. That's why I opted out of the potassium chloride solution.

Maybe a strong dose of sleep meds?

Jesus man.I would of just hooked a hose to the trucks exhaust

I'm sorry for the loss of your pet. It's hard to watch them suffer, so I am glad you found a way to end it sooner.

I actually didn't know it was that easy to get dry ice. I figured it had to be special ordered ahead of time.

so thats why you have to be a certain age to buy dry ice

thats like your GLaDOS and your neurotoxin-ing chell.... very sad way to die.
im glad none of my pets have died, other than fish. you know you could have it get a shot at the vet.

Quote:
you know you could have it get a shot at the vet.

The vet cannot do that for a dwarf hamster. It would be nearly impossible to establish an intravenous access, like I said earlier.

Inhaled anesthetic would probably be used at the vet.