Midnight's hurt his paw,

[SecretlyDying]

Hi i'm looking for advice as my youngest ham (he's about 4 months old, and a Syrian) seems to have hurt one of his back paws - it looks like a cut inbetween one of his toes but also looks like the bottom of the paw is missing a layer of skin? and some of his nails, mainly one looks overgrown/bent. Will he need to see a vet? He hates being handled so i couldn't get a picture and this is whats worrying me as he still dislikes being handled - i can't hold him to clean the wound, check it or anything like that so i'm.not sure if the vet could - last time i took my dwarf to her she could barely keep up with his speed. What should i do? Any help appreciated

[Nancy's Hamsters]

I'm afraid you will need a vet to look at the paw and they will most likely give you antibiotics to be sure the wounded paw doesn't get infected. You may have to get on heavy gloves and handle him so he becomes used to the handling as to dispense medications properly you'll have to drip it into his mouth which of course will require handling.

[Thin Lizzy]

I'm with Nancy, when you take him to the vet, offer to hold him for her and wear gloves. It's better you holding him because he knows you. I know he doesn't like being picked up but, try and stay calm when you do as hamsters can sense if you're nervous.
I hope his paw is ok.

[SecretlyDying]

Thank you both for your reply, i'll tell my dad when he's awake later and we'll try get a vet appointment sorted - its a busy day today (results day) but i'll try make sure Midnight is sorted too - will gloves stop him from jumping as this is what he does to get out of being handled, he jumps and forces his way out - never bites, could the antibiotics not be mixed with babyfood or would this lessen the effect? Also should his wheel be removed until his paw is better?

[Thin Lizzy]

If you use rubber gloves - the ones used for housework this'll give you a better grip.
Just make sure if you find gloves in the house they haven't been used for anything like bleach.
It depends how serious the paw is, usually if the antibiotics is by mouth, you can get little food syringes or you could put it into his fave fruit and vegetables.
Have you got a suitable sized carry box? You might need to hold him while keeping him in the box to prevent him jumping.

[SecretlyDying]

Thanks for the quick reply Lizzy - we dont own any rubber cleaning gloves but i can easily.go buy some, thanks for the tips on the antibiotics - the box i have is a small plastic container i bought and drilled holes in, it isnt that big tbh - i'll take a picture now and post it in a minute I don't mind having to find/buy another tub if you think i need something a bit bigger

The diy carrier -

[Thin Lizzy]

I used to use one like that. I got a bigger one. But, it should be ok, if you've got a big cardboard box, you could put him in the carry you already have and put it in the bigger box so that when it comes to the vet, you can take him from the carry box and put him in the biggest cardboard box, to get a hold of him.

[SecretlyDying]

Again thanks.for your reply i really appreciate it - i'll look for a cardboard box but if not i know of a plastic storage container i can buy (or borrow) - had my.eye on one for awhile tbh as the carrier i have now was made specifically for dwarfs - do you think his wheel should be removed?

[Thin Lizzy]

No problem, I couldn't sleep and always end up on HC.
I would remove his wheel until his paw gets better.
If you leave it in, he'll continue to use it which could slow down the healing.

[SecretlyDying]

Thank you, I'll remove it in a minute then Thank you for all your help