Jiggy, my Russian dwarf (Winter White)

[Shakudo]

Originally Posted by cypher

Such a cute little guy
Has he been using the sand bath? I wondered if it might be a little on the small side for him to roll in properly.

Yes, he has, I've seen him roll around in it, but have been thinking the same, I might get a bigger dish, I love seeing them bathing.
Jiggy will go to the vet soon, time to trim the nails, I have seen they are getting on the long side and I want to prevent issues.

I am very worried.
Jiggy has been tame and sweet from day 1, and so very cuddly.
I am afraid that when taken to the vet it could be very scary for him and I don't want to change that sweet personality.

However, sometimes it's one of those things I have to take in consideration because the nails do need trimming.

I have provided more things to wear his nails down. Another stone, different bedding, (mini-hemp) willow bridges, all that stuff but it is still necessary.
So next week we might take a little trip.

[cypher]

Try not to worry too much about the vet trip, if you're feeling anxious he will probably pick up on it which won't help.
If you have a vet who's used to handling small hams it really shouldn't be too stressful at all & even if he is stressed a bit by it all a little quiet time to settle down afterwards with a nice treat usually does the trick!

Is he used to being in his carrier? If he is that will make things easier for him, put some substrate from the cage in so it smells familiar to him & he should be fine.
If he isn't used to it you could try putting him in there for a short period a few times, maybe hide a few seeds in the substrate for him to dig around for so it becomes more like play than stress!

I really don't know why but Russian hams nails seem to grow much faster than other hams & most of the usual things people suggest for wearing them down are rarely enough although they do help a bit so either trimming them yourself or getting the vet to do it is usually inevitable with them.

[Cinnamon Bear]

He's a lucky ham to have found such a beautiful home. How did you attach the water bottle, looks like you did a really good job with everything.

[Shakudo]

Originally Posted by Cinnamon Bear

He's a lucky ham to have found such a beautiful home. How did you attach the water bottle, looks like you did a really good job with everything.

That's very nice of you, thank you!

It is a magnetic bottle holder. It's made here in the Netherlands and I use it almost in every glass tank.

[Cinnamon Bear]

That's great to have that available, it's not available here that I know of? I'll have to check e-bay or Amazon. I'd be surprised if I could find one yet though.

[Shakudo]

Originally Posted by cypher

Try not to worry too much about the vet trip, if you're feeling anxious he will probably pick up on it which won't help.
If you have a vet who's used to handling small hams it really shouldn't be too stressful at all & even if he is stressed a bit by it all a little quiet time to settle down afterwards with a nice treat usually does the trick!

Is he used to being in his carrier? If he is that will make things easier for him, put some substrate from the cage in so it smells familiar to him & he should be fine.
If he isn't used to it you could try putting him in there for a short period a few times, maybe hide a few seeds in the substrate for him to dig around for so it becomes more like play than stress!

I really don't know why but Russian hams nails seem to grow much faster than other hams & most of the usual things people suggest for wearing them down are rarely enough although they do help a bit so either trimming them yourself or getting the vet to do it is usually inevitable with them.

Thanks for the reassurance yes he is used to the carrier doesn't like it though. He starts knawing immediately, luckily it's hard plastic.

I'll do that and I hope he will be fine. Thanks again.

[Shakudo]

Hello everybody,

I went to the vet this week. Jiggy was very scared and was trembling all over.
It took 2 people to safely hold him and clip his nails.

The even suggested I'd film it because it wasn't done often
But I didn't because he was afraid enough and I wanted to keep my eye on him.
Everything went well and it took little time for him to return to his happy self.

I changed his cage and gave him some new stuff to play and help distract him from the recent stress.

[Shakudo]

Yummy and a bit big







New playhouse and sleephouse, other ladder, new sand bath lot's to play with...
















That was it for now

[cypher]

lol! @ a bit big that treat thing is bigger than he is! Looks like it proved a great distraction from his stress
Good to hear he got over the vet trip ok even if it was stressful for him.
The new sand bath looks good & he's looking very cute & handsome in his food bowl there

[Hamsterita]

He is so sweet!!

I'm having the same problem with my ham and his nails, and I'm afraid to go with him to the vet because he doesn't like his carrier either and he's not fully tame. As you said, it's something necessary so probably I would go next week, but I'm going to pick some ideas of your set up

The rocks on the cage looks so nice with the hemp and the wooden house. It looks like a true natural theme.