Hamster dragging back leg

[Nube]

Our (elderly would probably be a correct description him being around 2.5 years old) hamster intermittently drags one of his back legs. He does not appear to be in pain but when we let him out he often catches it on things (my jumper, carpet etc). But then sometimes he will manage to put it in correct position (facing forward rather than dragged behind) and use it normally, although it is pretty obvious both of his hind legs are not very strong.

So I wonder if we should stress him out and take him to the vets or leave him be? I cannot see him surviving any major procedure, but if it is a small matter of giving him some medicine for a week and leg would recover... He seems to be reasonably happy otherwise. Sleeps rather a lot and eats less but still active and curious...

The problem is also finding a good vet. We have been to few around here and were only once lucky with a locum. As a matter of fact I have tried mediation service to complain about one vet who told us fur loss in a Syrian was because he was lonely and we needed to get him a companion. It's a different story but i am still pretty disgusted because the practice never replied to my or mediator complaint, at which point the mediators said they could not force them to engage and gave up.

So waking hammie up in the middle of the night and scaring him senseless to be prodded by an idiot who has never seen a hamster seems rather cruel... Any advice?

[cypher]

If he's managing to do his normal hamster things & doesn't seem to be in any pain with this at his age I would be inclined to leave him be for now, rearrange his cage if need be so he doesn't have to struggle to reach food or water & be sure there's nothing he can fall from.
He really is a good age so best to just keep him comfortable unless he shows signs of pain or distress I would have thought.

[Pebbles82]

Agree with Cypher. Two and a half is very old and they can get arthritis or other reasons for stiff back legs. I would also remove any levels in his cage and have everything at floor level.

[Nube]

Thanks! You confirmed my own thoughts. He has his food and drink on floor level. He still has the second level and seems to enjoy going there so am not sure I still need to remove it?

[cypher]

I would just keep an eye on things, if he's able to safely use the second level then it should be ok to leave it & just remove it if it becomes difficult for him or it looks like he could hurt himself trying to get up or down.

[dreamtree1234]

I am sorry to hear that your sweetie is dragging his back leg. I agree with what the other members said about not taking him to the vet unless he shows any signs that things are worsening. I would be watchful of him using his second level and take it away if he shows any signs that it becomes difficult for him. Good luck; I hope he continues to do well and be with you for a long time.

[Nube]

Thanks all. I have removed the carpet from the living room on which he often caught his nails which did not help with the limp leg. He had a long and energetic run around yesterday, and has been climbing onto the cushion I was sitting on and begging for food, so I do not think he is in any particular pain. His lower limbs are definitely weak, a couple of times he rolled onto his back and had difficulty getting upright, and sometimes he dragged the right one behind.
I have also bought a stone slab today, will wash and sterilise in the oven and put next to his water bottle to ensure his nails get shorter. They are not very long but I do not risk cutting them as with his damaged legs am very wary of potential accident.
I will consider removing the second level when cleaning the cage next (which we do very seldom these days to minimise disruption and stress - he is well toilet trained so I just do spot cleaning now and then). Am just worried he will be a very disappointed hamster if we do that...

[Pebbles82]

I think it would be a good idea to remove the second level. I did that when our hamster got a bit wobbly with his back legs, because I didn't want to risk him tripping or falling. He may not be so disappointed if you compensate for it. When I took the levels out I added some of the toys from the level to the floor, added a new big tube along one side (tied to the bars) and a little hammock in one corner. I also hung a large hammock from the top (he couldn't get up there, but if yours can climb maybe not a good idea). It was so he still had something "overhead" instead of the level so he didn't feel too exposed.

Anyway the end result was a luxury bungalow set up

I also got a couple of new bits - a hyacinth ball and stuck pumpkin seeds in it for him to have fun chewing at, a couple of new chews as well. So he enjoyed the new one level set up so much he wasn't bothered about the shelf not being there. If anything he came out and scooted around more on one level, because he felt a bit safer under the hammock. One level I just moved up to roof level so it gave some shelter but couldn't be climbed onto.

It might depend what cage you've got as to what you can do to make up for losing the level. It's one reason I love the Barney cage - still lots of floor space on one level when there are no shelves.

I did a video about it In the video he still had a couple of steps up to his flat house roof, which was a low level, but I took those out shortly afterwards as he was so wobbly on his legs. I added the cork log for something to climb over that wasn't too high and he liked that, plus it makes a tunnel and it's an interesting texture.

He took really well to the changed set up. So add more enrichment and he'll not mind about the shelf I reckon.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NIxHqvr9wTY

[Coco61]

Hi Nube, when my Syrian boy reached about 2 years 5 months, I started making the sort of adjustments that Serendipity did for her boy. I took a little bit of time over it so as not to upset him. I left in some of the upper level stuff but removed the way of getting up there. He sniffed around where the way up used to be but didn't seem upset. At that age they are getting rather wobbly and it is better to be safe.

[Thin Lizzy]

It's always hard when they get older and you need to make adjustments. Like Serendipity & Coco, I made little changes to Archie's cage. I remember telling Archie that these little changes would make it easier and safer for his mobility.