November 30th 2024.
Nathan Halliday, a 34-year-old man from Kirkby, Merseyside, recently went through a terrifying ordeal when his beloved pet hamster, Mochi, unexpectedly turned on him. The two were peacefully spending time together when out of nowhere, Mochi clamped down on Nathan's hand and refused to let go.
Nathan was caught off guard and immediately went into a state of shock as his body reacted to the bite. He experienced an anaphylactic shock, causing his body to swell up and making it difficult for him to breathe. His partner, Rebecca Kidd, tried to pry Mochi off of him, but it was a struggle. She quickly called 999, fearing the worst.
Sadly, Mochi had been showing signs of frailty in the days leading up to the incident. After finally being removed from Nathan, she took her last two breaths and passed away. In a frantic ambulance ride, Nathan was given two shots of adrenaline, an antihistamine, and oxygen in an attempt to save his life.
Things were looking bleak for Nathan as he was quickly losing oxygen. His family feared the worst, but thankfully, he made it through. Reflecting on the experience, Nathan said, "It was absolutely horrendous, especially since I had no idea a hamster bite could cause such a severe reaction. My whole body felt swollen, and I could barely breathe. I was covered in hives."
The doctors treating Nathan had never encountered a case like this before, making it a bit of an amusing mystery for them. But they remained professional and gave Nathan epi pens for any future encounters with aggressive hamsters. Nathan joked, "All jokes aside, it was a really scary experience."
Unfortunately, anaphylactic shocks from hamster bites are extremely rare, but not unheard of. In fact, a man died from one in 2007. The ordeal took a physical and emotional toll on Nathan, leaving him exhausted and with a continuous shaking in his right arm. He even tried to change the story to a scorpion attack, but the paramedics seemed to prefer the unusual hamster case.
Nathan wants to make sure others are aware of the symptoms of anaphylactic shock, including swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty breathing, and a hoarse voice. He also wants people to know when to call 999 for immediate medical attention.
As for Mochi, she now rests in a fancy cracker box in the garden. Nathan holds no grudges against her and even says he would never turn down another hamster in need of a home. He and his family rescue hamsters from people who no longer want them and are happy to continue doing so. As Nathan puts it, "I don't blame Mochi. She was just being a hamster. We love them and would never say no to another one."
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