Bumblefoot from wheel ridges?

[alpacassei]

One of my most recent rescues, Peach Crumble, has what seems to be Bumblefoot. Which I’ve always associated with wire and mesh wheels but his wheels are the Silent Spinner and Flying Saucer which do have little gripping ridges on the running surface (as does the plastic trixie wheels) though I’ve used them for several years without issue, as have many many others.

It’s possible his previous owner used a wire wheel and the ridges on his current wheels just irritated an old injury but neither me or his vet have noticed any issue with his feet before now.

Does anyone else have a similar experience from using a ridged wheel?

[mangoandmimi]

I wouldn’t have thought those ridges would cause any damage or open any old wounds. I would be more inclined to think it was from other rough surfaces that may have caused a cut and ended up being infected. As it isn’t just from wheels. Eg some of the trixie wooden surfaces are very rough and almost look like they could splinter, or perhaps it was just a freak accident. Hope his foot recovers quickly.

[alpacassei]

Originally Posted by mangoandmimi

I wouldn’t have thought those ridges would cause any damage or open any old wounds. I would be more inclined to think it was from other rough surfaces that may have caused a cut and ended up being infected. As it isn’t just from wheels. Eg some of the trixie wooden surfaces are very rough and almost look like they could splinter, or perhaps it was just a freak accident. Hope his foot recovers quickly.

I always check their wooden toys and stuff regularly for rough patches and splinters and sand them down if needed. The only “rough surface” in his cage is his cork logs and they seem even less likely to cause an injury than the wheels tbh.

I hope he’s better soon too, he’s been through a lot poor hambaby

[AmityvilleHams]

Sometimes metal or other materials can cause cuts and such which can lead to bumblefoot and general foot problems. Those metal bottle holders some people use can definitely lead to a cut if they get climbed on, which I experienced firsthand but luckily that didn't lead to anything worse as I removed it immediately and switched to a bowl.

However, I will say that the Silent Spinner has a separate issue to this which is that it has the potential to come apart in the center and could cause a nail or foot to get caught which could end quite badly! Unfortunately the hamster community is still a bit behind on this knowledge. I've posted on it a little, but the hedgehog community is far more aware of it happening.

I know the horribly noisy nightmares known as Comfort Wheels also have ridges, but I don't think those ridges are really unsafe as much as they just make cleaning more of a pain if you don't have anything to get off any soaked bedding or substrate.

[alpacassei]

I don’t particularly like the Silent Spinners for that reason and I’ve been meaning to replace the two I have with more wooden wheels when I get paid next. It hadn’t come apart but I suppose he could’ve caught his foot in one of the little clip parts

I think its more known about in the hedgehog community since hedgehogs are larger so their weight is more likely to force the two halves of the wheel apart.