Hind Leg Paralysis?

Lilac_Dreams · 09-05-2017, 04:44 AM

So I have a beautiful Syrian Hamster who, this morning started limping out of the blue, so I took him to the vets and they had a feel around and said it doesn't seem like anything is broken at all (they have taken him to X-Ray just to be 100%) there isn't anything wrong with his appetite he is still eating and drinking as well. It can't possibly be from a fall because he has stuff to break his fall and nothing hard to fall on he also doesn't really climb.

It also definitely isn't cage paralysis because his cage is 100x40cm.

Would hind leg paralysis be a possibility if the x-rays come back as normal? He doesn't really fit the age range for it as he is only 3-4 months old and not 6-10 months old. Just kinda a bit stumped here.

Pebbles82 · 09-05-2017, 05:52 AM

If he is only 3 or 4 months old it is not usual then. It can happen as an age-related thing or symptoms of Cushings disease but that would be gradual. If he is limping - it sounds like just one side - one back leg. I would think he may have landed awkwardly or got a leg caught somewhere and tried to pull himself free (wheel stands can be a culprit here - or ramps with gaps in). What wheel does he have?

Lilac_Dreams · 09-05-2017, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

If he is only 3 or 4 months old it is not usual then. It can happen as an age-related thing or symptoms of Cushings disease but that would be gradual. If he is limping - it sounds like just one side - one back leg. I would think he may have landed awkwardly or got a leg caught somewhere and tried to pull himself free (wheel stands can be a culprit here - or ramps with gaps in). What wheel does he have?

Yeah, in the Hamsterlopedia it said usually 6-10 months for HLP.
He has a 12 inch trixie wheel that is on the bars and not on the stand. It is definitely just one leg, it's the right one.

The only thing he could have caught it on is the bars of the Alexander which I don't doubt is possible because it's the same bar thickness as the Varazze and my dwarf hamster has caught her legs on those bars before so I had to put her in a Duna Maxi instead because she did it twice in the space of 3 days, luckily no injury. I wonder if that is the reason why?

cypher · 09-05-2017, 07:13 AM

If nothing's showing up on examination or x ray my first thought would be possible tendon damage from a fall or getting a foot caught in the bars the way you describe.
Hopefully if it is that it will heal with time but it can take a while.

Lilac_Dreams · 09-05-2017, 07:19 AM

Just got off the phone to the vets, he can't see anything on the x-ray no breakages, he said it's probably just a sprain and wants him in a smaller cage for a few days with no wheel. No sure if he's gonna give pain meds or not, I'm picking him up in a little bit so will see then.

Although I will say, setting up a tiny cage is so difficult, his house barely fits in there let alone his toys

Pebbles82 · 09-05-2017, 09:21 AM

A hospital cage sounds like a good idea. Just put lots of substrate and nesting material in, and a chew stick. A cardboard box would do for a house. One familiar smelling toy might help. And just explain to him it's temporary

I think they listen to your tone of voice. It is quite possible to climb and get a foot caught in the bars. They can even catch a leg climbing out of a wheel when it's running if it's higher than the substrate eg.Chains on hanging toys are often a culprit for hamsters getting a foot caught and hanging by a broken leg, but sounds like it isn't that.

If he fell from the roof if climbing he could have landed on the ramp and bruised one side maybe so could be an idea to look at any fall risks. You could hang something over the ramp possibly if it's that.