30 Days of April

[Vectis Hamstery]

Thankfully I'm feeling better today as it was finally - at 3 weeks old - time to snuggle this little bunch
P1300623 by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

It's been a bit of a long haul to achieve this duprasi litter but it's totally worth it. Dad is Dobby and great-grandad was Sirius, my first ever doop. Mum is Lyra who has been ever so attentive and is still waiting on them hand and foot. Bless her, she's looking a little ragged at the moment. I bet she'll enjoy the moment she can get her tank back all to herself again!
P1300624 by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

Lyra seriously injured a back leg at the start of the year, just as I was thinking of pairing her with Dobby. I'm not sure what she caught it on in her tank as there was nothing obvious. She started to nibble at the leg in her discomfort despite antibiotics and painkillers so she underwent surgery to have it removed. This is her the day after her op:
Lyra by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

She bounced back surprisingly fast and is the best doop I own for climbing - she can climb mesh panels in bin cages super quick which is why she was put in a glass tank to have pups! Within a couple of days she had started removing all the cable ties from the mesh panel on her hospital bin cage. This was her work one night:
16387223_1221401071241926_8941825574518026497_n by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

She grew really well and is a sweet calm girl, so as her leg was an injury rather than something genetic I decided to pair her with Dobby when she was fully recovered and in good condition. She had pups spot on her first possible due date and she's been a fantastic mum.

[Vectis Hamstery]

Originally Posted by Thin Lizzy

As for Rogue, 9 miles on the underwater treadmill puts me to shame lol! I hope he got a tasty reward afterwards.

Originally Posted by Hamsterita

Hydrotherapy sessions for dogs. OMG. Rogue is a very spoiled dog!!

Rogue enjoys his treadmill sessions as he gets lots of liver paste (one of his favourite treats) as motivation. He's having the hydrotherapy to help strengthen his knees as he has patellar luxation. He's had 2 months so far and the vet has re-examined him recently and it's reduced the degree already. We're hoping to avoid the need for surgery.

Originally Posted by BorisPasha

Your little herd of Campbell/hybrids fascinates me, they look so lovely and I'd love to hear some tips on how you keep them living together happily

Originally Posted by Hamsterita

Do All those campbells live together? WOW!

I have a group of 5 and two pairs (plus the mum and her litter). I avoid having anything that one hamster can claim or defend in the cage, particularly in the early stages after clean out or moving them into a new cage. I do any increases in cage size in slow stages, starting very small with a new pair (e.g. when pairing for mating) as I have done with mouse and Chinese hamster introductions. I have plenty of spare cages though so should anyone fall out, I can house them all separately.

One of my girls did not like the husband I borrowed for her and would not settle with him regardless of the usual tricks to try and help. Poor Mr Tumnus (so named by his owner because he's blue fawn in colour) was safely removed from her presence and she's not had another husband, though she was living with her mum before and has gone back to living with her happily since. Mother and daughter like to give me matching scowls from their nest when I dare to disturb their sleep unless I offer treats!

[Thin Lizzy]

I've heard good things about the hydrotherapy. Great that there's been improvement in Rogue's knees and that it continues so no surgery is required.

[Drago]

Poor little Lyra Glad to hear she's all healed up though! I have a soft spot for Duprasis, unfortunately they're so hard to find in the US. Most states they're illegal I believe (except of course the state I live in for whatever reason) they're such charming creatures, wish I could have one!

[cypher]

Oooooh doop day!
The babies are just so adorable, what a lovely little litter! So nice to see Sirius living on in the new generations.
Dobby is a very handsome little man!
What a shame about Lyra's leg, good to see she's made a full recovery & it isn't holding her back though.

[Hamsterita]

oh poor rogue, I didn't know he had a problem with his knees. I hope he keeps improving and surgery won't be needed.

It's incredible that you manage to keep large groups of hams. Good job!

I had to google what a duprasi exactly was. They are lovely, it's sad to hear about Lyra but I'm glad she recovered fast after the surgery

[BorisPasha]

Awww the baby duprasi are so cute Lyra sounds like such a character and her little face is so sweet. I'm sorry to hear about her leg but it is good she made such a fantastic recovery and is clearly being a fantastic Mum to her little ones

Thanks for sharing your tips on keeping pairs/herds

[Vectis Hamstery]

After going to dog training this morning, I spent the afternoon in the hamster room having a tidy, sort and general pootle about. Normally I do the feeding on a rotation each day, but today decided to feed everyone as I'm working late tomorrow.
Stuff corner by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr
They all got some treats - monkey nuts and dried herbs - and had their water bottles cleaned. I mixed up a new batch of food last week and made more than would fit in the food bin, so I had the plastic tub with the overflow (but not any more! All of that went into the hamster cages this afternoon ). As part of my pootle I tidied the 'stuff corner' and put the spare toys and wheels in the toy box. I put new pegs on one naughty girl's cage bars - I'm glad she's moving home soon as she's a real terror for bar twanging!
no such thing as too many pegs by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

Rylstone didn't know what bit of food to choose first, and was pleased to have her wheel available for running in (she likes to bury it). She had a stroke last month so is rather wobbly and walks in circles when stressed so I try to keep her nice and calm.
P1300704 by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

I also got some nice pictures of this lad. Do you recognise him?
P1300699 by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr
P1300698 by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

He's Scrappy, one of the Lilio! litter. He was 13 days old when he had his back leg amputated by my vet. It can be surprisingly hard to spot that he only has three legs unless you lift him up!
P1300696 by Vectis Hamstery, on Flickr

[Drago]

Awe poor little Scrappy It's good to see though that he's unaffected by the lack of a leg! Stuff corner reminds me of my closet lol

[Coco61]

Really enjoying the month Vectis. Catching up with old and new friends. Sorry about Rylstone but glad she is managing ok. Also glad that Scrappy is doing so well.