Injured Hamster UPDATE and photo- page 4 (amputation)

[wildernesslodgelover]

Our beloved hamster got out of her cage (only the third time in 2 years, so not a bad record) after my 11 year old DD cleaned her cage and did not attach a tube onto the cage correctly.

I came into the room this morning as usual (we keep the hamster cage in our office, as hamsters are nocturnal and kind of noisy at night) and I saw the tube was not attached and the hamster was gone. I started looking around...the hamster was dangling from this wire basket thingy (hard to explain) and her little leg was wedged into this tiny crevice. I am pretty sure her leg is broken.

Now, obviously, she is not going to get a cast or get this fixed. I just don't think they do that for hamsters, right? Or do they? I don't care if she walks with a limp or looks funny, I just don't want her to be in pain. Of course I will call a vet when they open later this morning...but what do you guys think? She is eating and drinking and can get up and down her tubes just fine, but the leg is just dangling like..it is very broken, I am almost positive!

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I guess I'd try to find a small animal vet, or get in to see my own vet, if you think the leg is broken. I don't know what they'll do exactly, but I imagine they'd at least splint it or something. Poor thing.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You're going to need to go to a vet the specializes in small animals, possibly exotics (even though a hamster really isn't an exotic).

From a pain perspective, I'm sure there is some small dose of Aspirin (Childrens) that can be given to a hamster (I know my dog who is 7lbs gets 1/2 a Children's Aspirin).

 

[mjkacmom]

You're going to need to go to a vet the specializes in small animals, possibly exotics (even though a hamster really isn't an exotic).

From a pain perspective, I'm sure there is some small dose of Aspirin (Childrens) that can be given to a hamster (I know my dog who is 7lbs gets 1/2 a Children's Aspirin).

One of our rats had 2 surgeries, and they can be given prescription pain medication from an insulin needle with the point cut off.

 

[Mermaid02]

Poor little thing.....

 

[JESW]

Years ago we had to take one of our parakeets to the vet due to a broken leg - the bird was on the rug and when ds went to pick him up the leg was stuck and ds pulled a little too hard - ouch! When we took him to the vet he made a splint out of a piece of cardboard and some tape - which the bird promptly took off as soon as we got him home and back in the cage. We tried to put one back on several times but he kept taking it off. Several years later the bird is still alive but he has a bum foot - he has learned to adapt and does just fine. Hope you have as much success with the hamster.

Jill

 

[Darsa]

Awww, I hope she's okay! Let us know what happens with her

 

[bgirldeb]

Poor little thing!~

 

[Green Tea]

Only a vet who would see "Exotics" would look at my sick gerbil. If you can find one, it is worth it to go in since they can give meds by a tiny dropper. (Yeah, that's fun)

 

[goofyernmost]

Hamster stew...MMMmmmm!

 

[Tuffcookie]

Aww, poor thing!

I once paid $100 for surgery for a hamster!

One of the hamster's eyes popped out of the socket!

I had never heard of such a thing happening. I was told, by the vet, he may not even make it thru the surgery but I had a very sad and worried 7 year old so I had to let the vet try!

He made it thru the surgery and after that we nicknamed Ludwig "Popeye"!

(For those that think that was a bit ridiculous for a hamster...I agree..but sometimes you have to make decisions from the heart!)

TC

 

[piglet too]

Poor thing. I hope the vet has an answer for you. My vet treats hamsters/gerbils too, so maybe yours will as well.

 

[HM]

Good luck.

 

[ncmickeyluvr]

awwww...hope you have luck getting the poor thing treatment. I can't believe our little ( actually she's probably the world's biggest hammy! ) Bella hasn't come to a similiar fate. The kids...even dh once.. have the worst time remembering to close her cage properly. She excapes all the time!! We've been very lucky to always find her.....try waking up at 3am in the pitch black to a hamster on your pillow She's lucky I didn't squash her in a sleep hazed freak out panic!!!

 

[cabmom]

The Hamster will adapt to the foot. You do realize that they eat parts of themselves right? We have a hamster with one leg, I'm guessing he chewed it off or another one did it to him. Our hamsters keep breeding, if you were closer I'd give you some!

Hope he is ok!

 

[Dancemom03]

I had never heard of such a thing happening. I was told, by the vet, he may not even make it thru the surgery but I had a very sad and worried 7 year old so I had to let the vet try!

(For those that think that was a bit ridiculous for a hamster...I agree..but sometimes you have to make decisions from the heart!)

BTDT... spent over $600 at two vets for DD32's little iguana when he was in sixth grade. He'd gotten him from a friend and it developed that jaw problem common in iguanas. After more than $200 with the first exotic animal vet, they referred us to a "specialist" about forty-five minutes away. We drove him down there and the vet gave us little hope. I remember asking DS32 if he was sure he wanted to put it thru all that before authorizing additional treatment. I'll never forget that hurt look on his face and the hidden tears as he said "but mom I love him..." The iguana didn't make it but, while I laugh about how I should have just substituted another when he wasn't looking, I still don't regret trying.

OP - we've had lots of hammies over the years. They're really pretty resilient little guys and much more reasonable when at the vet's office than reptiles and birds. Here's hoping yours is feeling more comfortable very soon...

 

[dakcp2001]

OP< please give us an update! HOw is the little guy? I took a Hamster to the vet once, and the vet laughed at me and told me to buy a new one. I cried, went to another vet who took very good care of my hamster and I reported the first one. My little guy was allergic to one brand of cage bedding, and he got all red and itchy and was scratching himself silly. The second vet did give him something to help with the itch, so there are some who treat the little guys!

He may be small, but he is still part of the family! I really hope he is ok!

 

[Jockaroo]

Our beloved hamster got out of her cage (only the third time in 2 years, so not a bad record) after my 11 year old DD cleaned her cage and did not attach a tube onto the cage correctly.

I came into the room this morning as usual (we keep the hamster cage in our office, as hamsters are nocturnal and kind of noisy at night) and I saw the tube was not attached and the hamster was gone. I started looking around...the hamster was dangling from this wire basket thingy (hard to explain) and her little leg was wedged into this tiny crevice. I am pretty sure her leg is broken.

Now, obviously, she is not going to get a cast or get this fixed. I just don't think they do that for hamsters, right? Or do they? I don't care if she walks with a limp or looks funny, I just don't want her to be in pain. Of course I will call a vet when they open later this morning...but what do you guys think? She is eating and drinking and can get up and down her tubes just fine, but the leg is just dangling like..it is very broken, I am almost positive!

I know your family cares about this little hamster. When my dog was very ill and staying in the specialty hospital, I met a family who was having surgery on a pet rat. It was having a foot amputated. We talked for a while since I didn't even know that a pet that small could have surgery. I don't know the outcome, but I could tell that the young girl in the family loved this rat dearly. It may be possible that your hamster could have the damaged leg removed. I would fear infection leaving it as is without any treatment (surgery/antibiotics). Hope you can find a vet willing to help you.

You may wish to consider the life-span of the hamster before doing expensive and heroic measures. I'm in the camp that if it is a breathing creature and you can provide aid and pain relief you do what you can to give a quality of life. Good luck. Hope your little Hammy can recover from this.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Wow, thanks so much for the comments...I did not expect to find so many responses to this thread!

I called my vet when they opened (9 a.m.) and they do not treat hamsters. I was at the gym when I called, so on my way home, I stopped at the Banfield Clinic (the ones that are attached to PetSmart stores) to inquire...and they also do not treat hamsters.

So, I googled, found one nearby. I called and it would cost $50 for just a visit. I am ok with that, but of course if they need to do anything, that would cost more.

So, I took Fergie out of her cage, and put her on the floor. To me, she honestly seems like she is not limping *as* much. Like, she is using her hind leg a little, and letting it touch the floor when she walks, where before she had it totally drawn up. I also see a very small cut in the leg. I gave her a treat and she ate it, which to me is a good sign.

I am an animal lover, and so is my DD. We just want to do the right thing. It is the reason I do not have tons of pets. In addition to Fergie, we have a chihuahua and a miniature horse. As much as I would love to, and could budget in food, routine care, etc for more pets...it's these darn unpredictable injuries and illnesses that really hurt the wallet!

dakcp-www, what an awful attitude! I am glad you found a better vet!

Dancemom-That was a great lesson for your son! Even though the iguana did not make it...you tried!

cabmom-do they eat their legs if they are injured? I think you need to separate those hamsters!! And LOL...I don't want anymore after this...you know how hard it is for me to get my daughter to clean the cage regularly?? I am so sick of nagging her about it!

ncmickey-I am amazed at how it is not that difficult to catch a hamster...the other two times she got out, I put the cage on the floor...in the morning, apparently hamsters want to get back to their nest. One time, she got out and we could hear her INSIDE THE WALL! We just opened the cage and put the opening towards the (very tiny) crevice that she squeezed into, and the mext morning, there she was!

Tuffcookie-Ohhh, I have heard of that! I think that is actually common! Gross, though, huh?

LOL, Goofy! No thanks!

JESW-Yeah, that's what I am thinking...bum foot does not bother me, as long as there is no pain,l which there really does not seem to be.

thanks jlewis, mjka, mermaid,darsa, bgirl, green tea, piglet, HM!

I will post again later or tonight! Thanks again everyone!

 

[Jockaroo]

Maybe it is just a mild strain/sprain with the cut and rest will help. Sounds like she is getting along well. Keeping our fingers crossed that she continues to improve. I've never thought about how difficult it is to find a vet to treat exotics.