Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Hamster Healthcare

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 05-10-2023, 05:17 AM   #1
thecobra2
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 7
Default How to clean my hamster

My hamster recently had to have his front leg amputated. So now she only has one front paw. I have noticed that she does not look as groomed as before. Do you guys have any advice about how I can clean her or groom her? She does have a sand bath but the area around her face is looking a bit dirty. Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.
thecobra2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2023, 07:15 AM   #2
souffle
Moderator
 
souffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire, UK but my heart lies in Scotland!
Posts: 28,184
Default Re: How to clean my hamster

aww that's a shame. You can use a cotton ball dipped in cooled boiled water and gently wipe the area. Tissue dry then brush with a soft toothbrush.
Another thing to watch is the pouch on the side where the missing paw is. They do use the paw to push food forward and out the pouch sometimes so it can become impacted. Feel along there to make sure that it doesn't seem full all the time and that there is no drooling from the mouth on that side.
Some hamsters cannot use a wheel after an amputation as it breaks open with running so provide lots of alternative enrichment.
souffle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-10-2023, 08:33 AM   #3
thecobra2
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 7
Default Re: How to clean my hamster

That is a great idea! I never thought about that before. I have to give her medicine twice a day so maybe the cleaning can be part of her medicine routine. I heard the same thing about her pouches so my vet recommended breaking up her food into smaller pieces so that is what I have been doing.

Right now she is living in a much smaller cage to limit her movement. I have been keeping the light on most of the time to encourage her to stay inside her hideaway. Do you think this is a good idea?
thecobra2 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-16-2023, 07:48 AM   #4
souffle
Moderator
 
souffle's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Yorkshire, UK but my heart lies in Scotland!
Posts: 28,184
Default Re: How to clean my hamster

I wouldn't keep the light on as it breaks their natural light sensitive rythym. Try extra enrichment like cardboard boxes and tubes to trash. Make treat puzzles using an egg box and scatter seeds round it so she can search for them. Soft bedding should keep her OK for walking around. They usually adapt well to being a Tripaw!
souffle is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
advice, clean, front, groom, hamster

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:50 PM.