Sore feet?

[SnapCracklePop]

We're really worried about one of our roborovski girls, Snap. Overnight, both of her feet have gone red and look really sore. She is still walking, climbing and running... But she is lifting them in an awkward way and when she stands still she lifts her left paw up, not putting any weight on it. Last night, I saw her licking one foot alot.

She lives with her sister, Crackle, who is the bigger of the two. We've seen them have the occasional disagreement, but generally they sleep and live together with no problems.

We're not sure how her feet have got like this, nor what to do about it! Has Crackle done something? Or is it something Snap has done to herself? Any ideas??? We really don't want her to be in in pain

[DrKMcK]

Hello SnapCracklePop. This requires a vet visit, especially because you don't know what actually happened. You do not want this to get worse and a vet can also give her pain meds if it is bothering her. If it is from bites from her cage mate, an antibiotic may be needed too. If it's something going on in the cage itself, might it be something that the other hammy can get? Only a vet can tell you this. There is really no way for us on the site to know for sure what has happened. It would really be guessing. If this is a result of aggression between the hams you might need to separate them. Hope the hams are okay.

[souffle]

I'd agree that you should have this checked out by the vet. Can you check her all over for signs of scabs or blood. The feet ban be bitten in fights certainly. If she has been bullied in to the wee corner she could also have urine burns on the feet. What type of wheel do they have? The can get sore feet from barred wheels or from barred shelves and this gets infected and needs treated.
Hope you can get her checked out x

[Pompompoms]

How are Snap's feet now? As has been said she could well have been nipped, feet are often a target of chasing hams, it could also be something in the set up, or an infection. Did you get her looked at?

[SnapCracklePop]

Thanks everyone,

Snap's feet have recovered... Started getting better before we managed to get an appointment at the small animal specialist. The girls don't seem to be fighting, so we'll keep an eye on them... Found them snuggled up together the other day.