URGENT: Broken leg? - Page 3

Becca27 · 06-13-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnickersTheFirst

Hmmm...I'm no vet but I can't see a cone being much use on a hamster.

I've not used the porridge one myself but I can't see why it wouldn't be safe. My lot like the chicken ones best.

I don't know if they have much hope of it working but theres a picture above of a hamster wearing one. I hope they don't have to amputate

I checked for onion, garlic and spices and i think il give him a bit of the chicken and rice to try

should i just serve it cold?

SnickersTheFirst · 06-13-2011, 01:46 PM

I can just see it being quite distressing and it's not usually done for hamsters. Maybe that's just me? Hamsters recover so well from aputations though plus he'll only need to be put under once, if the cast goes wrong again then he will need be under anasthetic for a third time to sort something out. But like I said, I'm not a vet but that's how I see it.

Yeah, that's fine. I usually put the extra in an ice cube tray then pop one out when I need it. Stick it in the microwave for 10 seconds or so and it's ready for them. It lasts longer this way.

souffle · 06-13-2011, 01:53 PM

I really would seriously consider amputation. I know this sounds awful but I seriously cannot see how a hamster can keep a cone on and eat, curl up comfy and most important bend down to re-eat the special poos that they must do to keep the bowel healthy and to have proper nutrition. If he doesn't do that he will get diorrhoea. I would remind the vet about this. It would get completly stressed out in a cone.
I'm not a vet either but I imagine the foot / muscles/ tendons are now badly damaged and even healing the bone won't help the foot probably to function properly. The bones are really tiny and so hard to fix.
Hamsters do really well on 3 legs once they recover so don't worry about this. I would get him back tommorrow and ask the vet if they have had any experience of success with this procedure.
Things to stengthen the bones are calcium enriched dog biscuits and milky foods. You could get some lactol powder to make the porridge with. Plain cooked chicken and cheese are good too.
Good luck

Becca27 · 06-13-2011, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnickersTheFirst

I can just see it being quite distressing and it's not usually done for hamsters. Maybe that's just me? Hamsters recover so well from aputations though plus he'll only need to be put under once, if the cast goes wrong again then he will need be under anasthetic for a third time to sort something out. But like I said, I'm not a vet but that's how I see it.

Yeah, that's fine. I usually put the extra in an ice cube tray then pop one out when I need it. Stick it in the microwave for 10 seconds or so and it's ready for them. It lasts longer this way.

yeah, makes sense, maybe on wednesday it might have healed by its self (optimism!) or they might just decide to amputate anyway. my poor baby

Becca27 · 06-13-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

I really would seriously consider amputation. I know this sounds awful but I seriously cannot see how a hamster can keep a cone on and eat, curl up comfy and most important bend down to re-eat the special poos that they must do to keep the bowel healthy and to have proper nutrition. If he doesn't do that he will get diorrhoea. I would remind the vet about this.
I'm not a vet either but I imagine the foot / muscles/ tendons are now badly damaged and even healing the bone won't help the foot probably to function properly. The bones are really tiny and so hard to fix.
Hamsters do really well on 3 legs once they recover so don't worry about this. I would get him back tommorrow and ask the vet if they have had any experience of success with this procedure.
Things to stengthen the bones are calcium enriched dog biscuits and milky foods. You could get some lactol powder to make the porridge with. Plain cooked chicken and cheese are good too.
Good luck

See, i don't want to be a hassle since they told me to come back on wednesday... And i dont really want to be telling a professional what to do, even if i do agree that a cone will probably irritate him

souffle · 06-13-2011, 01:58 PM

You can't leave it till Wednesday Becca - if the cast is off the foot may get gangrenous if he starts biting at it. It won't heal by Wednesday - it takes weeks for a bone to knit and it must be held stable all that time and in position.
See above for my comments re eating.

SnickersTheFirst · 06-13-2011, 01:58 PM

I don't think bones will heal in two days I'm afraid, especially with no form of support. I'd try and get an appointment for tommorow if you can to prevent anything from worsening.

Amputation is quite sucessful and tbh it's your only option, I really would discuss it with your vet. If you don't feel comfortable doing that then I really would seek another vet. I've never heard of a cast being offered in the first place.

Becca27 · 06-13-2011, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnickersTheFirst

I don't think bones will heal in two days I'm afraid, especially with no form of support. I'd try and get an appointment for tommorow if you can to prevent anything from worsening.

Amputation is quite sucessful and tbh it's your only option, I really would discuss it with your vet. If you don't feel comfortable doing that then I really would seek another vet. I've never heard of a cast being offered in the first place.

See, i live in a small town, there's not really a large selection of vets

Hmm im getting worried, i don't wont to put it off incase it gets infected but im one of those people who worry about being seen as 'forward' or rude

I can't phone until tomorrow morning anyway so il leave it tonight and just give him his babyfood, and see how it is in the morning?

SnickersTheFirst · 06-13-2011, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca27

See, i live in a small town, there's not really a large selection of vets

Hmm im getting worried, i don't wont to put it off incase it gets infected but im one of those people who worry about being seen as 'forward' or rude

I can't phone until tomorrow morning anyway so il leave it tonight and just give him his babyfood, and see how it is in the morning?

If you can get him seen tommorow that would be great.

Just explain that you are worried about the cast/cone distressing him and maybe ask if amputation is an option. Just say that you've been reading up overnight and it seems a better option.

They understand that owners are worried about their pets and are always open to suggestions.

**LocoRocoPanda** · 06-13-2011, 02:14 PM

I'm terrible with vets. I tell them what to do all the time, with my cat Kanda I just walk in there tell them what to give me and I'll be on my way again, but they understand because it's your pet, you're the best one to judge the options for them. If it was my Izuna-Wheatley I'd get him seen tomorrow morning and have them amputate the leg. It's not worth the suffering in my opinion. =/