Dad Recalls Near Death Experience After Life-Threatening Hamster Bite: 'I Did Try to Change the Story to a Scorpion'

An English father recounted his near death experience after he broke out in hives and went into anaphylactic shock when his pet hamster bit him out of the blue.

The hamster, Mochi, had reportedly begun seizing when she bit down on her owner Nathan Halliday's hand and refused to let go, as reported by Metro.

Halliday's girlfriend Rebecca to was forced to "pry her off," and Mochi died shortly after, as reported by The Sun.

Minutes later, Halliday's symptoms began. They ended up calling first responders after Halliday's blood oxygen levels severely dropped.

"It was absolutely horrendous especially as I had no idea a hamster bite could cause something like this. My whole body felt swollen and my throat hurt – I couldn't even speak and it was like breathing through a straw. I was covered in hives," Halliday said, as reported by Metro.

"Nobody had ever heard of what had happened before. It amused the doctors but they were very professional about it," he continued.

Paramedics took Halliday to the hospital where he was administered two shots of adrenaline, and given him an antihistamine and a tetanus shot.

"I was definitely the dullest guy in major trauma. I did try to change the story to a scorpion but I think the paramedics preferred [the] hamster," Halliday said, as reported by The Sun.