Cut on Nose from Wheel?

bogart · 02-25-2017, 12:13 AM

Hey guys,

I'm still trying to piece together what happened, but Rufus (my bald buddy) has quite the cut on his nose. Fortunately, it looks like it's scabbed over and healing well. Unfortunately, he won't sit still for me to get a picture or look at it for more than a quick moment.

I pulled apart his tank and check all his toys to see what happened. The only place I found blood was on his Wodent wheel. It looks like he somehow (not sure how?) cut himself on the plastic clip that holds both ends of the track together. I've never heard of that happening to anyone before.

I've pulled his wheel out until he looks mostly healed. Is there anything I should do or worry about? I was basically just going to leave him be unless it starts to look worse.

AmityvilleHams · 02-25-2017, 12:31 AM

It does seem a bit strange that the Wodent Wheel would cause an injury!Not sure if anyone could get pictures showing the difference between how Wodent Wheels and Silent Runners are attached but that may be important,as one is definitely safer and this could be yet another reason for the Silent Runner to be better(and potentially something those with Wodent Wheels should change to where possible).

The only change that I could see being necessary would be a safer wheel.Again I'm not certain on the difference in attachment with Wodent Wheels and the Silent Runner,but I do know the Silent Runner is much safer in a few ways regardless of that.

cypher · 02-25-2017, 01:14 AM

If his nose is healing ok then you don't really need to do anything.

Wodent wheels have been used by so many for so long that unless the wheel was faulty or not put together properly it does sound highly unlikely that he would cut his nose on that somehow so I would check the wheel to make sure it is assembled correctly & there's no faults or rough edges that shouldn't be there.

Drago · 02-25-2017, 05:51 AM

I agree with cypher, since his cut is healing up fine, I wouldn't spend too much time worrying. Just make sure there's no other hazardous things within his cage. Have you checked around to see if he could possibly have gotten the injury during out of cage time? He's a furless hamster from what I gather from your note, you should share some pictures of him!

bogart · 02-25-2017, 07:23 PM

I tore his whole cage apart and the only thing that had any blood on it was the wheel. The wheel itself looked fine. I pulled it apart, cleaned it, and put it back together.

I'm treating it as an isolated incident for the moment. Both hamsters have Wodent wheels and we've never had a problem in the one plus year since we bought the first one.

I was able to snag some pictures this morning. Rufus woke up when I went in to feed the cat and was slightly more cooperative to having his picture taken.

Drago · 02-25-2017, 07:42 PM

He's such a cute little guy! I have a soft spot for hairless critters, they're ugly in an adorable way

cypher · 02-25-2017, 09:53 PM

Aww he is a sweet little guy.
Even though you found blood on the wheel with just about anything being a hazard to hairless hams it could have been something else that would appear harmless to any other ham but he looks fine so hopefully he'll stay that way & won't cut himself on anything again.