dwarf hamster is limping

hammyham · 01-31-2009, 02:51 PM

1 of my hamsters has no back foot ..he just has a stump ..but he was getting around just find in fact he was a little flyer ..but the last few days he is limping on it and trying to hold it up..
yesterday he seemed to be licking or biting it ..i'm not sure what to do about it..its getting red and he is not going in his wheel anymore and we used to have to take it away from him because he was always in it.
please help ..any ideas

Bunsey · 02-01-2009, 07:28 AM

hmm... could be because of the weight on the stump over all this time. I'm not sure what you could do about it to be honest, other than just laying a layer of tissue paper over the bedding to stop abrasion.

hammyham · 02-01-2009, 08:00 AM

i'm not sure it is his weight because he is really small and light ..i will try the tissue under his bed ..thanks

souffle · 02-02-2009, 01:28 AM

I think it would be best to have it checked by the vet. He may have got a small wound in it with running and this has been infected. I would remove the wheel and keep the cage very clean then see the vet. Hopefully some antibiotics will nip any infection in the bud and the rest will allow the stump to heal. If you can give alternatives to the wheel that would be best for now at least.

hammyham · 02-02-2009, 04:57 PM

many thanks for your reply I will bring him to the vet first thing in the morning and get it checked ..I will let you know how i get on

hammyham · 02-04-2009, 12:19 PM

i brought my hamster to the vet Ref his sore back leg ..
he just has a small sore on it and the vet gave me a disinfectant to use it 3 times a day and i have to use a cream once a day ..i am happy its not infected and hopefully it will clear soon..
many thanks for your replys

souffle · 02-05-2009, 04:51 AM

Glad to hear it is nothing serious and good for you getting him vet care so quickly

connie_lan61 · 02-08-2009, 10:22 AM

omg u r so lucky i still live with mi parents but when mi hammie had a sore back leg, mi parents didnt want me 2 take her 2 the vet so weeks passed and mi beloved dwarf hammie died!

i would b willing 2 spend more than $100 if it would have saved her i miss her so much

souffle · 02-10-2009, 06:04 AM

Sorry to hear of your loss connie.
Please could I ask you not to use text talk on the forum as we have many people who do not have English as a first language on the forum who will not be able to understand this. Thank you.