Hi!

[Blackfox]

Hi there! So, I don't actually have a hamster... Yet. I work at a pet store (I know, I hate it) and the other day a woman came in with a Robo hamster she got for her daughter, who must have been about 12, 10 days before. The hamsters back legs were completely non-functioning. We have a veterinary office in our store so I recommended she take it there. She left it there overnight then came in the next day to exchange it because she didn't want to have to take care of it and the vet bills. So, we currently have the hamster in our isolation room and are medicating it per the vet's instructions. I am going to see if I can bring the hamster home with me where it will be loved and taken care of, so I guess I am just asking for advice? He is super sweet and he is still very active; not being able to use his back legs doesn't seem to bother him at all as he still is able to climb into a wheel and run. I will of course ask the vet what she thinks might be best before I talk to a store manager about me taking him in. Advice from some experts would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much!!!

[souffle]

This sort of disability unless he improves is pretty tricky to manage. The hamster tends to have issues with bowel and bladder control and weeing and pooing properly as well as cleaning itself etc. If it drags it's hind quarters they tend to get sores and also urine burns leading to infections which are hard to heal. They can't really lead normal lives to be honest unless the condition is temporary. It sounds as if the robo has been dropped and has a broken spine.
I would consider the quality of life the little one would have and how much time you have to commit if it does not recover any hind movement. If the bowels and bladder are not working it would be kinder to give rest as it will be in pain with a build up inside.
It is a long term job and you need to have somebody there in case it gets in to difficulties like falling over and not getting up again or needing toileted and cleaned.

[EnerHam]

I'm no expert but I recently had a runt who had issues with his back legs, and they are a lot more work than your average hamster.

You'll be cleaning their back ends, vet trips will more than likely be frequent and can get expensive, the cage will need to be set up in a manner that ensures the little one can't injure himself/get stuck anywhere, and watch out with the wheel. If he's dragging his back legs he may end up with friction burns if he runs for long/fast enough.

My little runt (Speedy) would fall into his back and be unable to right himself without assistance, so I had check on him every hour or so in the evening and a few times in the night as well.

It's great that he seems bright and alert now, but if that changes you may want to consider what Souffle said.

Speedy was a Syrian, but he was about the size of a chinese. I got a tonne of support and advice from the kind people here. Maybe take a look through this thread and see if there's anything of use to you there? Some of the issues I faced probably won't apply, but there are some things that might as well and they may give you a good idea of what you'll be up against.

Meet Speedy!

I hope that's helpful.

[cypher]

It's a lovely idea to take this little one on & your heart is clearly in the right place but I think do think souffle & EnerHam have given good advice, you may be taking on more than you realise right now & the little robo may not continue to manage well. I would have a good talk with the vet & see if they have any idea what the problem is & what the long term outcome may be & take it from there.

[Blackfox]

Originally Posted by souffle

This sort of disability unless he improves is pretty tricky to manage. The hamster tends to have issues with bowel and bladder control and weeing and pooing properly as well as cleaning itself etc. If it drags it's hind quarters they tend to get sores and also urine burns leading to infections which are hard to heal. They can't really lead normal lives to be honest unless the condition is temporary. It sounds as if the robo has been dropped and has a broken spine.
I would consider the quality of life the little one would have and how much time you have to commit if it does not recover any hind movement. If the bowels and bladder are not working it would be kinder to give rest as it will be in pain with a build up inside.
It is a long term job and you need to have somebody there in case it gets in to difficulties like falling over and not getting up again or needing toileted and cleaned.

I'll be talking to the vet today. I'm prepared to do what it takes. Someone will always be able to be there in case something happens. Hopefully he has recovered some movement, although I thought the same thing about him being dropped :/

Originally Posted by EnerHam

I'm no expert but I recently had a runt who had issues with his back legs, and they are a lot more work than your average hamster.

You'll be cleaning their back ends, vet trips will more than likely be frequent and can get expensive, the cage will need to be set up in a manner that ensures the little one can't injure himself/get stuck anywhere, and watch out with the wheel. If he's dragging his back legs he may end up with friction burns if he runs for long/fast enough.

My little runt (Speedy) would fall into his back and be unable to right himself without assistance, so I had check on him every hour or so in the evening and a few times in the night as well.

It's great that he seems bright and alert now, but if that changes you may want to consider what Souffle said.

Speedy was a Syrian, but he was about the size of a chinese. I got a tonne of support and advice from the kind people here. Maybe take a look through this thread and see if there's anything of use to you there? Some of the issues I faced probably won't apply, but there are some things that might as well and they may give you a good idea of what you'll be up against.

Thank you! I'll take a look at the thread! What would be a good cage set up and what bedding would you recommend? He's on carefree right now and seems to ne okay but I want to make it as easy as possible. I will hopefully be talking to the vet today about his quality of life and everything that will come with him. Again, thank you so much!

Update!

Today he can use his back legs sometimes, but he's very unstable and wobbly. He can get into a food bowl okay and he can use his water bottle! I can't get a picture to load on my phone but I'll put one up later!!

Also, if I get to bring him home, what kind of bedding and set up would you suggest?

[cypher]

That sounds promising, great news, I hope he is able to continue making improvements.

I'm not sure about US substrates so maybe can suggest the best thing but you'll need something soft enough to be comfortable for him to walk on but firm enough to give him some stability, if that makes sense.
A very basic set up to begin with, just everything on the flat within easy reach, hideouts & a water bottle at a level he doesn't have to struggle to reach, a small bowl might be easier for him & a food bowl, if he does improve you could then add or change things as seems appropriate.

[AmityvilleHams]

Kaytee Clean and Cozy is great,keep it to a small layer around 1" though to make it work for his special needs.I have heard that it can be packed down very tightly though,if that helps!

For a bowl I'd suggest either a very shallow bowl or a flat saucer.

Page Not Found Something like this as a bowl would probably work better than the usual ceramic small animal bowls which would be very high.

Page Not Found This one would need a second opinion but it might work out.

Page Not Found The height might work,does again need a second opinion though just to be safe.

Page Not Found These are very tiny,I had one once but not for a hamster!It is the shortest of the bowls I've linked,but in terms of size it'll probably hold a decent amount of food for a hamster

[Blackfox]

Thank you guys so much!! It definitely makes sense to have something soft but firm. And I figured I would just start out with the bare necessities at first and gradually work it up as he (hopefully) improves. He's climbing in and out of a big bowl now, but I'll see what I can do about getting it switched; I don't have much control while he's still at the store. I got the okay from a manager to bring him home as soon as the vet says he's ready, which could be a few more days still. That gives me time to set everything up!

I never thought about using a reptile bowl but that definitely is an idea! They are all pretty shallow and easy to get in and out of.

Thank you all so much!!

His back left leg seems to be more of a problem than his back right. He kind of hobbles with his right but his left still kind of drags behind. Although, you can't really tell anything from the picture... other than how cute he is

[cypher]

He's certainly cute & very handsome too

[POLAR WHITES]

Aww poor baby I hope he continues to make progress