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Old 07-25-2019, 03:24 PM   #1
Mother_of_Hammies
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Default Hamster behaviour - arched back

Okay I’m back again to pick your knowledgable brains! Just a quick one this time!

So recently Yuki walks around the cage with her back slightly arched and a bit of a waddle. A little while back she had a series of fits that affected her back legs I believe, but has had nothing since then and is back to walking fine.

She doesn’t do this all the time, like when I hold her or she’s out of the cage but here and there does this odd little walk - to me it looks like she’s puffing herself up to look bigger, the walk is a bit grumpy and kind of reminds me of the walk guinea pigs do when they feel like they need to show off.

I check them constantly and she has no injuries and looks well. Does not appear to be in pain, no squeaking and eating/drinking as normal and wheel is open and does not arch her back. So is this a behavioural thing??

Thank you for any help!
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Old 07-26-2019, 02:32 AM   #2
Shannonmcn
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

As far as I'm aware this posture does indicate pain. As prey animals they hide their discomfort so as not to look more vulnerable to predators so this may very well be the only sign you get that something is bothering her. It may be a sprain or some stiffness, or it could be an internal issue so the only recommendation I can make her is that she sees a vet.

Hamsters "show off"/ show aggression by rearing up when they're threatened, not hunching over so I wouldn't apply guinea pig posture here at all.
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Old 07-26-2019, 08:24 AM   #3
Artur26
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

I recommend you to visit an exotic pet's chiropractor. He should examine your hamster and do the proper diagnosis.
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Old 07-26-2019, 09:26 AM   #4
alpacassei
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

I’ve noticed hamsters develop a similar walk when they have lower body pain, most commonly a UTI (which is easily treated with a round of antibiotics) but could also be sign of Pyometra which is unfortunately often life threatening without surgery. I recommend visiting a vet as soon as possible.
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Old 07-27-2019, 12:34 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

A hunched back is a sign of pain. I would ask the vet for pain relief medication when you go if there is nothing they can do - then see how your hammy is when taking it.
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Old 07-27-2019, 02:35 AM   #6
Mother_of_Hammies
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

Hello everyone thank you for your words!! Thankfully I’ve got a vet appointment on Monday for Marnie so I’ll ask about Yuki when I go. She was examined briefly and given the ok but I’ll see if she can thoroughly examine her when I go Monday.
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Old 07-27-2019, 09:59 PM   #7
Schwartzie
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

I’m sending you positive vibes and hope that they can find the cause when you go tomorrow. Please let us know the outcome.
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Old 07-27-2019, 10:02 PM   #8
Schwartzie
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

Quote:
Originally Posted by Artur26 View Post
I recommend you to visit an exotic pet's chiropractor. He should examine your hamster and do the proper diagnosis.
What’s an exotic pet chiropractor? Do you get those in Portugal? I’ve only heard of animal chiropractors.
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Old 08-11-2019, 08:02 AM   #9
Mother_of_Hammies
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

Quote:
Originally Posted by Schwartzie View Post
I’m sending you positive vibes and hope that they can find the cause when you go tomorrow. Please let us know the outcome.
Thank you for your comment! They had a good look at her but could not find any pain or reaction. Said to give her some of the antiflammatory meds to see if it helped but she still walks funny but no indication that it is hurting her or affecting her.
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Old 08-11-2019, 10:58 AM   #10
Schwartzie
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Default Re: Hamster behaviour - arched back

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mother_of_Hammies View Post
Thank you for your comment! They had a good look at her but could not find any pain or reaction. Said to give her some of the antiflammatory meds to see if it helped but she still walks funny but no indication that it is hurting her or affecting her.
Pleasure, I’m glad you got to the vet and was able to get her checked out. Could it not be arthritis?
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back, walk, bit, she’s, arched, cage, time, reminds, thing, behavioural, pigs, kind, guinea, bigger, grumpy, feel, show, puffing, eating/drinking, pain, squeaking, injuries, constantly, open, wheel

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