My hamsters leg may be injured

ninaa · 06-18-2021, 03:26 PM

A few hours ago I picked my Russian hamster Nina to play with her for a bit, since it's already dark. My mom also likes to play with her so I took her to the living room. I let Nina crawl to my mom's hand. She tends to bite if she's not comfortable, especially when I carry her mid-air. So she bit my mom, and she let her drop to the floor. I know it was a reflex, but I would even say she fell hard to the floor.

She fell laying down with her stomach, legs spread. I picked her and put her inside her cage. She barely moved. At first it looked like she limbed but after half an hour or so she doesn't seem to limb anymore.

I checked her legs and it doesn't seem like they're injured, though I'm no expert. I'm posting a video, maybe some of you can tell me if her legs are okay. She groomed herself and even scratched her head with her hind legs, and it doesn't seem like they're injured either.

She's running in her wheel now. I think she was shocked and scared at first, but now she behaves normal. I gave her some treats as an apology...

Here is the video: Upload files for free - nina.mkv - ufile.io
(I don't normally handle her like that, it was just to try to show her legs one-handed...)

Imogen · 06-18-2021, 03:46 PM

As you hold her they look kind of fine, though the right one (left when in the video) looks a bit stiff but it's hard to tell; easier to see when they walk/run. As with the running, dwarfs are very fast so it ends up being partly blurry on video but it looked like the leg was going in and then out as she ran (but only saw that once or twice). But don't take that as either bad nor good advice, I really can't tell. Because of their small bodies, of course you will see their legs more when they walk/run because they come out more than a Syrians but I'll leave it up to others to help you determine if the leg is fine.

As with holding hamsters, in future it is best to hold them low. You should never hold a hamster up high as they are unpredictable like any other animal and will want to walk and not stay still (depending on personality). As well, they fall easily off ledges because of their bad eyesight, they can only see 30cm in front of them and then it becomes blurry for them. As well as biting, it is natural for us to flinch when pain is inflicted on us, it's a natural body response. So again, keep them low if they do bite to reduce their fall.

Back to the leg; if you are worried, then it's always best to take your ham to a vet to put your mind at ease and to know that you have got them checked out and ensured they're okay.

ninaa · 06-19-2021, 03:56 AM

She ran on her wheel plate all night long. She didn't look any slower nor in any pain, as far as I noticed. It kinda looks like she doesn't stick out her front right leg as much, and it also looks like she spreads her hind legs more when she's seated, but that may just be me... It doesn't look like any of her legs is broken, but they may hurt? I don't see any swelling either.

I recorded another video, maybe that one will shed some light. I'll try to make another one at night when she's on her wheel. Sorry if it's too many videos but I want to be sure hahaha

Upload files for free - nina2.mkv - ufile.io

ninaa · 06-19-2021, 04:14 AM

Okay, I got another video where you can see her legs a lot better, and she also runs on her wheel. What do you guys think?

Upload files for free - nina3.mkv - ufile.io

Imogen · 06-19-2021, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninaa

Okay, I got another video where you can see her legs a lot better, and she also runs on her wheel. What do you guys think?

Upload files for free - nina3.mkv - ufile.io

She appears to be fine.

But again, if you're worried and feel you see differences the best thing to do is definitely book up a vet appointment! Hamsters are very good at hiding pain when they feel it so if you're worried then get her checked out to ease your mind.

Also, is that her main wheel in her cage? That flying saucer? Hamsters should have an upright wheel as their main wheel and a flying saucer as an added on extra wheel for fun as they need an upright wheel. Just stating that now as I can't see an upright wheel.

As well, how big is her enclosure?

Amethyst_ice · 06-20-2021, 08:26 AM

I can't view the video, better to host it than have ones that need downloaded btw.

However, any leg injuries it is better to remove wheels until healed. And as always, if concerned, a vet trip is the best course of action

ninaa · 06-22-2021, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice

I can't view the video, better to host it than have ones that need downloaded btw.

Yeah, sorry about that. Here's a link to a hosted video: nina4

I included clips walking on a hard surface so we can all see her walking. She doesn't appear to limb, and she's been as active as ever all the time. Doesn't show signs of pain. She looks okay to me, what do you guys think?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice

And as always, if concerned, a vet trip is the best course of action

I know, but I live in a small town and it's hard to find a vet that checks up hamsters

Quote:

Originally Posted by Imogen

Hamsters should have an upright wheel as their main wheel and a flying saucer as an added on extra wheel for fun as they need an upright wheel.

From what I've read, flying saucers are better for hamsters since upright wheels make them curve their spines in a way that isn't natural and that can injure them in the long run. Flying saucers are flatter than wheels.

AmityvilleHams · 06-22-2021, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninaa

From what I've read, flying saucers are better for hamsters since upright wheels make them curve their spines in a way that isn't natural and that can injure them in the long run. Flying saucers are flatter than wheels.

Actually the opposite is true. Flying saucers are what don't allow a natural running position and force the spine to arch to the side, and even the largest ones have significantly less running surface than a properly sized upright wheel - think maybe a quarter of the total diameter if you're lucky!

In the case of a hybrid, an 8-9 inch upright wheel is what you need once your hamster's leg is definitely fully healed, a great example being the Silent Runner(not spinner as silent spinners have their long list of issues from safety to quality related ones) in the 9 inch size. An 8 inch Kaytee comfort wheel would also work in a pinch but the major downside with these is how loud they can be.

ninaa · 06-24-2021, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

Actually the opposite is true. Flying saucers are what don't allow a natural running position and force the spine to arch to the side, and even the largest ones have significantly less running surface than a properly sized upright wheel - think maybe a quarter of the total diameter if you're lucky!

Okay, I'll read upon that. But I'll have to buy a silent wheel cause the one that came with the cage is loud AF hahaha

But anyway, I found a vet that takes care of "exotics". I took Nina and they checked her. Legs are fine, teeth are fine, eyes and skull fine, and no secretion in any holes. She turned out to be just fine! I'm so relieved now