my hamster fell, help

[Flax]

I'm such a wreck right now. I was holding my little buddy Pip last night and when I was putting him back in the cage he jumped and tumbled to the ground from four ft high.

I freaked out and googled internal injuries etc but he doesn't seem to be bleeding or anything, although I know it's difficult to tell cause - internal
For an hour last night he carried on like usual, running around, on his wheel etc. I've only had him two weeks so he's a hyper baby. He doesn't seem to have a limp and I couldn't feel any bumps, and his legs seemed to be all working fine and they didn't feel weird.

An hour later he slowed down and sat in a corner of his cage, which is really unlike his typical behaviour. He usually won't stop for anything. He was scratching/cleaning himself a tonne as well as opening his mouth wide as though he was yawning every few minutes - not a usual yawn. I'm worried this could be a breathing problem although he didn't seem to be breathing fast/hard. A few hours later, like 4am he started running on his wheel as frantic as usual. I felt so relieved - and thought maybe it was just shock.

But this morning he's back in a corner of a cage and breathing hard. I offered him a treat and he snatched it out of my hand really hard, more aggressive than he has ever done before, which is so out of character and if he was worried after his fall about my hands he wasn't post-fall yesterday when i checked him over so I'm scared that's a sign he's hurting./ usually he's desperate to climb on my hands to get time out of his cage. I gave him water too.

I've made a vet appointment for 5:15pm today and it can't come soon enough. My hamster Thor who was so precious to me had to get put to sleep a month because of a tumour and I've only had Pip two weeks and I can't bear to lose another one. He's only fourteen weeks old.

Has anybody else had something similar? Do you think Pip has internal bleeding? Four hours until his appointment time and the wait/suspense is too much

(Also picture is from the first day I got him)

[AmityvilleHams]

It's hard to know if there is any internal bleeding without going to a vet.Prey animals(and hamsters are in fact prey animals)hide illness very well,so it isn't exactly something we can say just by looking at your hamster.The only way to know if your hamster does have an internal injury is to go to a vet,so please take your hamster to a vet as soon as possible.

[souffle]

I think you are doing the right thing in having Pip checked out at the vets. It's not uncommon for them to fall and I'm sure most of us have had this experience before and usually they are unscathed.
There may be some bruising or even a little rib damage and these will heal in time. They vet may give some antiinflammatory like metacam to help the pain.
I hope he gets on OK tonight. Try and keep him nice and calm and rested till you go and let us know how he does x

[pinkneon]

I hope he's ok. It is so scary when they fall. He may be in shock but the vet will advise you better Let us know how he gets on

[AmityvilleHams]

Didn't see the vet part until now,but yes.A vet is really the only way you're going to know,so just be patient and wait until then and you will know once all that is done!

[pinkneon]

Oh, you may know this already, but try to put some of his bedding or substrate into the carry cage. This will help him feel a little safer in there as it will have his scent on it. If the vet isn't too far away he won't really need anything in there unless you want to give him a luttle food or treat or something. I know for longer trips some people also put in a small piece of cucumber as a water source but that might not be needed if it's nearby

[Flax]

Thanks guys! I'll let you all know how he's doing when I come back asap.

Thankfully the vet is just around the corner from my house but I'll make sure he's comfy . If he pulls through this he will be absolutely spoilt rotten the next few days haha.

Just now he moved from the corner to his usual nest, so that's something.

[Rsclio197]

The vet is definitely the way forward on this one. Im sure he'll recover in time but better safe than sorry.

[pinkneon]

You could give him his favorite treat whenhe gets back. He'll probably like that! Does your vet specialize in hamsters, or exotic pets?

[cypher]

Good luck at the vets, hopefully it won't be anything too serious & he'll soon be fine again.