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Old 05-08-2021, 02:50 PM   #1
Ralphieboy
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 22
Default Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

Harry, my Syrian, is nearly 3, so he’s a proper old man, recently we have noticed his back legs seem to splay out when he’s walking on slippery surfaces. He struggles to climb up his plastic ladder in his cage and his back feet seem to curl up. He’s fine when he’s walking in his cage on the sawdust, or on the carpet, where he has grip. It’s hard to explain, I’ve tried to upload a video but it keeps saying “invalid file”
He’s still eating fine and doesn’t seem like he’s in pain, he’s not squeaking or anything.
What are peoples opinions please? Do you think he is okay and just getting old and tired?
Thanks in advance.
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Old 05-08-2021, 03:43 PM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

It's important that you put everything he needs on one level. He needs a bungalow now and shouldn't have to climb up ladders to get to things.

I'd phone a vet though and explain about his back legs. Hamsters are very good at hiding pain and discomfort and Harry may need a painkiller now that he's very old and his mobility is deteriorating.
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Old 05-09-2021, 01:08 AM   #3
Ralphieboy
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Default Re: Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

Thank you for your reply, everything he needs is on the ground floor, water bottle, food corner, wee corner, bed and wheel (not that he uses it anymore). Do you still think I should take the levels out? He has no need to go upstairs, but do you think he would anyway even if it was causing him pain?
I’ll contact the vets tomorrow (today being Sunday) to see what they suggest. I’d hate to think he was in pain but masking it. I don’t put him on the slippery surfaces as it’s distressing to watch him struggle.
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Old 05-09-2021, 02:13 AM   #4
Ria P
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Default Re: Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

Personally, i would take the levels out because hamsters are such determined little animals and sometimes do things just to find out if they can.

When my late Syrian's health deteriorated, i placed his set up on one level. He was a climber not a burrower so wasn't happy at first but soon got used to it because all his favourite things were still there, even very low level "climbing" facilities.

Metacam (Loxicom) is a very effective painkiller/anti inflammatory and can really help an elderly hamster. Harry may have arthritis which is common in older hamsters.

Metacam is known to affect the kidneys longterm but with a hamster of Harry's age the presence is more important than the future.

I'm not a vet so can only advise going by experiences with my own hamsters.
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Old 05-09-2021, 03:25 AM   #5
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

Hi, I just came on to answer your thread but Ria has just said exactly what I was going to say.

You may find this thread helpful when I posted about my elderly hamster Star

Hamster Cage setup for Arthritis
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Old 05-09-2021, 05:12 AM   #6
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

Hello. I personally wouldn’t take him to the vet if he seems ok otherwise. He is very very old at 3! Vet trips can be stressful when he’s enjoying his old age. It is quite common for their back legs to go and can be muscle weakness or arthritis. However if it started after a fall then he should go to a vet as they can have spinal damage from a fall and that can cause pain. But it sounds like he is just fine apart from the back legs.

Yes take the levels out. What I do is actually move one of the shelves right to the top so it’s pressing against the top bars. That way there is no way they can get onto it to fall off - but they can still sit “under” it! With the familiar darker area and familiar smells. They don’t like too much open space above them. Yes they are very determined snd will climb and lose their balance and fall and may even still try and climb bats to get to a shelf if you remove a ramp.

At the same time you can add more enrichment at ground level to make up for the loss of shelves. Any toys from the shelves can be at ground level. And you can add the odd extra tunnel or hidey place. Doesn’t matter if it’s a bit busy. I’d also make sure the water bottle and food are near the house do he can get them easily of he does struggle to walk more. Snd flatten down the substrate so it’s a firm surface to walk on.

With the wheel - can you adjust it so the entrance is level with the substrate or it can be a trip hazard when they try to get out (eg get a leg caught). Our first Syrian still used to like to jump in and run for about 5 seconds a day snd I did this with his wheel.

Every day is a gift at the moment as he is very old and just needs treats and love really x. I would only take him to the vets if you think he is in pain and suffering and that would be to help him on his way probably. Although they can give Metacam for pain if he is not seriously suffering. Signs of pain are - sitting hunched. Ears down all the time and an expression - drawn face with slitty eyes sort of pulled back facial muscles.

Our first Syrian when very old would still happily zip about on the carpet on the level despite his weak back legs.
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Old 05-09-2021, 05:16 AM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

Sorry about the typos- on my phone. Bars not bats! I adjusted the wheel by adjusting the substrate level so it was level. If you can’t do that with your wheel then you could maybe switch it out for a 12” flying saucer- although he may not be able to use that. What kind of wheel is it? An open wheel is safer than the ones with holes in as nothing to catch a leg on when they climb out.
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Old 05-10-2021, 12:32 PM   #8
Ralphieboy
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Default Re: Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

Thank you, it didn’t start after a fall, it’s just happened over time.
I don’t think he uses his wheel anymore, it’s a large plastic one, I haven’t seen him in it for ages, though I suppose he may use it in the night, but I don’t think he does. He generally just eats and sleeps now, we still get him out every night and he runs around like he normal would and he gets his treats, he still wakes up every morning when I’m having my breakfast as he knows he gets a bit of porridge at the same time everyday. His ears are still perky and I don’t think he’s in pain, I would never allow him to suffer.
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Old 05-11-2021, 05:52 AM   #9
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Harry’s back legs aren’t working properly.

He sounds like he is doing fine for an old man You would know if he needed help. There isn't much a vet can do about this, at his age as it is old age rather than specifically medical and there is so little treatment available other than for acute conditions. I think I would only take him to see a vet if he was suffering or injured.

Our first Syrian seemed quite surprised at first when his back legs gave way a couple of times (trying to climb into something) but he soon got used to it and they adapt.
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