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Old 09-28-2016, 12:56 AM   #1
StarlightSerenity
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Hi guys, long time no see! Hope everyone is well.

Looking for a bit of advice. A local pet store that I get on very well with has recently had to have a leg amputated from one of their hamsters, the op went well (I know the vet, she's excellent with hamsters) and she's recovered quickly. The pet store has asked if I would be interested in taking her on as they want her to go to an experienced home who will look after her well. I'm going to pick her up this weekend. Looking forward to meeting her!

However, I've never owned a three legged ham, it was one of her back legs that had to be amputated. Is there anything I need to be careful of? She'll be moving into an Alaska cage, currently with a 28cm Trixie wheel, will that style wheel be OK? Substrate wise, I'm currently using woodshavings but considering going back to Fitch. Would she be better with Fitch? The cage doesn't have any shelves in it as it had an elderly ham in it, I assume she'd likely struggle getting up ladders etc so I'd be better off not putting in shelves?

I'll be keeping a very careful eye on the stump, I'm not sure how high the amputation was but I imagine she'll will put pressure on the area when moving around. Is there anything other than redness to the area that I need to look out for?

TIA!

Just had a thought - would she be better off with a flying saucer wheel? I could give one of my other Syrians the trixie wheel and put the flying saucer in the newbies cage.

Last edited by souffle; 09-28-2016 at 06:41 AM.
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Old 09-28-2016, 02:59 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Three Legged Syrian

AmyHague had a ham with a leg amputated so she might help, although if was a front not back leg, Stumpy's thread is here if you want to look.

You might have to experiment with wheel v saucer to see how she manages but I was wondering if balance might be a problem in which case maybe the enclosed wheel would be safer?
No experience myself so can't help much but well done for taking her on & giving her the good home she needs.
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Old 09-28-2016, 04:01 AM   #3
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Default Re: Three Legged Syrian

I was think of Stumpy's thread too I think a wheel would be better, but would have slight reservations about the Trixie wheel. I find it has a slight lip which could be tripped over or get caught on, and read elsewhere about an older hamster who died climbing out of one because he tripped and landed awkwardly. I sent for one recently to put in Charlie's holiday cage as his 12" wheel didn't fit, and as Charlie has stiff back legs now I thought it was a bit risk. I went with an open wheel with no lip on it, but it wasn't cheap! There are other options though. Charlie currently has the 12" Silent runner - looks similar to the Trixie wheel but has much larger entrance holes and no lip. I have it screwed to the bars and sits only just above the substrate. He easily hops in and out of that as it's just as easy as an open wheel really. It also isn't cheap unfortunately, at about £25, but it is great screwed to the bars as you can have it wherever you want in the cage and at whatever height you want - it has metal plates as bar attachments which are bought separately and cost another £5 or so but that makes it a £30 wheel.

Silent Runner 12"

Cage Attachment for Silent Runner

The one I got for Charlie's holiday cage was really easy to use and get in and out of. It's the new Karlie plastic wheel 27cm. Like the Karlie wood wheel stand but with a plastic wheel. That works out expensive because of the £8 postage from Germany but the wheel is quite low to the stand and easy to hop in and out of, plus the stand is sturdy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karlie-Diam...+plastic+wheel

A comfort wheel or savic rolly wheel might be fine too - if the bottom level of the wheel is low enough to the level of the substrate so it's easy to get in and out of.

I would have thought Fitch was fine. You can also compress it down so it's firmer and less fluffy.
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Old 09-28-2016, 04:46 AM   #4
StarlightSerenity
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Default Re: Three Legged Syrian

Thanks for the feedback! I remember little Stumpy, he's such a sweet boy!

Just rang the pet store, confirmed that it is a back leg. She's fully healed, finished all medication and is back to normal. She's been using a Silent Spinner at the store absolutely fine but I hadn't thought about the lip on the Trixie wheel, I'll have a look at the links Serendipity, thanks!

Also asked what colour she was - black banded, a colour I have a soft spot for. She's 8 weeks old, born on the 28th of July. She's really tame as she stayed at one of the stores staffs houses while she was recovering and being given meds. Can't wait to meet her!
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Old 09-28-2016, 07:11 AM   #5
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Default Re: Three Legged Syrian

Good to hear how well she's doing & she sounds like a really lovely girl Look forward to seeing her when she's settled in with you.
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Old 09-28-2016, 10:08 AM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Three Legged Syrian

Mind you I'm incredibly cautious lol. The Trixie wheel might be fine if she is fit and energetic. An open wheel does sound easier though Can't wait to see her!
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Old 09-28-2016, 10:12 AM   #7
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Default Re: Three Legged Syrian

Or depending on size the Carolina Storm wheel.They don't really have much of a lip and are completely open,which would be very good for this particular situation!However very large Syrians will not fit,as it is only a 10 inch wheel and Syrians over 5 inches would never fit in that without having problems.
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Old 09-28-2016, 10:37 AM   #8
Pebbles82
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That's a good idea. They are great wheels for a smaller or average Syrian and are height adjustable too. I think they're also expensive to get in the Uk though.
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Old 09-29-2016, 04:18 AM   #9
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Default Re: Three Legged Syrian

Good on you for adopting this little girl and good on the petshop for getting the operation done and also for contacting you.
I wish there were more Petshops like this.
Can't wait to meet her once she's settled in to her forever home with you.
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Old 09-29-2016, 05:02 AM   #10
StarlightSerenity
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Default Re: Three Legged Syrian

I'm going to try her with a saucer to start with, see how she gets on with it and if she struggles get an upright wheel with no lip.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy View Post
Good on you for adopting this little girl and good on the petshop for getting the operation done and also for contacting you.
I wish there were more Petshops like this.
Can't wait to meet her once she's settled in to her forever home with you.
Thanks!

They really are very, very good. They only get their animals from small breeders who they regualarly inspect, ensuring that the conditions of the animals are high and that they are bred responsibly. They only get a small number of animals in, the are kept in decent sized enclosures with good food, wheels, lots of substrate and nesting material. They keep the hamsters for at least a week before rehoming them, handling them daily. They're very picky who they sell them to as well. It's a Pet's Corner store. Highly recommend them.
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